Reds hit Tranmere for six in pre-season clash

Liverpool began their 2019/20 pre-season with a 6-0 win over neighbours Tranmere Rovers.

In a time of cricketing success, Liverpool aptly hit Tranmere for six in a comfortable pre-season victory at Prenton Park.

Liverpool began the match with a youthful eleven sprinkled with valuable experience, with the likes of James Milner, Adam Lallana and Simon Mignolet in the starting eleven.

They began the match with a fluid tempo, one and two-touch play to maintain possession against Micky Mellon’s compact Rovers side. Youngster Yasser Larouci came close, with his effort touched over the bar by ‘keeper Scott Davies.

And it wasn’t long before Liverpool got the breakthrough though. After an excellent square ball by wonderkid Rhian Brewster, forgotten man Nathaniel Clyne picked out the top-corner with a typical golfing fade of a shot.

Only four minutes had passed, and Tranmere were already struggling to cope with the swooping Scouse swarm on the attack. A slip from Joe Gomez did allow a chance for Paul Mullin though, only to be blocked by the England international at the next attempt.

Brewster, who is highly rated by Jurgen Klopp, then bagged a brace in the remainder of the first half. The first came after interchange between Larouci and Milner saw a cross cut back, before Wilson chipped back for the U-17 World Cup winner to nod home. He doubled his tally after anticipating captain Milner’s effort to bundle home a few minutes before the break.

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Jurgen Klopp made eleven changes at the interval, yet the goals didn’t stop in the second period. Last year, powerful midfielder Curtis Jones duly impressed in pre-season. He got this one off to an excellent start too, finishing off good work from the second-half captain Divock Origi and Ben Woodburn.

Origi, just 24 hours after signing a four-year contract extension with the European champions, clinically put Tranmere to bed after a stunning touch and finish to make it five.

The sixth was converted by fox-in-the-box Bobby Duncan, who capped off a mazy run from impressive teenager Ki-Jana Hoever. A special mention to Dan Atherton (Liverpool academy ‘keeper), who fulfilled his dream of playing for the Reds, although it did come in an outfield capacity, playing number ten in place of the injured Paul Glatzel.

Overall, a cracking start for the Reds. They head to play Bradford at the Northern Commercials Stadium on Sunday.

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