Pictures & talking points from Reds’ final pre-season friendly

Liverpool ended their hectic pre-season campaign with a 3-1 victory over Darmstadt at Deepdale on Monday evening.

Goals from Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz propelled the Reds to a comfortable victory and Jurgen Klopp can now switch his focus to Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday.

Here’s a look back at the talking points from the game.

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An outrageous goal from Luis Diaz to cap off a sensational summer from the Colombia international.

Diaz flicked on Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner to net the third of Liverpool’s three goals in the second half, flashing the sort of confidence that will undoubtedly have Chelsea, and the rest of the Premier League, quaking in their boots.

After injuries derailed his momentum last season, Diaz looks ready to rediscover the form from his first few months at Anfield.

After makeshift defensive midfielder Curtis Jones was ruled out with a knock, Alexis Mac Allister was given the task of replacing Fabinho at the base of midfield.

The summer signing was typically brilliant, controlling possession and dictating Liverpool’s play, but there are obvious concerns over whether he would be able to dominate against a higher calibre of opposition.

This isn’t Mac Allister’s position, and it’s certainly not why Liverpool signed him, but Klopp will be relieved to know he has another potential option to solve his midfield headache.

Liverpool’s attack has been superb this summer but their defence continues to lag behind, and that was on show as the Reds conceded after ten minutes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new attacking freedom has upset the entire balance of this Liverpool defence and what will likely be Klopp’s preferred back five – Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson – often struggled against the Bundesliga newcomers.

Klopp has a real challenge on his hands to sort this out.

Just the seven assists for Mohamed Salah this summer to go along with his two goals.

Salah has looked excellent this summer but appears to have discovered a creative side which has not always been on show from the Egyptian, and Liverpool look even better for it.

The Reds’ front line is overflowing with players who can score goals, so if Salah can transition into a master creator, they’ll be almost impossible to stop.

Few youngsters have taken advantage of their opportunities this summer quite like winger Ben Doak.

Starting on the same side of the pitch as Salah was always going to make things difficult for the young Scot, but Doak has relished the battle and really has stood out at times, showing a willingness to play in different positions if it means an easier route into the first team.

Doak is far too good for youth football and serious consideration must be given to either a permanent promotion or a loan move.

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