Liverpool 3-1 SV Darmstadt 98 — Player Ratings

Liverpool's final pre-season game was a cracking, dominant 3-1 win over Darmstadt, and while the club's defensive frailty remained evident, the plethora of exciting attacking talent at Jurgen Klopp's disposal was also on full display.

An incredibly attacking starting XI saw Liverpool get off to a blistering start with a flurry of early opportunities.

Just five minutes in, Mohamed Salah was granted one of the easiest goals of his Liverpool career to date. A Dominik Szoboszlai corner dropped perfectly to the Egyptian in the box, who made no mistake in poking it into the bottom corner to give the Reds an early lead in their final pre-season fixture.

That lead was extended soon after, as Salah latched on to a poor ball in the Darmstadt defensive third and threaded in Diogo Jota, who slotted home calmly.

However, this effort was ruled out instantly as Mathias Honsak broke down the other end from kick-off and dispatched an effort past Alisson Becker to half the deficit. If there ever was an opening 10 minutes to summarise Liverpool's upcoming season, it was this one - it is going to be goals galore, at both ends of the pitch.

Despite plenty of chances, and an overall dominant performance, throughout the remainder of the half, Liverpool failed to extend their lead and walked into the dressing room 2-1 up, with the game far from over.

The second-half picked up where the first left off, with Liverpool in the driving seat in terms of chances. However, every time the counter attack was on, the Reds looked shaky.

In the 52nd minute, Liverpool very nearly conceded the equaliser with some truly calamitous defending, and if not for Alisson Becker characteristically making himself big in the box, it would have been 2-2.

Liverpool extended their lead once again in the 58th minute courtesy of a magnificent finish from Luis Diaz. Yet another dangerous from Dominik Szoboszlai (in his final touch of the game before being subbed off) fell nicely to the Colombian, who produced a beautiful acrobatic finish into the top corner. Classic Diaz.

After a flurry of substitutions, Liverpool's control went up several more gears. The likes of Ben Doak, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez were electric and full of energy, and when combining with the control of Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, it was truly brilliant viewing.

While Jurgen Klopp's substitutes failed to add to the scoresheet, they also didn't concede and their overall performance was certainly a positive one - rounding off a neat 3-1 win in Liverpool's final pre-season game.

With the right additions before the transfer window closes - and yes, this is a necessity - the club has a lot of strength in depth, particularly from an attacking sense, and Liverpool fans have a lot to be excited about going into the 2023/24 season.

That's Liverpool's pre-season campaign done and dusted. Next up - Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday August 13th at 4:30pm.