Liverpool and SpVgg Greuther Fürth put on an entertaining closed-door friendly for the supporters watching at home. The team combined for 7 goals in the second half with Darwin Núñez netting a brace and Mohammed Salah also finding the back of the net and dishing out a pair of assists in the second half alone. But when the dust settled, the teams had to compromise for a 4-4 draw.
First Half
Liverpool earned a corner in three minutes and Ben Doak missed an early opportunity, but the Reds were still off to a bright start. Luis Diaz stole the ball at midfield at the 7th minute, and made a push toward goal, forcing a save.
The shots kept coming for Liverpool as Doak put a shot on frame in the 15th minute. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Diaz tucked home a shot in the bottom corner for a 1-0 Liverpool lead. Moments later, Andy Robertson nearly doubled the lead but his shot hit the side netting. Cody Gakpo put a shot high near the half-hour mark and Diogo Jota hit the post in the 38th. As a result, Liverpool took a 1-0 lead at the break.
Second Half
Disaster struck for Liverpool early in the second half. A free kick by American International Julian Greene found the back of the net. It was originally given as an own goal, but the tally was eventually added to Green's ledger. Either way, the match was level at 1-1 in the 48th minute.
The game did not stay level for long, however. Darwin Núñez scored thanks to a nice pass from Mohamed Salah in the 50th minute. The duo linked up again in the 59th minute on a similar play as Salah once again found Núñez in an open space for an easy finish and a 3-1 Liverpool lead.
From that point, things fell apart for the Reds. Lucas Petkov pulled a goal back in the 69th minute in spite of appeals for offsides. Armindo Seib netted the equalizer for Furth in the 74th minute. Sieb scored again in the 79th minute to give his team a 4-3 lead.
It looked as if Liverpool were going to go down to a shocking defeat but once again Salah and Núñez linked up to save the day. This time it was Núñez who provided the assist for the Egyptian King who was waiting on the back post for a tap in in the 89th minute to tie the match at 4-4. Núñez nearly delivered another moment of magic but his stoppage-time shot was saved and Liverpool were forced to settle for the 4-4 draw.
Second Half Chaos
The second half of the match was a fun one for fans to watch as the teams combined to score 7 goals. That means someone scored every six minutes. Jürgen Klopp can not be too happy with that, but considering the game was played on a wet pitch and a new back line played in the second half, a draw is understandable but no less disappointing.
The Salah- Núñez Conection
Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez combined to score all three of Liverpool's second-half goals after coming on at halftime. I realize this came against a lower-division side, but if the pair can develop that kind of chemistry against Premier League competition, the season will be a strong one for Liverpool.
A Tale Of Two Halves
These preseason friendlies are less about the final score and more about how the team performed. The first half was vintage Liverpool, controlling possession and a nice buildup to get their goal. They still ended the game leading in all the statistical categories, but the lack of cohesiveness on the back line is concerning. Liverpool keepers also only had one save on five attempts which I am sure will also be addressed.
LFC Globe Verdict
It's hard to know what to make of this one. On the one hand, Salah and Núñez showed that they can be an unstoppable force this season. Also for the second match in a row, the Reds have scored a late goal and that will do nothing but build confidence for similar situations when Premier League play begins. On the other hand, the team did give up four goals. It will be interesting to hear what Klopp has to say in his press conference.
The second-half performance from Núñez and Salah means they both deserve recognition. They seemed to be on the same page from the moment they stepped on the pitch together as halftime substitutes.
What's Next
Liverpool embarked on their Asian Tour. Their first stop will be Singapore to face a familiar foe in Leicester on July 30th. Kickoff is set for 10:00 BST (5 AM EST) and will stream via Liverpool's official service, LFCTV GO. The paid service is essentially available worldwide.
Goals
Greuther Fürth
- Julian Green 48'
- Lucas Petkov 67'
- Armindo Sieb 74'
- Armindo Sieb 77'
Liverpool
- Luis Diaz 22'
- Darwin Núñez 50'
- Darwin Núñez 59'
- Mohamed Salah 89'
Substitutions
Greuther Fürth
- Damian Michalski for Gideon Jung HT'
- Kerim Calhanoglu for Tim Lemperle 64'
- Oussama Haddadi Damian Michalski 64'
- Armindo Sieb for Dennis Srbeny 64'
- Lukas Petkov for Marco Meyerhofer 64'
- Dickson Abiama for Robert Wagner 75'
- Jomaine Consbruch for Simon Asta 75'
- Devin Angleberger for Branimir Hrgota 87'
- Sidney Raebiger for Julian Green 87'
Liverpool
- Darwin Núñez for Luiz Diaz HT'
- Mohamed Salah for Diogo Jota HT'
- Lewis Koumas for Ben Doak HT'
- Curtis Jones for Cody Gakpo HT'
- Harvey Elliott for Trent Alexander-Arnold HT'
- James McConnell for Alexis Mac Allister HT'
- Kostas Tsimikas for Andy Robertson HT'
- Jarell Quansah for Virgil van Dijk HT'
- Joel Matip for Ibrahima Konate HT'
- Joe Gomez for Conor Bradley HT'
- Adrian for Alisson HT'
- Callum Scanlon for Curtis Jones 75'
- Bobby Clark Havey Elliott 75'
- Melkamu Frauendorf for Lewis Koumas 75'
- Marcelo fo Adrian 75'
