Liverpool V Athletic Bilbao: Five things we learned as The Reds end their pre-season with impressive win

Goals from Roberto Firmino, Ben Woodburn and Dominic Solanke were enough to claim victory for Jurgen Klopp’s team

Liverpool completed their pre-season tour with a deserved victory over Athletic Bilbao in Dublin this evening, with two of their most promising youngsters completing a 3–1 win.

Roberto Firmino opened the scoring with a first half penalty, having been hauled to the floor by Bilbao defender Inigo Lekue. Liverpool had shaded the opening exchanges and deserved their lead, yet familiar issues in defence allowed Bilbao back into the contest before half-time.

Dejan Lovren failed to deal with a through pass from midfield, allowing Inaki Williams wrestle past him to comfortably slot the ball beyond a hapless Mignolet. From that point Athletic Bilbao grew into the game and ended the half the stronger side.

Jurgen Klopp changed his entire team at half-time, Mignolet the only player to appear again for the second half and this second eleven dominated Bilbao for the remaining forty-five minutes.

Liverpool’s youngest ever goal scorer Ben Woodburn gave his side the lead shortly before the hour mark and ten minutes from time new signing, nineteen year-old Dominic Solanke from Chelsea, completed a deserved victory.

Here are five things we learned from Liverpool’s defeat of Athletic Bilbao at The Aviva.

Salah shows his worth

Perhaps the last thing Liverpool needed this summer was another silky attacking player, however it’d be hard to argue against the acquisition of a player of Mohamed Salah’s capabilities for a club record £36.8 million, a deal which may prove very shrewd business in the madness of the current market.

The Egyptian winger looked dangerous throughout the first half and was involved in much of Liverpool’s positive attacking play, looking a severe threat in the early stages in particular.

Roberto Firmino appears to have struck up an immediate understanding with his new team mate, the two combing with a host of one twos in the opening ten minutes before slotting through Divock Origi, who could only rifle his shot wide.

A side boasting the combined threats of both Salah and Sadio Mane can expect to terrorise the majority of Premier League defences this season, and a quality signing such as the twenty-five year old Egyptian can only strengthen the Merseyside’s title push.

Milner deployed in Midfield

In the absence of Adam Lallana, who has been ruled out ‘for a significant period of time’ through injury, Jurgen Klopp deployed James Milner in the center of midfield, what many believe to be his best position.

The Yorkshire man brought a welcome robustness to the midfield against Bilbao. Always seeking position, Milner looked comfortable moving forward amongst Firmino and Salah, but also showed real purpose and tenacity while tracking back, something Klopp may cherish in helping out his defence.

It has been reported that Lallana will miss out on the opening three months of the season. If so, Klopp’s plan may be to play Milner in midfield and settle for Alberto Moreno filling in full time at left back.

There could be worse alternatives, as on this showing, Milner injected real grit and energy into Klopp’s midfield.

Who’s Number 1?

Who will wear Liverpool’s number one jerseythis season still appears unclear. Simon Mignolet started in Dublin but failed to really convince once again. He was shaky in possession in the opening few minutes and sent some needless jitters around The Aviva when he dawdled in possession.

As half time approached and Bilbao came forward with greater regularity he twice failed to come and claim balls that rightly should have been his.

Loris Karius watched from the bench for the full ninety minutes, so you would expect that it will be the Belgian who will be given the nod against Watford next week. Yet Liverpool fans won’t be thrilled by the prospect of approaching a season, in which they hope to challenge for the title, with the question of who’ll feature in goal so up in the air.

If, in the opening weeks of the league, Mignolet displays the lack of divisiveness that was on show in the Aviva, Karius may get his second chance.

No Coutinho, no problem

Phillipe Coutinho was absent due to injury as speculation regarding a possible transfer to Barcelona continues to circulate. The common consensus is that Liverpool are confidant the Brazilian will remain at Anfield for another season at least. The strength of Barcelona’s interest would also appear questionable, as no concrete bid or enquiry has come from the Catalan club, as of yet. The transfer window however, has plenty of time to run.

Should Liverpool lose Coutinho, this year or next, they may have a palatable replacement in the form of seventeen year old Ben Woodburn. The Welshman was introduced by Jurgen Klopp at half time and deployed in Coutinho’s usual midfield berth.

Woodburn looks to be a very real talent, displaying a skill and confidence only sporadically seen from players of his age. He took his goal with impressive aplomb and though he may not be the finished article Klopp requires just yet, he has repeatedly proved, as he did at the Aviva, that he is a properly exciting talent for the future.

Defence still a worry

Liverpool’s weak link last season was unquestionably their defence. Andrew Robertson was signed from Hull City for £10 million and is expected to offer cover for at left back, but greater reinforcements were expected. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who impressed in the second half of last season, will feature more regularly at right back, and was solid in the opening forty five minutes here.

However following another shaky defensive display that saw Dejan Lovren concede possession far too easily, Klopp may go back into the market for a center back.

With a quality central defensive acquisition, you might begin to consider Liverpool very serious title contenders.