Bayern Munich 0 - Liverpool 3: Reds stun Audi Cup hosts as Sadio Mane shines

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah goals put Liverpool well in control by half time.

And a delightful Daniel Sturridge chip secured the win - although Liverpool face a headache over his fitness as he appeared to pull a muscle when through on goal.

Kop boss Klopp said this would be a good test with the new season just around the corner and his side began their examination against one of Europe’s top clubs in impressive fashion.

They were ahead after just eight minutes as Roberto Firmino dispossessed Corentin Tolisso before sliding in Mane.

The Senegal star found the net via the hands of Bayern keeper Sven Ulreich as it was a case of Liverpool’s pace being very frightening as thunder and lightning descended on the Allianz Arena.

The storm had followed a hot day in Munich but not as hot as Liverpool’s fantastic four going forward.

The now fully fit Mane, Firmino and new signing Salah led the line with Philippe Coutinho offering his support from a slightly deeper midfield role.

Coutinho is certainly not playing like a man agitating for a move to Barcelona despite the Catalan giant’s interest.

He had a part in the second goal as he started the move that also included a superb flick from Mane – who missed the tail end of last season with a knee injury - out to Alberto Moreno in the 34th minute.

The Spain defender – who looks set to leave Anfield this summer following the arrival of left-back Andrew Robertson – fired over a deflected cross that was nodded home at the back post by Salah.

Bayern have struggled so far in pre-season with defeats by AC and Inter Milan as well as Arsenal.

While new arrival James Rodriguez looks to be taking his time to settle in on this performance and Chelsea target Renato Sanches struggled when he came on for the injured Thiago early on.

So Liverpool cannot take this as a definitive indicator for the season ahead but the signs are good so far.

They still showed some vulnerabilities at the back on the rare occasion Bayern managed to threaten.

It is still clear to see why Klopp is keen to bring Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool this summer.

But – for now at least – this is his team for next week’s Champions League play-off and Watford on August 12 in their Premier League opener.

That is where the real tests will come despite A grades so far in pre-season.

There was a third goal ruled out for offside when Adam Lallana obstructed Ulreich – who was starting ahead of the injured Manuel Neuer – as Marko Grujic fired home follow substitute Ryan Kent’s cross.

But that third would come with six minutes to go as Sturridge raced through to get on the end of Ben Woodburn’s ball before lifting it over Ulreich.

The injury-hit striker immediately looked uncomfortable though and Dominic Solanke replaced him moments later.

Klopp will hope the injury is not serious and Sturridge is unlikely to feature when Liverpool face Atletico - another of Europe’s best - in the final of the Audi Cup tomorrow.