Thursday 3 August 2017 09:22, UK
Having dismantled Bayern Munich 3-0 on Tuesday in an exciting display of pace and verve, Liverpool never quite reached the same levels on Wednesday night as they played out a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the final of the Audi Cup, before losing on penalties.
Here are some of the talking points to come out of the game...
For somebody still just 17 years old, Ben Woodburn's display in Munich was superb.
Starting on the left wing, Woodburn featured for the whole of the first half before being replaced as part of a mass of Liverpool changes at the break.
The young Welshman had the bravery to get on the ball time and again, while his neat touches and composure in tight areas belied his tender years.
He linked up well with Sadio Mane on several occasions, while he was part of Liverpool's two clearest openings in the first period, putting in a sublime cross which Dominic Solanke narrowly headed wide, before attempting an audacious volley himself, which flew past the post.
It's no exaggeration to say he was one of, if not the most creative players for Liverpool on the night. Hugely promising.
Like Woodburn, Emre Can was replaced at half-time. But unlike his teenage team-mate, Can went off after a noticeably sub-par display.
The midfielder, who is still yet to sort out his contractual situation with the club with his current deal set to expire next summer, looked lethargic and was often wasteful in possession.
Deployed alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and behind Adam Lallana, Can was entrusted to be the playmaker of the side from deep, but knocked several balls straight out of play and was not at the forefront of Liverpool's attacking moves.
The unheralded Marko Grujic fared far better when he was brought on, dictating the play and creating the penalty from which Liverpool equalised with a fine cut-back from the right flank.
Can's performance begs the question as to whether he will fit into Liverpool's team this year? On the evidence of tonight, he is unlikely to be at the front of what is a long central midfield queue at Anfield, while it seems unlikely he will play as a wing-back again.
An issue which hampered Liverpool's campaign last season was the size of their squad, and with Champions League qualification, they are going to have even more high-quality games to contend with this year.
Klopp said earlier in the window that many had ignored Liverpool's shrewd business in the summer, but he will undoubtedly be looking for more reinforcements between now and August 31.
Mohamed Salah has looked a superb signing, and without him Liverpool lacked the pace and thrust they have exhibited in attack during pre-season to date.
At the back, Ragnar Klavan played a couple impressive diagonal balls off his left foot, but was caught badly for Atletico's opener through Keidi Bare and looked leaden-footed all evening, which will be a concern.
The Reds may have signed Andrew Robertson to fill the left-back slot, and he looked bright in the second half, but the incumbent in James Milner looked uncomfortable and was frequently exposed down the flank by Argentine Angel Correa, which again will be concerning for Klopp.
Likewise, Jon Flanagan failed to stand out, while Joe Gomez was another who made several mistakes at centre-back in the first-half, and never looked comfortable at right-back in the second.
The performance was, on the whole, a disjointed one, which is perhaps understandable given the number of changes made to the team.
Liverpool are still unbeaten over 90 minutes throughout the summer though and will be aware that with their best team on the park they will be a match for anybody.
Tonight did highlight, however, that they are not yet the finished article.
