Liverpool capped off their pre-season in style with a pleasing win over German Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt, after goals from Mo Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz saw all of the Reds’ front three score.
Jurgen Klopp’s side fielded a team that could be expected to start the Premier League opener at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Though Curtis Jones was not fit enough to start meaning Alexis Mac Allister played in the holding midfield role.
And though questions will still be asked of Liverpool’s defence, their attacking play was accomplished and this was a good workout for Klopp’s men.
Mail Sport was at Preston’s Deepdale for the match - it was played here due to stadium developments at Anfield - and here are five things we learned…
Red-hot Jota on fine form
Diogo Jota has perhaps been the standout player for Liverpool this pre-season, with another goal here to add to a fine tour of Singapore for the Portuguese.
Jota spent large chunks of last season on the sidelines with a couple of lengthy injury lay-offs, but will have a crucial role to play this coming campaign.
He started both matches of the Singapore tour on the left wing but spent most of this game as a No 9, with Mo Salah and Luis Diaz either side of him.
And it was a pleasing outing for Jota. The 26-year-old led from the front with his pressing, and was at the heart of every Liverpool attack with fancy link-up play and clever runs off the ball to create spaces for team-mates.
He is almost guaranteed to start at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as Liverpool open their Premier League season against Chelsea, and him being back to full fitness will be like a new signing for Klopp’s men.
Diaz has point to prove
Like Jota, Diaz came into this pre-season with a point to prove after an injury-hit campaign last year. And it feels like this coming season could be pivotal in shaping Diaz’s future at Anfield.
A dazzling dribbler of the ball, Diaz can easily skip past two or three defenders - but one still feels the Colombian leaves something to be desired when it comes to finishing.
If he can add goals and assists to his all-round convincing attacking play this season, he could be a devastating player for Klopp.
This was a very good outing, though, with Diaz taking his goal exceptionally well after a fierce corner from Dominik Szoboszlai. Diaz could have added more as he continued to get in dangerous positions.
Midfield travails
A theme of this summer has been a lack of midfielders for Liverpool, after the unplanned exits of former captain Jordan Henderson and fellow experienced professional Fabinho.
Fans have worried about their lack of a No 6 midfielder after three bids have been turned down for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, with Curtis Jones playing in the holding role in both friendlies on the Singapore tour.
But Jones did not start this match after picking up a minor knock, meaning Alexis Mac Allister started in the deep-lying position.
The Argentine, an attacking midfielder by trade, did little wrong and dictated play from deep, but it is a worrying sight for Reds fans on the eve of the league season to note how thin they look.
Gakpo’s versatility crucial
Cody Gakpo played in midfield alongside Szoboszlai and Klopp is said to love his versatility, with the Dutchman now playing on both wings, as a central striker and in a deeper role.
He told Mail Sport last week that he cares little for where he plays, as long as he’s on the pitch - but his versatility is making his case to start games stronger.
Gakpo played well here, with several searing runs from deep, and it feels the deeper position allows him to get on the ball more and impact games.
Doak is a star in the making
Klopp has given minutes to many youngsters in pre-season but the shining light has by far been Ben Doak, the young Scottish winger.
After scoring against Leicester and impressing with a lightning-quick cameo against Bayern Munich in Singapore, Doak came on again here and caused all sorts of problems for Darmstadt’s defence.
The 17-year-old played on the right wing in place of Salah after the Egyptian took a rest in the second half, and showed his innate desire to run at defenders with direct, tricky darts into the box. If for better finishing, he could have added an assist.
With Liverpool playing in the Europa League this season, Doak will expect to get some minutes on Thursday nights with Klopp unlikely to risk his big-hitters.
After signing from Celtic for just £600,000 a year ago, it has been some rise for Doak in the last 12 months - but judging by his pre-season showings, this is only the beginning.