Liverpool made it three preseason victories on the bounce with a convincing 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic on Sunday afternoon.
It
was a day for positives as goals from Danny Ings and 16-year-old Ben
Woodburn saw Jurgen Klopp's side run out deserved winners at the DW
Stadium -- with Woodburn continuing to startle at such a young age and
Philippe Coutinho returning to Liverpool action in encouraging fashion
The
Reds' starting forwards looked intimidating for their Championship
opposition, with Coutinho -- making his first preseason appearance of
2016-17 since returning from international duty -- and Sadio Mane often
interchanging with Roberto Firmino, who was operating as a false nine.
Liverpool
only listed eight substitutes due to injuries, so Joel Matip, Loris
Karius and Connor Randall appeared for more than the usual 45-minute
stint that has been required in the previous two friendlies.
Coutinho made a welcome arrival to preseason action by testing the
woodwork twice in the opening quarter of an hour. The Brazilian hit the
crossbar from a free kick four minutes in before striking the post after
displaying some exquisite, trademark footwork.
But the visitors
were given a scare in a tight first half when new goalkeeper Karius had a
lapse in concentration almost let Wigan in -- which will have come
about given Liverpool's total dominance.
Jurgen Klopp's side
continued to control proceedings after the break. However, their
struggle to break down an entrenched Wigan side continued. Following his
return from long-term injury, Ings looked his usual, energetic self and
he opened the scoring 19 minutes from time with a collected finish over
the goalkeeper.
Liverpool quickly doubled their lead when
Woodburn -- fresh from his goal against Fleetwood Town earlier in the
week -- displayed the poise of a veteran to calmly roll the ball into
the back of the net and make it 2-0.
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