Liverpool concluded the UK leg of their pre-season tour with a 2-0 away win against Huddersfield Town, Marko Grujic and Alberto Moreno on the scoresheet as the Reds made it four wins from four.

The first half was definitely the more livelier of the two, with a strong Liverpool team putting Huddersfield under immense pressure, and the fact that the score was only 1-0, thanks to Grujic's goal, at half-time didn't give suitable evidence to their dominance.

Mass half time changes saw the second half take on a flatter feel, but there was something rare to see, with 18-year-old 'keeper Shamal George coming on as a striker for Liverpool after Lucas Leiva got injured, with the Reds' outfield changes all already made. Moreno added a late penalty to cap things off. 

Mane impresses early on, with a good goal ruled out

Sadio Mane was bright from the outset, troubling the Huddersfield defence with his pace. Cutting in well from the right hand side, the winger unleashed a low left footed shot, which flew just wide of the goal.

Minutes later, the Senegal forward was unlucky, having a goal disallowed. Huddersfield 'keeper Joe Coleman was uncomfortable in possession as Mane pressed him, the Liverpool player managing to get a toe to the ball, diverting it into the net. However, the referee gave Coleman the benefit of the doubt, giving a foul against Mane.

Mane's tackle on Coleman put the ball in the net, but it was ruled out (photo: Getty Images)
Mane's tackle on Coleman put the ball in the net, but it was ruled out (photo: Getty Images)

In truth, the home side were lucky to not go down to 10 men when Philippe Coutinho flicked the ball over last man Mark Hudson, readying himself to run past the defender and go through on goal. Hudson brought him down cynically, but avoided a booking, likely due to the nature of the clash.

Karius forced into action before Grujic strikes

That incident did happen after Loris Karius had been forced into his finest save of pre-season so far. Diving well to his left, he tipped a goalbound effort Joe Lolley around the post, keeping his 100% clean sheet record so far. 

The opening goal did come just past the half hour mark, Marko Grujic scoring his second in a week. Mane slipped Roberto Firmino in down the right hand side of the area, with the Brazilian cutting the ball back across the box for Grujic, who was there at the right time to rifle home on his left foot. Two in two games for the young Serb, who celebrated with the passion of a man who'd just scored in a Champions League final.

Coutinho misses from the spot

It should have been two minutes later when Mane was brought down by Coleman in the area as he went to skip round the 'keeper, who redeemed himself by saving Coutinho's resulting penalty. Incidentally, Coleman was yellow carded for that incident, as was Tommy Smith for a poor tackle on Alberto Moreno shortly after, in a half where the Championship side weren't afraid to put themselves about.

The second half started with a very flat feel about it, a raft of substitutons made by either side quashing the free-flowing football we'd seen in the first half. The biggest development of the first 15 minutes or so was an injury to Lucas Levia, who pulled his hamstring, reducing Liverpool to 10 men as they'd already made all their available outfield changes.

Shamal George on...

Well, they were down for 10 men for a matter of minutes, before academy 'keeper Shamal George came on up front, replacing Lucas to restore the Reds to 11. Pre-season, eh?

Things almost got even more strange when a cute ball through from Ryan Kent found George one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the linesman's flag prevented the surprise substitute from being able to register a shot.

Shamal George made a surprise appearance as a striker (photo: Getty Images)
Shamal George made a surprise appearance as a striker (photo: Getty Images)

Moreno penalty caps off another win

Liverpool did eventually get their second goal of the game, Alberto Moreno scoring from the penalty spot, ensuring that Jürgen Klopp's side finally scored a spot-kick in pre-season, at their third attempt.

Ryan Kent had Martin Craine for pace in the area, the defender hauling Kent down with a foul, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Whilst the Liverpool fans booed at Moreno, rather than Shamal George, picking up the ball, the Spanish full-back did the business to seal a 2-0 win. 

Up next for Liverpool, America, with the squad set to fly out later this week. 

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