Liverpool‘s second friendly of the day saw them draw 0-0 against Las Palmas on Sunday evening. The Reds played the La Liga club at Anfield behind closed doors just hours after a different squad beat Sevilla 4-1 at the same stadium but in front of fans.
In the absence of supporters against Las Palmas, there was also an absence of intensity in the first half in the Merseyside sunshine.
Arne Slot’s team, which included Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez getting their first outings of pre-season, upped the tempo after the break. But they were unable to find a goal before their performance petered out again after substitutions.
Express Sport rates and slates the Liverpool players after their largely forgettable final friendly of the summer…
Caoimhin Kelleher – 6/10
Dropped one first-half cross and was thankful to his defence for clearing it. Soon after made a good save low at the back post to deny Alex Suarez. Held well from Alberto Moleiro second half. Looked good with the ball at his feet.
Conor Bradley – 6/10
Got forward at every opportunity and a real threat on the overlap. Stung the palms of Jasper Cillessen with a shot from inside the box late in the second half when he might have scored. Suffered a late knock but ran it off.
Nat Phillips – 6/10
Didn’t always look comfortable with the ball. Was more at home in the duels, especially aerially. Left bloodied after one second-half tussle. Subbed off on 67 mins.
Ibrahima Konate – 7/10
Saw a lot of the ball but his best work came off it. A good challenge on Marvin Park to thwart a Las Palmas counter-attack one of the highlights. Took the captain’s armband after Robertson went off and got a vital touch on a cross to prevent the away team scoring towards the end.
Andy Robertson – 7/10
Skippering the side, the Scot looked sharp considering he’s only just returned from injury. Some good overlapping runs and crashed a shot off the post after finding himself on the edge of the box. Brought off on 60.
Curtis Jones – 6/10
Didn’t have much impact in the first 45 despite some nice touches here and there. Livelier second half from his deeper role when he dictated the tempo a bit more.
Wataru Endo – 6/10
Sluggish to begin with but improved. Got further forward than usual and created a chance for Gakpo in the first half before seeing a header saved second half. Pressed well to win the ball high up for a Nunez chance.
Ben Doak – 8/10
A player believed to be available for transfer, 18-year-old Doak was Liverpool‘s brightest by far. Some exciting mazy runs down the right-hand side and cutting inside into the box as he displayed his trickery and pace. Looked the likeliest to break the deadlock and was unfortunate a team-mate blocked one of his goalward shots second half.
Harvey Elliott – 6/10
Dangerous in possession when he found pockets of space between the lines and a lovely lofted pass into Doak for a late chance. Looks like he’ll get plenty of minutes in the No.10 role under Slot.
Cody Gakpo – 5/10
Positioned on the left wing in his preferred role but not involved enough. Wasted a good first-half opening and was otherwise unable to get shots away at goal. Subbed off on 67 mins.
Darwin Nunez – 5/10
Guilty of some frustrating decision-making and poor passing. Scored an offside goal and then held up a good counter-attacking opportunity by delaying a pass to Gakpo for far too long. Should’ve scored second half. Subbed on 67 mins.
Substitutes
Calum Scanlon – 6/10
Replaced Robertson on the hour mark. Didn’t get too much chance to attack.
Amara Nallo – 6/10
Replaced Phillips. Saw a good amount of action late on.
Tyler Morton – 6/10
Replaced Gakpo. Accidentally blocked a goal-bound Doak shot.
Harvey Blair – 6/10
Replaced Nunez. Didn’t get involved much.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk