Saturday 29 July 2017 22:38, UK
Dominic Solanke scored his second goal of pre-season as Liverpool eased past Hertha Berlin 3-0 on Saturday.
The summer signing nodded the Reds in front in the 15th minute at the Olympiastadion, having been called into the starting XI as a late replacement after Divock Origi pulled out with a tight hamstring.
Solanke then played a part in setting up Georginio Wijnaldum to score the second, before Philippe Coutinho, named as captain for the day, lofted a ball over the top for Mo Salah to make it 3-0 after half-time.
The win continues Liverpool's unbeaten pre-season campaign and should provide more optimism for the campaign ahead, with several new signings impressing in a good all-around display.
Perhaps with recent speculation over his future in mind, Jurgen Klopp handed the captain's armband to Coutinho, with the Brazil international playing on the left of the front three in the first half. Sadio Mane also started as he made his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in April.
The lively Mitchell Weiser dragged an early shot wide for Hertha, who finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season, before Vladimir Darida shot at Simon Mignolet.
But Liverpool broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when Solanke looped a header over Rune Jarstein from Adam Lallana's chipped cross.
The Reds looked in control of proceedings and Mane volleyed over from inside the box. Hertha's best moments came down the right, with Ondrej Duda seeing a shot deflected wide after Weiser beat Ragnar Klavan to the ball.
Wijnaldum made it 2-0 when he fired in from the edge of the box after Solanke pressed Fabian Lustenberger in the corner and forced a mistake.
Salah, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge were introduced at half-time along with Andrew Robertson, making his first appearance after his move from Hull.
Liverpool dominated the second half and Robertson shot at the keeper before Firmino saw an effort tipped over.
Robertson then provided an overlapping run down the left and put in a well-directed cross that Salah could not quite turn in at the back post.
Salah did net in the 62nd minute, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper after an inch-perfect pass over the top from inside his own half by Coutinho.
Firmino and Sturridge went close to extending the lead as Liverpool saw out a comfortable win.
Firmino, Sturridge and Salah all looked threatening after coming on at half-time, while Coutinho was composed throughout and played a brilliant ball over the top for the third goal.
But Solanke takes the honours after catching the eye in the first half.
The striker, signed this summer from Chelsea, put the Reds ahead with a clever header that looped over the goalkeeper. He then helped set up the second by pressing Lustenberger in the corner and forcing a mistake.
It might only be pre-season, but Solanke is showing signs that he could be a good addition for Liverpool.
Liverpool stay in Germany for a friendly against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, August 1.
