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Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 20, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
LL

0-2

 
FT(HT: 0-1)
Grujic (31'), Moreno (90' pen.)

Live Commentary: Huddersfield Town 0-2 Liverpool - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Huddersfield Town 0-2 Liverpool - as it happened: ID:277121: from db_amp
Relive Sports Mole's text commentary of the pre-season friendly between Huddersfield Town and Liverpool at the John Smith's Stadium.

Liverpool have claimed their fourth pre-season victory with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's stadium this evening.

Marko Grujic scored in the first half, but Philippe Coutinho squandered an opportunity to double the Reds' lead before the break as his penalty was saved by Joel Coleman.

After wholesale changes from both sides, the tempo dropped, but Alberto Moreno managed to round off the win from the spot kick in the 90th minute.

Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's text coverage below.

Evening everyone! We are still a few weeks away from the serious action getting underway, but pre-season is in full swing. Tonight, top-flight giants Liverpool will be facing Championship opposition Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's stadium, and we will bring you all the minute-by-minute action.
Right, before we go any further, let's bring you the lineups for both sides! Starting with the Reds...
LIVERPOOL XI: Karius; Randall, Lovren, Moreno; Lucas, Stewart, Ejaria, Grujic; Mane, Coutinho, Firmino
Subs: George, Ings, Kent, Wisdom, Markovic, Woodburn, Alexander-Arnold
HUDDERSFIELD XI: Coleman; Smith, Hudson, Lowe, Schindler; Lolley, Hogg, Mooy, Van la Parra, Payne; Kachunga
Subs: Coddington, Davidson, Whitehead, Scannell, Billing, Bunn, Cranie, Dempsey, Stankovic, Hefele, Williams, Booty, Pyke
So, for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp has selected Loris Karius in goal, Connor Randall, Dejan Lovren, Lucas Leiva and Alberto Moreno in defence. Kevin Stewart, Ovie Ejaria and Marko Grujic will sit in midfield, with Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino forming an attacking trio.
David Wagner has opted to start Joel Coleman in goal, with Tommy Smith, Mark Hudson, Chris Lowe and Christopher Schindler in defence. Joe Lolley, Jonathan Hogg, Aaron Mooy, Rajiv van la Parra and Jack Payne are also given the nod, while Elias Kachunga leads the line up front.
Liverpool fans will be pleased with how their team's preparations have begun given that they have a 100% win record in the three friendlies played so far. Of course, at this stage the results are secondary in terms of importance. Building up fitness is the key objective here, as well as getting a glance of any new signings.
Speaking of signings, Liverpool secured a fifth today. Estonian defender Ragnar Klavan put pen to paper on a long-term deal at Anfield this afternoon. The centre-back has joined from Augsburg for a reported £4.2m fee plus add-ons.

It was widely suggested that the 30-year-old would be used as cover due to Liverpool being rather thin in defensive areas at the moment. Dejan Lovren and summer signing Joel Matip are the only senior recognised centre-backs available due to Mamadou Sakho's being on the treatment table with injury. Klavan does arrive at Anfield with some good experience behind him, though, as he spent four years in the Bundesliga playing for Augsburg. Last season he helped keep 11 clean sheets in 31 appearances.
It seems as though Klopp has been an admirer of Klavan for some time. The manager told Liverpool's official website: "At the end of last season I knew that if we decided to take somebody in this position he was the one I wanted. Now I'm really happy with the options we have got at centre back.

"I've seen up close for three seasons how good his performances in Germany have been and last season we got chance to see him against us - and a lot in preparation - for our games against Augsburg.

"He will bring us really good qualities with his defensive intelligence and ability on the ball and he is a left-footed player so will give us extra balance. I know that he is not only a very good player but the type of mentality and person who is coming here to fight and to win."

As mentioned, Klavan is the Reds' fifth signing of the summer. The other four - Marko Grujic, Sadio Mane, Matip and goalkeeper Loris Karius - have all been in action during the last three friendlies. Grujic made an impact on his debut against Fleetwood Town as he opened the scoring in a 5-0 rout over the League One club.
Mane, who cost in the region of £36m from Southampton, has featured in all three of the Reds' pre-season fixtures so far, as has Matip and Karius. Given the amount spent on Mane, one would expect him to be given a regular starting role under Klopp. Should the be the case, who is likely to miss out?
Well, last season, Klopp chopped and changed somewhat, but Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, James Milner and Roberto Firmino were regularly used by the German boss behind either Daniel Sturridge or Divock Origi. In some cases, Firmino was used as the point of attack. It will be interesting to see how Klopp implements Mane into the system, and in some cases, it could be Lallana who is forced to make way.
One player who will be fighting for a position up front will be Danny Ings, who missed the bulk of last season with a serious knee injury. When Sturridge returns from his holidays, he is likely to be first-choice striker, but Ings is making a positive case for himself having scored the only goal in the win over Tranmere and in the 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.
Liverpool fans would have also been impressed by 16-year-old Ben Woodburn, who has scored two goals in his last two appearances for the club. Despite impressing on the pitch, Klopp has ruled out the youngster playing in the first team next season due to his age. Although, the manager may not have a choice but to include him in future matches if the forward, who has captained Wales at Under-17 level, continues to impress in pre-season.
So, what link do Huddersfield currently have with Liverpool, I hear you ask? Well, it involves the managers - they happen to be good friends. Actually, more than good friends. Klopp recently described David Wagner as his "best friend" in fact. The pair met when they were both players at Mainz in 1991, and from that point, the relationship blossomed. Wagner worked with Klopp during their coaching spells at Borussia Dortmund and was even the best man at the Liverpool manager's wedding.
Earlier this week, Wagner told the Yorkshire Post: "I like him, he is my friend. I was best man at his wedding. We are brothers in the mind. We have the same humour, we laugh about the same jokes. So, we are able to enjoy life without being too serious. Everything you can say about a friendship, I can say the same about us.

"He is one of the best managers in the world but, to me, he is just my friend. His name is Jurgen Klopp but no one knew 25 years ago he would be at Liverpool and me at Huddersfield, but here we are, we meet again."

Wagner, who was born in Germany but represented the USA due to having an American father, became Huddersfield manager in November last year. It is his first experience as a head coach of a senior team and after replacing Chris Powell at the helm, he took the team to 19th in the Championship table, 11 points off the relegation zone.
It has been a positive pre-season for the Terriers so far as they have managed to win all four of their friendlies, which were against Guiseley, Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and Oldham. They are yet to face any Championship opposition, but taking on Liverpool, who reside in the division above them, will provide a stern test.
The club's record signing Christopher Schindler, who joined the club from 1860 Munich for £1.8m, has had a run-out during the pre-season schedule, while goalkeeper Joel Coleman has also made this debut. While the results are not paramount at this stage, Huddersfield have been positive in attack having scored nine goals and conceding just the one in their four matches so far.
After facing Huddersfield, Liverpool will play five more friendlies before the season begins. Games against Chelsea, AC Milan, Roma, Barcelona and Mainz are on the calendar, and they will provide a more difficult challenge for Klopp's men. Preparation is key for the Merseyside outfit as they have a tough start to the Premier League campaign. Their opening match is against Arsenal at the Emirates. The first 10 games tend to be crucial with regards to a title challenge, and in those 10, Liverpool will play Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham, Leicester, Chelsea, Hull, Swansea, Manchester United, West Brom and Crystal Palace.
As for the Terriers, they so far have Werder Bremen and FC Ingolstadt in the remainder of their pre-season fixture list. The Championship season will begin for them on August 6 when they face Brentford at home. The next nine league games include clashes against newly-demoted Premier League sides Newcastle United and Aston Villa, as well as Barnsley, Wolves, Leeds, Brighton, QPR, Reading and Rotherham.
Both teams are out on the pitch. We're a few minutes away from kickoff!
Before the match begins, both sets of players and everyone in the stadium will pay tribute to the late Labour MP Jo Cox, who was recently shot dead. A minute's applause will be observed.
KICKOFF! Huddersfield get us underway at the John Smith's stadium!
Neither side have created an goalscoring opportunity in these early stages, but Liverpool are trying to make Huddersfield uncomfortable by closing down their opponents while off the ball.
Ejaria shows quick feet and gets tripped up in Huddersfield half and earns his team a free kick. It's taken short and the ball is eventually knocked back to the defenders.
Stewart and Ejaria link up in the middle of the pitch with one-touch passes, but Smith breaks up the play by clipping Ejaria and giving away a free kick. Huddersfield eventually win the ball back.
Huddersfield are seeing more of the ball but they're struggling to get out of their own half. The ball is eventually hoofed up field, but Liverpool win back possession.
A wasted opportunity for a Liverpool attack as a throw-in ends in Coutinho sending the return ball out of touch. The Brazilian stays on the line but as he attempts to play the ball forward with a low pass, the ball bobbles out.
CHANCE! Huddersfield get a sniff at goal as they're given some fortunate from Lucas. The Brazilian, who is playing in defence for Liverpool, gives the ball away and the hosts attack. Kachunga and Lolley link up on the edge of the area before the latter fires towards Karius's goal, but the ball drifts wide of the far post.
The ball is played out wide left to Van la Parra, who cuts inside and gets into the corner of the box before unleashing an attempt, but he misses the target. Huddersfield have come the closest to scoring so far.
A slip from Lovren almost plays in Kachunga, but Lucas gets across to block and send the ball out for a Huddersfield throw-in. Seconds later, the hosts put more pressure on as a shot is drilled straight into Stewart's body.
SHOT! Mane is inches away from scoring! Some quick play from Liverpool as some one-touch play between Coutinho and Grujic ends with the ball being drilled wide to Mane, who moves towards the centre of the box before swinging a low shot with his left foot. The ball trickles just wide of the post.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Oh dear, what a shambles from Huddersfield! Grujic tries to play in Mane. Lowe gets just ahead of him on the edge of the penalty area and plays a back-pass to Coleman, but it's too heavy and the keeper has to turn to stop the ball from bobbling into the net. Mane gets round him and nudges the ball through, but the referee disallows the goal for a foul on the keeper. Replays show that the official was wrong though! The goal should have stood.
At the other end, Huddersfield earn a free kick in Liverpool's half as Ejaria brings down Hogg. The ball is then drifted into the box by Mooy, but the ball is cleared by Ejaria.
Huddersfield come again as Payne connects on the volley on the edge of the box, but he fails to hit it cleanly and the ball flies into the stands.
SAVE! Great stop from Karius! Mooy squares the ball across the danger area to find Lolley, who cuts inside before striking the ball towards the bottom right corner. The shot is swerving, but Karius times his jump to palm the ball clear.
Moreno charges down the left-hand side and gets past two defenders in the box. He tries to draw the foul as the ball gets away from him and moves into Mane's path, but it's cleared by Huddersfield for a corner, which comes to nothing for Liverpool.
Keeping in mind this is a friendly, there have been some crunching tackles flying in! Mane shows skill in the middle of the park as he turns away from his marker with the ball, but he ends up overrunning the ball and Huddersfield manage to nick possession and knock it back to the keeper.
Grujic is too slow on the ball and gets caught in possession. Stewart does well to help his teammate as he wins the ball back off Kachunga, who was on the break.
GOAL! HUDDERSFIELD 0-1 LIVERPOOL (GRUJIC)
Liverpool take the lead! Summer signing Grujic adds another goal to his tally in this pre-season schedule. It's a nice move by the Reds as Mane drives towards the box and spots Firmino, who collects the ball after an overlapping run before crossing it into the area. The ball bounces in front of Grujic, he takes a touch and then drills it into the back of the net.
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
COLEMAN SAVES!
Liverpool get the penalty after Mane gets pulled down by the keeper in the box. Coleman gets a yellow card for the foul, but in a competitive match, he probably would have been sent off as he was the last man. Coutinho steps up to take it, but Coleman atones for his mistake by palming the ball away from the bottom left corner.
Mane is looking lively tonight, but his latest attempt at goal just misses the target. Randall breaks away from Van la Perra down the right and crosses low towards Mane, who is waiting in the middle of the box. The summer signing scuffs his shot, though, and the ball bounces wide of the right post.
BOOKING! Smith receives a yellow card and he can't really complain! The Huddersfield man wipes out Moreno, who manages to escape unscathed. Coutinho isn't happy, though. Perhaps someone should remind them it's only a friendly!
HALF-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD 0-1 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool head into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead thanks to a 31st-minute strike from Marko Grujic. It's been a relatively even contest at the John Smith's stadium, with Huddersfield creating a handful of chances. For a friendly, it's been a rather lively game! Sadio Mane was denied a goal early in the first half for a foul on the goalkeeper. After Grujic opened the scoring, Philippe Coutinho had the chance to double Liverpool's lead with a penalty, but it was saved by Joel Coleman. We'll return for the second half shortly!
RESTART! Liverpool get the second half underway!
As you would expect, there has been a handful of changes at the break. Huddersfield have in fact made 10 substitutions. Liverpool's outfield has been hugely altered as well.
The hosts go on the attack. The ball is crossed low into the box. There are plenty of bodies there, but it manages to find Dempsey, who aims a shot from inside the area, but it ends up flying over the crossbar.
Karius does well to intercept a cross from the left side of the final third. Good thinking from the Liverpool keeper as the ball was dropping in a dangerous area.
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Just to let you know about the changes in personnel in the Liverpool team. Wisdom, Alexander-Arnold, Kent, Markovic, Woodburn and Ings have all come on. Grujic, Mane, Ejaria, Coutinho and Firmino are the players to come off. As a result of the changes, Lucas goes into midfield alongside Stewart.
Alexander-Arnold whips a great ball into the box from the right-hand side, but keeper Coddington reads it well and punches clear before a red shirt can get on the end of it.
Oh dear, it doesn't look good for Lucas! The Brazilian has pulled up after trying to intercept a pass. It's his hamstring and he's forced off the pitch. Liverpool are down to 10 men.
There's a problem here as the referee has halted play because there's a drone flying above the stadium!
We're back underway! Not really sure what that was about...
Kent breaks for Liverpool and storms towards the edge of the area, but he overruns and ends up leaving the ball behind! A wasted chance.
Well, Liverpool have no more outfield players to bring on, but to help ease the pressure after Lucas's departure, Klopp is going to bring on a goalkeeper to play in defence!
LIVERPOOL SUB! Here he comes! Goalkeeper Shamal George enters the field of play.
BOOKING! A silly challenge from Moreno results in a booking. The Spaniard completely wipes out Kachunga.
Well, perhaps he should play outfield more often! George's first touch almost creates an opening for a goal! The play eventually broke down, but not bad for a goalkeeper!
Scannell drives towards the byline on the right-hand side. Liverpool are under pressure, but they manage to clear the ball at the far post.
HUDDERSFIELD SUB: It's the last change of the evening for the hosts as Kachunga makes way for Pyke.
CHANCE! Great opportunity for Dempsey! The midfielder charges down the middle of the part before unleashing a right-footed thump towards the bottom left corner. Karius scrambles across his box, but he's fortunate as the ball drifts wide.
What a moment that could have been! Keeper George is almost through on goal for Liverpool, but he's caught an inch offside.
At the other end, Billing finds space on the edge of the area before letting a shot fly, but he ends up dragging his attempt wide.
Some more injury concern for Liverpool as Kent requires some treatment on his ankle. He doesn't seem too troubled though, and it looks as though he will run it off.
It's Wagner now who has concern on his face as Billing seeks treatment. He too seems to be struggling with an ankle problem. He gets to his feet, but we're not sure if he will continue.
HUDDERSFIELD SUB: Nope, Billing cannot continue and Booty comes on to replace him.
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
GOAL! HUDDERSFIELD 0-2 LIVERPOOL (MORENO)
It's disappointing for Huddersfield as Liverpool double their lead in the dying minutes as Moreno nets from the penalty spot. It was the right call for the referee to award it as Kent was brought down in the box.
FULL-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD 0-2 LIVERPOOL
So, there we have it! Liverpool head off to the US with a fourth consecutive pre-season win under their belts. Marko Grujic opened the scoring in the first half, and after Philippe Coutinho missed a penalty four minutes later, the Reds had another chance from the spot-kick in the dying moments of the friendly. Alberto Moreno managed to convert and Jurgen Klopp's men registered a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's stadium. Thank you for joining us, and until next time, goodbye!
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