[Mhiz Rebecca]

Liverpool kicked-off their preparations for the 2016/17
campaign by making the short trip to Merseyside
neighbours Tranmere Rovers on Friday night.
The National League outfit proved a good test of a
recently reassembled Reds side who were minus their
Euro2016 contingent and reigning Player of the Season
Philippe Coutinho , who is yet to return to pre-season
training after representing Brazil at the 2016 Copa
America.
There were plenty of star names still on show
however, with Dejan Lovren and Roberto Firmino , plus
new signings Loris Karius , Joel Matip and Sadio Mané
all included in the starting eleven.
Liverpool began brightly with the left-sided duo Brad
Smith and Ryan Kent combining well on several
occasions.
For all their possession and good approach play the
Reds were struggling to find the target and convert
pressure into goals.
Firmino and Mané both missed presentable
opportunities as Academy teenager Ovie Ejaria and
fellow midfielder Cameron Brannagan impressed.