“How Liverpool play”: Leipzig boss gives his verdict on loss to Liverpool

RB Leipzig manager Domenico Tedesco praises Liverpool after 5-0 defeat in pre-season friendly

RB Leipzig manager Domenico Tedesco praised Liverpool after his side was beaten 5-0 in the Red Bull Arena. But the German manager was annoyed by the result as he felt Leipzig gifted the Merseysiders the result.

Mohamed Salah opened the scoring on the night. The first half finished with Liverpool one goal ahead. There were moments in the game for both sides, but no one was able to capitalise.

Speaking to RB Live (h/t Liverpool Echo), Tedesco praised the way the Reds play. Going into the game, the manager knew what a top side the Merseysiders were but was unable to stop them in their tracks.

“You saw how Liverpool play: extremely experienced. They play under pressure when you press them high, two or three touches.”

The second half of the game was much more dominant for the Merseysiders. We created more chances and scored four more against a top Bundesliga club.

While the result doesn’t reflect much in the grand scheme of things, Darwin Nunez finally came into his own on the night. The Uruguayan found the back of the net in all four instances.

Tedesco, who has managed Schalke 04 previously, felt that experience and composure on the ball were the keys to the Reds dominating the play. He felt Leipzig made too many errors on the night.

“That has something to do with maturity and with cleverness. They win the second balls and then football is played in the final third. We, on the other hand, got into trouble far too often. Too many mistakes. We can learn from the 0-5. Maybe it’s an eye-opener. Nevertheless, I would have liked to have done without it.”

Fans were relieved watching Nunez score a few goals after his recent performances. The striker was being mercilessly trolled online by rival fans for missing chances earlier in pre-season.

Liverpool also looked much sharper and energetic. The games against Manchester United and Crystal Palace were a bit of a letdown, but that’s expected, considering the players are coming off a long season.

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These are encouraging signs nonetheless. A win like this gives confidence and self-belief to the side. Come 6 August, we’ll need to be similarly effective in front of goal as we visit the Craven Cottage to face Fulham.