Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the pre-season as Borussia Dortmund came from behind to defeat the Reds 3-1 in their International Champions Cup match in Charlotte.
The Reds actually took the lead via Virgil van Dijk’s brilliant header but were pegged back by Christian Pulisic, who scored a penalty in the 66th minute before giving the lead to the German club in the 89th minute.
Dortmund made the win safe with a goal from Jacob Bruna Larsen in the 93rd minute, thanks to Loris Karius, who diverted a shot from Pulisic to Larsen.
Liverpool were without a number of their key World Cup stars as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were left out from the team, while Alisson was not available for selection.
We did play Fabinho and Naby Keita but each player only got one half of the game as Jurgen Klopp made wholesale changes at half-time.
The bigger concern was regarding Joel Matip, who picked up an injury. Klopp was quoted by the BBC as stating that it could be a muscle tear.
“It’s not the same injury as he had before. It’s another muscle – it looks like, hopefully, only a little tear.”
The German was not happy with Matip’s injury as central defence was a problem region for us last season. As Liverpool prepare for their next game against Manchester City, they will hope for a better outcome.
The Liverpool supporters, however, shared their views about the loss on Twitter as a number of fans were scathing about Karius while more were concerned with the injury to Matip and wanted the Reds to sign another central defender.
Never play Karius ever again. Even in friendlies.
— Matthew Ordish (@MattOrdish) July 22, 2018
Yes, but Matip is looking injury prone… and we know that midfield needs a CAM..
— MR. Liverpool (@WwwGohan22) July 23, 2018
It’s only a friendly. Don’t worry about it. People should stop giving abuse to karius and support him.
— Sean (@No1SeanDowney) July 22, 2018
sign De light or Lascelles or Tarwoski
— redsforever (@kopanfiled) July 22, 2018
Made of glass
— Craig Beattie (@cbeattieLFC) July 22, 2018
Sell him
— Tom 🦕 (@96tomm) July 22, 2018
Godin is coming
— Rozy Harry (@Rozy_Harry14) July 22, 2018
Update he’s made out of poppadoms
— Lee Ali (@leeali86) July 23, 2018
What I learned: Fabinho is our one true cover. Milner ain’t a holding midfielder as we saw 2nd half. Ooooooh Karius what a man…. terrible punch to his opponent in the 6yrd box. Naby keita is a man. Can’t wait for that combo btw him n Fabinho.
— Mkpong Victor Ernest (@depresidovic) July 22, 2018
Please buy a CB
— The normal one 🔴 (@gegenpressing3) July 22, 2018
Sign a new CB
— Callum (@Calftbl) July 22, 2018
Sign lascelles
— sct (@Sc8tt_) July 22, 2018
Read more: Jurgen Klopp finally finds a replacement for long-term assistant Zeljko Buvac – report