Liverpool 4-0 Leicester: Player ratings as Reds romp to pre-season friendly victory
Liverpool strolled to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Leicester City in a pre-season friendly on Sunday at the Singapore National Stadium.
Both sides may be warming up for the coming campaign but the idea in possession from both was clear — and similar.
Leicester's new boss Enzo Maresca had picked up a few pointers from his time as one of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City assistants, sending Ricardo Pereira into an unfamiliar central position each time the Foxes had possession.
Trent Alexander-Arnold fulfilled the hybrid role for Liverpool in the final month of last season and looked far more comfortable. The ball-playing fullback was involved in the slick buildup play that slipped Diogo Jota into Leicester's box after an even opening 30 minutes. Mads Hermansen saved Jota's initial effort well but Darwin Nunez was there to snaffle up the rebound.
For all the benefits an inverted full-back offers in possession, they leave an unmistakable hole in their team's backline in transition. Mohamed Salah did not need any encouragement to ruthlessly exploit the gap Pereira vacated.
Within five minutes of Nunez's opener, Liverpool forced a turnover which swiftly put the ball at Salah's feet. As Pereira flailed in midfield, Jannik Vestergaard hesitantly stood off Liverpool's talisman, allowing Salah time and space to square for the academy product Bobby Clark to sweep in his side's second goal.
Barely 100 seconds had elapsed before Salah was on the ball again. This time Pereira was part of the backline but, perhaps bamboozled by his complex role, watched on from a distance as Salah arched a cross onto Jota's head for Liverpool's third goal of the first half.
Jurgen Klopp changed all ten of his outfielders during the interval while Maresca
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