Dortmund 3-1 Liverpool: Pulisic the difference in pre-season friendly

Friendly International Champions Cup
Sunday 22 July 2018 - 9:05 pm
Bank of America Stadium, North Carolina, USA
Dortmund3
1Liverpool
Show Match Events
22'↔️ Matip off, Gomez on
25'van Dijk ⚽️
45'↔️ Camacho off, Klavan on
45'↔️ Markovic off, Moreno on
45'↔️ Origi off, Woodburn on
45'↔️ Jones off, Solanke on
45'↔️ Lallana off, Ojo on
45'↔️ Robertson off, Keïta on
45'↔️ Fabinho off, Gomez on
45'↔️ van Dijk off, Milner on
⚽️ Pulisic66'
⚽️ Pulisic89'
⚽️ Bruun Larsen90'
Hide Match Events

Liverpool's pre-season preparations continued with their first game of their week long tour in the United States.

The reds first half team took the lead into half time with a headed goal from Virgil van Dijk, but Dortmund's second half side were more experience and Christian Pulisic scored a penalty before the German club netted twice in the final minutes of the game.

A crowd of over 55,000 packed into the Bank of America Stadium, in Charlotte, to see Klopp's side in action.  Sadio Mane, and Mo Salah, who have only just returned to training spent the game watching from the sidelines.

The reds only arrived in America yesterday and didn't look in as solid a shape as their German counterparts who beat Manchester City in Chicago a couple of days previously.

First half team: Karius, Clyne, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Fabinho, Lallana, Camacho, Markovic, Jones, Origi.

Dortmund could have taken the lead in the 4th minute when Karius's clearance found Phillip, but he hit his shot wide.

Mid-way through the half, Joel Matip had to go off after he pulled up when playing a pass.  Joe Gomez came on to replace him but it's another worrying concern for the defender who had injury issues throughout 2017/18.

In the 25th minute however, the reds broke the deadlock.  Rafa Camacho played the corner short to Andy Robertson who sent over a delicious cross that Van Dijk headed in with ease.

The half time break signalled a further 8 outfield changes for Liverpool, with the likes of Klavan, Woodburn and Ojo getting their opportunity.

Second half team: Karius, Clyne, Gomez, Klavan, Moreno, Milner, Keita, Woodburn, Ojo, Sturridge, Solanke.

Liverpool started brightly, but again midway through the half there was a critical intervention.  Ragnar Klavan, harshly perhaps, conceding a penalty for a foul on Pulisic.  The American attacker then firing in the penalty to level the game.

Liverpool-Dortmund and Pulisic scoring!!! #soccer

A post shared by Paul Manos (@pauleyhands) on

In the final minute of the game Pulisic slotted home the goal to put Dortmund in the lead, and then deep into injury time he saw his shot beaten away by Karius but only into the path of Bruun Larsen to make it 3-1.

Klopp is known to be a long time admirer of Pulisic with even some speculation in recent days surrounding a potential move.  On the basis of his second half performance here, that speculation is likely to continue.

Next up for the reds - Manchester City.

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