You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool's 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund was one of the Reds' finest pre-season performances in memory.

Granted, the Bundesliga side had not long landed at John Lennon Airport and were missing three of their World Cup winning stars, but it was still a side which started with nine internationals.

Here are some other great summer showings from Liverpool since the turn of the millennium.

Liverpool 5-0 Parma

Date: August 13, 2000

Liverpool starting line-up: Westerveld; Babbel, Hyypia, Henchoz, Traore; Barmby, Gerrard, Hamann, Smicer; Owen, Heskey

Story of the game: Liverpool set up for the season in stunning fashion with a five-goal battering of the Italian side. Dietmar Hamann opened the scoring with a fine free-kick before Nick Barmby – a stand-out performer – made it two before half time. A Gary McAllister strike was followed by two Michael Owen goals to emphasise the Reds' dominance.

Where Parma were at: Having finished fifth the season before, Parma had sold Hernan Crespo for a world record fee, as well as Ariel Ortega. But this was still a side who included Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro, Diego Fuser and Sergio Conceicao.

What happened next: Liverpool had one of their most successful seasons ever, winning the League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup – as well as qualifying for the Champions League.

Rangers 0-4 Liverpool

Date: August 2, 2008

Liverpool starting line-up: Cavalieri; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena; Benayoun, Plessis, Gerrard, Kuyt; Keane, Torres

Story of the game: The Reds travelled to Ibrox on a blistering August afternoon and saw off the Scottish side with ease. Fernando Torres opened the scoring with a tap in before substitute David N'Gog scored an impressive second. Yossi Benayoun and a Xabi Alonso penalty put a gloss on the scoreline.

Where Rangers were at: Walter Smith's side had finished second the previous season – to Celtic, surprisingly enough – but still possessed a decent side including Allan McGregor, Sasa Papic and Kenny Miller.

What happened next: The Reds came within two points of winning the Premier League but were just pipped to it by Manchester United. Rafael Benitez's side secured 86 points, which still remains their record points haul.



(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)

Celtic 1-5 Liverpool

Date: 27 July, 2004

Liverpool starting line-up: Kirkland; Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise; Smicer, Hamann, Biscan, Kewell; Owen, Baros.

Story of the game: Liverpool's tour of the US rolled into Connecticut and resulted in an easy win over Martin O'Neill's title-holders. John Arne Riise's rocket fired the Reds into the lead before Michael Owen made it 2-0 within 17 minutes. In the second half, a double for new boy Djibril Cisse and a very rare Stephane Henchoz goal made it five, although Craig Beattie's penalty had previously made it 4-1.

Where Celtic were at: Champions the season before, O'Neill elected to make six changes at half time in an experimental 90 minutes. But plenty of the side who made the Uefa Cup final featured at some point, including Alan Thompson, Neil Lennon and Stiliyan Petrov.

What happened next: Istanbul. In Benitez's first season, the Reds lifted their fifth European Cup after finishing fifth in the Premier League.