A Premier League trophy but fans came to watch just one team

The build up had been a nightmare for Liverpool - but it was really was all right on the night.

Two goals, a clean sheet, a comfortable victory, no injuries and 39,000 thrilled Reds who went home buzzing after finally watching their heroes perform on Hong Kong turf for the first time in a decade. Job done.

Liverpool hadn’t been able to train properly during their first two days in the Far East because of the torrential rain, but on a tricky surface they responded with their most complete display of the summer so far.

There was a much greater intensity and tempo to their work, all the more impressive considering the stifling heat and humidity.

(Image: Victor Fraile/Getty Images)

Goals from Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi ensured that Liverpool will face Leicester City on Saturday in the final of the Premier League Asia Trophy.

It was a night which underlined the Reds’ remarkable pulling power in Asia. There were four top-flight clubs on the bill but 99.9% of them had come to watch Jurgen Klopp’s men.

The queues for the LFC merchandise stalls were snaking around the block hours before kick-off.

Show Player

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

They marvelled at Roberto Firmino’s silky touch and Jordan Henderson’s Gerrard-esque range of passing. They also paid a warm tribute to Lucas Leiva in recognition of his decade of loyal service.

“I’ve never sweated in my life like this without actually playing,” Klopp said.

The manager will certainly sleep more soundly after a night which ticked all the boxes, both on and off the field.

Coutinho plays to his crowd as trademark swagger emerges early

There was no doubt about the identity of the star attraction at the Hong Kong Stadium.

The decibel levels went up five-fold when Philippe Coutinho stepped off the bench early in the second half.

The little magician is box office and in this part of the world especially they love their icons.

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Coutinho didn’t disappoint the thousands here who arrived with his name imprinted on their shirts.

He led the charge as Liverpool broke Palace’s resistance after the break and won with something to spare.

The Brazil international was involved in both goals as he drifted in off the left flank and tormented the Londoners.

It’s only July but he’s already rediscovered that trademark swagger. His touch and movement at times were mesmerising.

(Image: (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

Keeping Coutinho out of the clutches of Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain was as important as anything Liverpool will go on to achieve in the transfer market this summer.

He’s still only 25 and the stage is set for him to go on and achieve legendary status at Anfield.

In a world where Kyle Walker is now valued at £50million, you can’t put a price on Coutinho.

Solanke a bargain who’s already blossoming

Dominic Solanke is proof that you can still pick up a bargain this summer if you look hard enough.

The Liverpool new boy is off the mark after breaking the deadlock in style against Palace.

(Image: Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

Latching on to Origi’s classy flick just past the hour mark, Solanke showed great awareness and technique as he turned and thundered a low drive past Wayne Hennessey from the edge of the box.

You could see what it meant to the England Under-20s international who was mobbed by his team-mates.

It’s crystal clear why Chelsea were so upset about losing him following the end of his contract.

Solanke has huge potential and if a tribunal rules that Liverpool only have to pay £3million for him then they will have pulled off a real coup.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

He’s only 19 but he looks older such is his size, strength and ability to hold off and occupy defenders.

Solanke never got the chance to show Chelsea what he could do. The lure of Anfield was knowing that things would be different under Klopp.

He’s already blossoming in a new environment where putting faith in youth is second nature.

Salah ready to give Premier League defenders sleepless nights

It really was a mismatch.

The lightning speed of Mohamed Salah against centre-backs Damien Delaney and Scott Dann. It was akin to a Ferrari racing a couple of Reliant Robins.

Having scored on his debut at Wigan, Salah built on that with a second outing for his new club jam packed with promise.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The club’s £36.9million record signing thrilled the Hong Kong Reds as he rampaged down the right wing during the opening 45 minutes.

Make no mistake, Salah is going to give top-flight defenders a lot of sleepless nights.

On this occasion all that was lacking was some end product.

Twice, he raced away out wide but ended up apologising to Daniel Sturridge after failing to provide the kind of delivery the striker was crying out for.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Salah’s close control and trickery created a decent opening for himself but he curled narrowly over.

Sick of chasing shadows, Dann eventually lost his rag after being nut-megged and was booked for cynically hauling Salah back. He would have been clear on goal.

“It was nice for everybody to see him on the pitch – to see that speed. Mohamed is a very quick player,” Klopp said.

Delaney and Dann won’t be relishing that reunion at Anfield next month.

Gomez helps deliver a solid defensive effort

Joe Gomez has endured a tough couple of years.

From the high of that dream start to his Liverpool career in 2015 to the crushing low of rupturing his ACL. He’s still trying to get back to where he was.

The 20-year-old defender was restricted to just three senior outings last term with most of his game time for the club’s under-23s.

(Image: AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Premier League new boys Brighton are desperate to take him on a season-long loan but Klopp wanted to assess him in pre-season before making a final decision.

With Liverpool in the market for a top centre-back to compete with Dejan Lovren , Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, a temporary stint elsewhere might just end up suiting everyone.

But here was a timely reminder about Gomez’s qualities - he reads the game so well and is ice-cool in possession.

The England international dealt well with the brawn of Christian Benteke and the pace of Wilfried Zaha.

Match in 90 Seconds: Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace

With Gomez alongside Matip in the first half followed by Lovren with Klavan in the second half, this was a solid defensive effort from the Reds.

Simon Mignolet only had one serious save to make all night.

“We know where our problems are,” Klopp said on the eve of this game. “We conceded the kind of goals we don’t like - a lack of concentration and focus at times, not a lack of quality.”

This was better and Gomez played his part.



LFCTV and LFCTV GO will be bringing you all the action as the team prepares for the new season and a return to UEFA Champions League football. Go to www.liverpoolfc.com/watch to find out how to see every game and enjoy behind-the-scenes access every step of the way.