Use your head like Sadio and 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

A taste of Europe

Okay, it was only a friendly, despite coming under the fancy guise of the International Champions Cup.

But it's not every day you beat Barcelona 4-0. Not even when you're playing against them on FIFA.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Little wonder the partisan 89,845 crowd – the second-largest attendance at the modern-day Wembley – were afforded a lap of appreciation by the happy Liverpool players.

It was an evening to remember.

Klopp, though, knows from first-hand experience that such results can be misleading, having been on the receiving end of a similar scoreline when Borussia Dortmund visited Anfield two years ago.

That wasn't exactly the precursor to a great campaign for the Reds.

The Reds boss will ensure feet remain planted firmly on the ground, mindful this was an undercooked Barca a week or so behind in their pre-season preparations.

Nevertheless, it would be churlish to deny this was anything but a hugely encouraging performance from his players.

And, for the gaggle of summer signings on display, it was a taster of the type of occasions to which Liverpool were once accustomed as a European superpower.

If this wasn't incentive enough to regain a place in the Champions League this season, what is?

Dan's no longer the only man

Every manager loves a player they can rely upon.

But while Daniel Sturridge is a guarantee for goals, he's also a banker for injuries.

Which is why the news the striker would be absent was met with a shrug of the shoulders from those inside Wembley.

And not just because they've come to expect Sturridge's fitness misfortunes.

Liverpool now have sufficient forward options to ensure another setback for the England man isn't as devastating as it may have proven barely 18 months previous.

Here, Roberto Firmino impressed up front against a side who know a thing or two about this 'false nine' malarkey.

Indeed, Sadio Mane's pace meant it was often the £30million man furthest forward, as highlighted by his well-taken opener, while Divock Origi wasted no time on his half-time emergence from the bench to add to his pre-season tally.

Sturridge's hip injury makes him a doubt for the Premier League opener at Arsenal on Sunday week.

Liverpool have plentiful goal reserves, however.

Left still not right

If Klopp had any doubts, they were banished by the sight of James Milner heading straight down the Wembley tunnel before the first half had even concluded.

Liverpool need to sign a new left-back.

Klopp has already indicated his willingness to use Milner's versatility as competition for Alberto Moreno, an experiment he continued here against Barcelona.

Milner was loving at first, racing forward during the early stages and operating more as a left-winger than defender.

That, though, has been the entire issue with Moreno, whose attacking threat far outstrips his defensive nous.

While there was no shame in being done by Lionel Messi on one occasion, Milner's saving tackle on Arda Turan underlined his ability to sniff out danger that Moreno seemingly doesn't often possess.

But the stand-in's departure before the interval underlined Liverpool's lack of options in a position that has proven troublesome for longer than anyone at Anfield cares to remember.

No pressing concerns

For anyone not acquainted with Klopp's preferred style of play, a recording of this match should be all the education required.

This was the quintessential display from a Klopp side.

Just look at the goals. Adam Lallana's harassing of Sergio Busquets prompted Mane's opener, Mane rumbled Jeremy Mathieu for the second, Kevin Stewart won possession for the third and a Jordan Henderson tackle set in motion the move that ended with Marko Grujic heading in the fourth.

Like so many clubs, Liverpool surrendered plenty of possession to Barcelona.

Yet they were happy to do so in the knowledge they now have the pace and goal threat throughout the side to not only force errors from opponents but to capitalise on them.

There had been hints at the devastating havoc this approach can wreak last season, notably in the 4-1 romp at Manchester City.

Now Klopp has more players bought specifically to fit the mould. Premier League opponents won't be given a moment's peace this season.

Next stop the Emirates

Within 24 hours, the phony war will be over.

When the final whistle blows on the friendly in Mainz on Sunday, so minds will finally focus on the real stuff, which begins at Arsenal seven days later.

Late injuries permitting, some selections we can probably assume, not least in defence.

Simon Mignolet will have taken heart from a clean sheet here, helped by decent stops from Turan and Luis Suarez, while Ragnar Klavan was again pleasingly reliable.

Elsewhere, though, places remain very much up for grabs.

Klopp spoke afterwards of having a good idea of his matchday squad for Emirates, if not the starting XI itself.

There's still time on the training field for players to stake their claim.

But that competition for places is fierce even before a ball is kicked in anger can only augur well for a campaign that promises to be nothing less than full throttle.