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Liverpool's players will sleep soundly on that 4,000-mile journey home.

Twelve days of hard toil in the States are over. Their gruelling stay ended in defeat at the hands of Roma close to the banks of the Mississippi River.

The jaded Reds headed for home beaten but not dispirited after coming off second best in front of a 28,573-strong crowd at the Busch Stadium.

For many this was simply a step too far. Fatigue undoubtedly played a part as Liverpool ran out of both gas and ideas in the searing heat of St Louis. There were tired legs and tired minds.

Jurgen Klopp had always insisted this tour shouldn't be judged on results and so it proved.

Defeats to Chelsea and Roma were sandwiched by a comfortable win over a poor AC Milan side.

Of much greater significance has been the amount of time spent on the training ground.

Having finally got his entire squad together, Klopp has made every hour count.

From the intensive double sessions at their Stanford University base to the video analysis and tactical discussions. There was no time for anyone to be bored.

The spirit and camaraderie the manager is so desperate to foster has been there in abundance.

It's been tougher than any member of the squad has experienced before with new head of fitness Andreas Kornmayer knocking them into shape and nutritionist Mona Nemmer educating them about how to ensure it stays that way.

Commercial commitments rightfully took a back seat – there was no tail wagging the dog on this trip. This was no shirt selling jaunt to face sub-standard opposition.

There have been plenty of issues for Klopp to deal with along the way.

From Mamadou Sakho being sent home in disgrace for his sloppy time-keeping to Loris Karius suffering a broken hand.

Marko Grujic (concussion) and Ovie Ejaria (groin) joined Sakho, Joe Gomez and Lucas Leiva on the injured list.

Joel Matip didn't feature at all due to an ongoing foot complaint, while Divock Origi was left out against Roma due to a tight groin.

There was also the sight of Alberto Moreno limping off late on but Klopp insisted it was a dead leg rather than a hamstring problem.

Fit or not, the need to buy a new left-back before the window shuts remains crystal clear.

With Klopp down to the bare bones in terms of centre-backs and wanting to give Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan a breather for the second half, midfielder Kevin Stewart filled in there alongside Andre Wisdom.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool were found wanting after the break as Roma turned the screw.

Two familiar names did the damage. Mohamed Salah, who snubbed the Reds' advances to sign for Chelsea two-and-a-half years ago, poked home the winner.

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Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko had opened the scoring before teenager Sheyi Ojo restored parity.

The opening 45 minutes were entertaining as both teams created a glut of chances.

Liverpool looked as menacing going forward as at any stage in pre-season as Daniel Sturridge came alive.

However, without the ball they looked horribly vulnerable with Roma repeatedly exploiting some gaping holes.

The organisation and tactical discipline that Klopp prides himself on were conspicuous by their absence. It was the first time midfield duo Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum had played together and it showed.

There was a Reds debut for Alex Manninger following his surprise summer move to Anfield on a free transfer from Augsburg.

The veteran keeper lined up alongside Ojo, who was just four months old when Manninger took his bow for Arsenal in 1997.

Manninger didn't have to wait long to be tested as he was forced into a sprawling save to deny lively winger Stephan El Shaarawy.

A clever flick from Belgium international Radja Nainggolan then released Dzeko but under pressure from Nathaniel Clyne he lifted the ball over the bar.

The imposing figure of Dzeko continued to cause Liverpool's backline problems but after turning away from Lovren he couldn't find the far corner.

As an attacking force, Klopp's side were slick with Sadio Mane, Ojo and Roberto Firmino linking up well with Sturridge.

Sturridge, who was much more influential than against Milan, repeatedly dropped off into space and caused problems.

A neat combination with Mane ended with Sturridge going clear but Becker Alisson denied him.

James Milner might not like playing left-back but once again he showcased his versatility after starting ahead of Moreno. The vice-captain provided the kind of defensive nous in that role which so often appears beyond the Spaniard.

Milner also made his mark going forward, delivering some quality deliveries. One picked out Sturridge, who was again thwarted by Alisson.

Liverpool fell behind on the half-hour mark with Lovren found wanting.

Dzeko took the ball down on his chest, the Croatian was slow to close him down and big frontman took full advantage, drilling low past Manninger from the edge of the box.

It was the first goal Liverpool had conceded from open play in their seventh pre-season friendly.

Initially, Klopp's men responded well. Sturridge saw his volley parried away before the equaliser arrived just on half-time.

Lovren headed Milner's corner back across goal for Ojo to nod home from close range.

Klopp made 10 changes at the break with Wijnaldum the only player retained.

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The £25million signing is clearly still finding his feet and after two appearances in a deeper midfield role the manager must be tempted to utilise his talents further forward.

Liverpool's second half display was horribly disjointed. Philippe Coutinho occasionally wowed the crowd and Danny Ings buzzed around with intent but they created precious little.

Roma's winner just past the hour mark was a comedy of errors.

Alessandro Florenzi was allowed to cross and some shoddy marking gifted Dzeko a free header.

Simon Mignolet blocked his bullet header but neither the keeper nor Wisdom reacted quickly enough to stop Salah from converting the rebound.

Ings went closest to grabbing an equaliser but his glancing header from Cameron Brannagan's free-kick was kept out by Alisson.

There is still much work to be done ahead of that trip to the Emirates in 12 days time. But there was enough to admire on this American adventure to believe that Klopp's optimism about the potential of his revamped squad isn't misplaced.

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MATCH FACTS

Liverpool: Manninger (Mignolet 45), Clyne (Alexander-Arnold 45), Lovren (Wisdom 45) , Klavan (Stewart 45), Milner (Moreno 45 (Randall 83)), Can (Henderson 45), Wijnaldum (Brannagan 70), Ojo (Markovic 45), Mane (Lallana 45), Firmino (Coutinho 45), Sturridge (Ings 45).

Attendance: 28, 573

Goals: Dzeko 30, Ojo 45, Salah 63

Bookings: Ojo, Jesus