Liverpool were defeated 3-1 by Lyon in the Dubai Super Cup, with former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette scoring a brace for the Ligue 1 side.
Fabio Carvalho gave Jurgen Klopp’s team the lead in the opening minute before Mohamed Salah missed a penalty.
After Bradley Barcola’s goal in the 65th minute, Lyon scored an equalizer through Lacazette in the 41st minute, and he sealed the victory in the 82nd.
After Salah’s shot was blocked, Carvalho nearly immediately gave Liverpool the lead, but they wasted an opportunity to extend their lead 13 minutes later.
When Roberto Firmino was pulled down nearby, Anthony Lopes used his foot to block Salah’s meek spot-kick.
Just before halftime, Lyon equalized the score after capitalizing on that save. Following some strong work from Rayan Cherki, Lacazette took full advantage of a defensive blunder by Liverpool to score, before Barcola gave Lyon the lead in the 65th minute.
After Calvin Ramsay’s attempt was stopped by Lopes, the game ended in a shootout, which Lyon won after Lacazette scored his second goal of the game and his team converted all five of their penalties to secure the victory.
In the Dubai Super Cup’s post-match penalty shootouts, Calvin Ramsay’s save proved to be the deciding factor and denied Liverpool the consolation of a bonus point.
But on Friday, when they play Milan in their second and final friendly, Jurgen Klopp’s team will have a chance to make amends.
First-half inspiration for Klopp
Even though Liverpool ultimately lost the day, you get a feeling that Klopp won’t be too concerned by what he saw during their first friendly.
When the Reds had a lineup that basically matched their starting XI for the first 45 minutes, they played exceptionally well.
And it wasn’t until a flurry of substitutions in the second half that Lyon, who are one game ahead in their preparation for the return of club football, began to wear them down.
This exhibition game showed enough evidence that Klopp’s team will be prepared when the Premier League returns.
Jurgen Klopp reveals more information on Liverpool next plan for Luis Diaz’s injury
Luis Diaz’s injury setback, according to Jurgen Klopp, is a “real bash in the face,” and Liverpool is preparing for yet another period without the important winger.
Diaz hasn’t played for the Reds since the team’s 3-2 loss to Arsenal in early October due to a knee injury, but he was expected to make a comeback during the midseason friendlies in Dubai before he was sidelined once more on Friday.
According to reports in Diaz’s home country of Colombia, he will require surgery and be sidelined until March. Any extended absence would be a serious setback for a player who has thrived since joining for £37 million from Porto at the conclusion of the January transfer window.
“He is not in the best possible place [mentally], that is clear,” Klopp said after his side’s 3-1 loss to Lyon in the Dubai Super Cup on Sunday. “It was a big disappointment for all of us and him as well. It was a nothing situation in training, honestly.”
