Liverpool 1 Huddersfield 2: Klopp’s men fall to friendly defeat against Championship leaders despite strong squad

LIVERPOOL’s sticky start to the season continued into the international break as a strong team fell to defeat against Huddersfield in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Melwood.

Jurgen Klopp named a side with a good mix of Premier League experience and youth, giving Danny Ings a full 90 minutes up-front whilst 18-year-old prospect Ovie Ejaria started in midfield.

There were also starts for Lucas, Roberto Firmino and James Milner against David Wagner’s side, who set the early pace in the second-tier.

The Reds began the game well and should’ve been ahead when Alberto Moreno‘s far post effort was cleared off the line.

And Ings – who was denied a loan move on deadline day – looked sharp as he headed a good effort wide.

It took Liverpool until after the break to open the scoring, Firmino’s teasing cross fired home by Ejaria following more good work by former Burnley man Ings.

But Huddersfield are a tough bunch this season and a near full-strength side immediately hit back at the hosts and were soon level.

Summer signing Jack Payne was released one-on-one and dummied his way past Alex Manninger before tapping into the empty net.

Chelsea youngster Kasey Palmer netted after just two minutes on his first start for Town in their season opener against Brentford, and he got the winner here after a Manninger mistake.

The young keeper looked to play out from the back but gave it straight to Palmer, who made no mistake.

These two played each other in pre-season, where Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners at the John Smith's Stadium.

Wagner was Klopp's No2 at Dortmund and was also the best man at his wedding - and his team is catching the eye after a busy summer, bringing in 12 new faces.

Liverpool face Leicester on Saturday whilst Huddersfield travel to West Yorkshire rivals Leeds.

Liverpool: Alex Manninger, James Milner, Joel Matip, Lucas, Alberto Moreno, Kevin Stewart (Joe Maguire, 72), Ovie Ejaria (Adam Phillips, 85), Roberto Firmino (Rafael Camacho, 86), Rhian Brewster (Pedro Chirivella, 57), Yan Dhanda (Connor Randall, 57), Danny Ings.
Huddersfield: Joe Murphy (Luke Coddington 45’); Tareiq Holmes-Dennis (Jacob Hanson 81’), Michael Hefele, Ivan Paurević, Martin Cranie; Philip Billing (Regan Booty 76’), Dean Whitehead; Harry Bunn, Jack Payne, Sean Scannell; Kasey Palmer (Rekeil Pyke 89’)