Liverpool impressed as they ran out 4-0 winners over Barcelona at Wembley on Saturday thanks to strikes from Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Marko Grujic, as well as an own goal from ex-Red Javier Mascherano. Here are five things we learned from the Reds' penultimate preseason friendly:
1. Klopp does what he enjoys best
In a revealing interview with a 9-year-old boy, the Liverpool manager said that one of his favourite things about football was beating teams that he is not supposed to. He did just that on Saturday as his side completely blew away Barcelona. With the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets in the starting XI, on paper the Spanish side would have been favourites for the game; but the actual 90 minutes showed a completely different tale.
Liverpool's display in patches at Wembley mirrored the exact style Klopp wants to fully implement in his side. From minute one, Barcelona's defenders knew they were in for a tough shift. The Reds allowed the Spanish champions little, if any, time on the ball and all four goals on the day came from relentless pressing throughout the pitch. It's only preseason -- and Klopp did stress this in his post-match comments -- but he must have been encouraged by what he saw in the capital from his men with the start of the Premier League just a week away.
2. Firmino could start up front against Arsenal
Daniel Sturridge sat out the Barcelona friendly as a precaution due to a hip issue, so Klopp started Firmino up top with Philippe Coutinho and Mane supporting the Brazilian in attack. The German boss has used the exciting trio as forwards numerous times throughout the preseason to varying levels of success. Two of the three combined for Liverpool's opening goal, with Firmino playing in Mane, who kept his cool in the penalty area and fired home.