Liverpool were beaten 4-2 by AC Milan as they stepped up their pre-season preparations on Saturday.
There was plenty of excitement about the Reds heading into the game, with the arrival of Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday whetting the appetite ahead of the match.
Unfortunately, Liverpool did not deliver in terms of the result, as they were far too easily beaten on the counterattack several times.
Nevertheless, there were still positives to take from the game, not least the performance of record signing Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz put in a stunning 45-minute display to highlight exactly what he’s going to bring to this Liverpool team.
And as former Reds striker Neil Mellor mentioned, the way the German linked up with Mohamed Salah in particular was especially pleasing.
Florian Wirtz already gelling with Mohamed Salah
Liverpool supporters have been desperate to see Wirtz in action ever since his signing was confirmed in June.
There were some clips from last weekend’s win over Stoke, but Saturday was the first time fans had the chance to watch Wirtz in the flesh.
It’s safe to say he did not disappoint. And speaking to LFCTV at half time of the match in Hong Kong, Mellor praised the link-up with Salah.
“He’s always looking how to find Salah and how can they link up,” said the pundit. “That pass for Salah is absolutely brilliant. That little speed inside the box just to get the touch away from the defender to create the chance for Salah.”
READ MORE: Neil Mellor names ‘standout’ Liverpool player who has impressed him in both pre-season games so far
“This kid is incredible, he really is an incredible football player,” raved Mellor. “He’s willing to work off the ball as well. We know how good he is on the ball, it but he’s willing to work for the team. On the ball he’s creative, he’s intelligent, looking to link up.
“He’s a player who can make a difference in the final third, his head’s up, always looking what can he pick out and I thought what really stood out is that he was always looking for Salah. That link-up this season will be really important, He was constantly involved and that’s what you want for a player like him. He was operating as a false nine but he popped up in the six as well.”
Wirtz and Salah can win Liverpool trophies
Last season, Salah was left to do the bulk of both scoring and creating for Liverpool. This term, Wirtz has clearly been brought in to take the pressure off the Egyptian.
On Saturday, it was already clear that the two are going to enjoy playing together.
There was one moment, which Mellor refers to, where Wirtz and Salah linked up beautifully in the box. After the German found Salah in the box, he really should have hit it.
However, the Liverpool legend clearly wanted his new teammate to get on the scoresheet himself, and tried to find him again. An AC Milan defender cut the ball out to stop what would have been a sensational goal.
That won’t be the last time we see Wirtz and Salah bamboozling defences, and that is a fantastic thought for Liverpool fans.
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