HIGHLIGHT: Liverpool player ratings and analysis from 0-0 draw with Las Palmas

Liverpool 0 Las Palmas 0 – highlights and reaction

 

Live coverage from Liverpool’s behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly against La Liga outfit Las Palmas at Anfield

 

 

A different Liverpool XI will take on Las Palmas at Anfield, which follows the 4-1 win over Sevilla at the ground(Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)

 

Liverpool drew 0-0 with Las Palmas in their second of two pre-season friendlies at Anfield today. It came on the back of the 4-1 win over Sevilla.

 

Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz (2) and Trey Nyoni got the goals for the Reds as new head coach Arne Slot continued the winning start to his reign.

 

The Dutchman had previously oversaw victories over Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United during the club’s tour of America, which proved very successful on and off the pitch.

 

But to the delight of the Liverpool supporters packed into the sun-kissed ground, his side, certainly in the first half, produced their best performance of the summer so far.

 

In contrast to the Sevilla encounter, the game with their La Liga rivals Las Palmas was played behind closed doors, with no fans present in the ground. They did not miss much.

 

Our chief LFC writer Ian Doyle and LFC reporter Theo Squires are present at Anfield to bring you updates from the friendly and all the best post-match reaction and analysis

 

Key Events

 

Full-time: Liverpool 0-0 Las Palmas18:46

 

Liverpool team16:01

 

20:23Paul Wheelock

 

Arne Slot gives Liverpool transfers update as Martin Zubimendi decision nears

 

And just before we wrap up, here’s what Arne Slot said when he was asked about transfers after the match…

 

As a club like we are, we are always looking if we can strengthen the squad but it is not so easy to strengthen the squad, if you saw both games today. I said many times before I inherited a real strong team and if we can and if we think it is possible we will strengthen the squad but only if we can and only if we think it is possible.

 

Read the full story HERE.

 

We’ll have more from the Liverpool head coach in the morning.

 

But until then, goodnight.

 

19:34Paul Wheelock

 

HIGHLIGHT: Liverpool player ratings and analysis from 0-0 draw with Las Palmas

Ian Doyle, for the second time today, was on player ratings duty.

And he’s really earning his corn today because he’s also written our on-the-whistle, which concerns the one area of the field Arne Slot has yet to solve. Much like

Arne Slot during Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Las

It could suggest a lot

It was surprising that both players didn’t feature. Sepp van den Berg is clearly a man in demand while reports earlier today suggested Kaide Gordon is Swansea City bound.

Full-time: Liverpool 0-0 Las Palmas

Just as well there weren’t any fans in to watch this one. It wasn’t very good.

I’m going to say it in hope I jinx it… with four minutes left, I don’t think we’re getting a goal in

Doak shot blocked… by Morton

Elliott with a fine pass to release Doak in the area, who cuts inside and fires a goalbound shot that is blocked by Morton. Frustrating. Has been better from Liverpool this half, but now a very fringe side

Liverpool make changes

Moleiro forces a save from Kelleher. Rare Las Palmas forward sortie this half.

Liverpool have introduced Morton – second game of the day for him – along with Blair and Nallo for Gakpo, Nunez and Phillips.

Robertson so close

That’s the closest Liverpool have come to a goal, with Robertson curling a shot from the edge of the area on to the crossbar.

It’s the last action for the Reds skipper who is then replaced by Scanlon.

Konate is now the captain on

Nunez should score

The chances are coming for Liverpool after the break. Nunez has missed the best one after playing in by Doak, shooting straight at Cillessen from close-range

Gakpo has shot wide, Endo has gone close with a couple of headers, while Doak has also had an effort deflected behind. Keep them coming, boys!

Underway once more

The second half has started with Liverpool attacking the Anfield Road stand.

They haven’t made any changes during the break.

17:48Ian Doyle

Half-time ratings

Caoimhin Kelleher 6

Made a mess of attempting to claim one difficult cross but good stop to keep out a Suarez volley.

Conor Bradley 6

Started slowly with misplaced passes but better once he began to settle.

Nat Phillips 6

Didn’t always look comfortable in possession but good in the air.

Ibrahima Konate 7

Solid and decisive defending helped mop up a few potential issues. Brought the ball out of defence whenever possible.

Andy Robertson 6

One good clearance as Las Palmas threatened but not much chance to raid down left flank before break.

Wataru Endo 6

Another who didn’t appear sharp from the first whistle and struggled at times, but good pass created chance for Gakpo.

Curtis Jones 6

Plenty of endeavour and a few good touches before interval but limited influence on game.

Ben Doak 7

Had shot blocked after one mazy run and at least offered a bit of pace in the Liverpool attack.

Harvey Elliott 6

Wasn’t involved as much as would have wanted first half and unhappy at one challenge from Munoz.

Cody Gakpo 6

Fired good opening wastefully at goalkeeper and too peripheral on the left flank before the break.

Darwin Nunez 6

Offered himself on occasion as a target man but best work came when given space in which to

Half-time: Liverpool 0-0 Las Palmas

Not the most thrilling first half, it has to be

Drinks break as Liverpool toil

It may not be quite as toasty as earlier but there’s still reason for players from both sides to have a drinks break on the half-hour.

Las Palmas have offered more going forward than Sevilla although that’s partly down to this Liverpool line-up not being able to keep hold of the ball well enough.

The Reds, though, have had some chances. But it’s a game that really hasn’t got going so far. It’s as quiet as the

Doak shot blocked

Doak cuts inside from the right, beats a number of men but his shot is blocked.

Good opportunity for the young Scot, here. Plenty of speculation about his future at the moment, regarding whether Liverpool could even let him leave permanently. Would be a shock, though, as just demonstrated, that final ball remains lacking at times.

He is only 18 though. Plenty of time to develop. You’d like to think back at Anfield too after a successful loan. We’ll see.

Better from Kelleher as he makes a decent stop from a Suarez volley at his far post after a corner dropped to the Las Palmas man.

Doak and Munoz have a collision that sounds painful but they are both back up now.

Let-off for Kelleher

Kelleher spills a cross, with Robertson first on the scene but booting it up into the air rather than clearing it away to add to the confusion.

The Irishman gathers at the second attempt at least.

Liverpool go close

Liverpool should be ahead. A good ball from the edge of the area by Endo puts Gakpo in, but his shot lacks conviction and bobbles through to the goalkeeper.

Then moments later Doak gets his head to a deep ball and heads it back across goal where Nunez prods home from close range, but the Uruguayan is offside.

Elliott very unhappy with a late challenge and has to be dragged away from Javi Munoz. Booking for the Las Palmas player

Las Palmas are passing it around well here. Liverpool having to be alert defensively with Ibrahima Konate already called into action a couple of times with blocks and interceptions.

Curious that it is Nat Phillips starting alongside the Frenchman, rather than Joe Gomez or Sepp van den

We’ve now started the game. Las Palmas are in yellow shirts with blue socks and shorts.

The Spaniards have won the toss so Liverpool will be kicking towards the Kop for the first half.

Not entirely sure how much difference that will make

Now, everyone who follows Liverpool knows all about Steve Hunter – the happiest man in football journalism.

And with there being no crowd here, those present can very much hear his booming tones blaring out from his commentary position.

Robertson at the ready

This will be a big game for Robertson who, at least due to fitness issues, appears to have fallen behind Tsimikas in the immediate pecking order at left-back.

The Scotland international had a testing last 12 months and will hoping to impress new head coach

The pitchside announcer has just read out the teams to the crowd over the PA system – a crowd which at present consists of a handful of stewards and ground staff, the Las Palmas players and those among the assembled media who have decided to also take in the second game.

This is a reminder of the bad old days of the pandemic with the music blaring out and the players going through their warm-ups as normal.

Except, of course, there’s nobody here apart from the staff and the media.

At least it’s not absolutely freezing like it seeed to be for every game behind closed doors in 2020/21. Would rather not go back to that, thank you very much

Liverpool supporters will love what Diogo Jota said about Arne Slot after Sevilla win

Diogo Jota spoke after the win over Sevilla. Read what he had to say about the “demanding” Arne Slot, his goal

Diogo Jota shows his appreciation to the fans at the end of the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Sevilla at Anfield

First pre-season outings for three Liverpool players

Andy Robertson is fit again after an ankle injury and he makes his first appearance under Arne Slot, as do Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, who went deep into their respective international tournaments over the

Liverpool team

Liverpool: Kelleher, Bradley, Phillips, Konate, Robertson, Endo, Jones, Elliott, Doak, Nunez, Gakpo. Subs: Davies, Scanlon, Gordon, Nallo, Van den Berg, Morton, Blair.