Liverpool vs Darmstadt

Preston’s Deepdale is the venue as Liverpool an Darmstadt meet in a lopsided pre-season encounter.

Liverpool enjoyed a stellar pre-season start, scoring precisely four goals in their opening three exhibition matches (W2, D1) before slumping to a goal-glutted 4-3 defeat to perennial Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich last time out. Regardless of that recent upset, Jurgen Klopp’s well-oiled machine continues to rain down goals, having netted at least three in five consecutive games in the build-up to this clash. Four of those five fixtures produced multiple first-half goals, highlighting the potential for a quick-fire start. Interestingly, two of Liverpool’s four summer friendlies have come against Darmstadt’s Bundesliga 2. rivals Greuther Furth and Karlsruher, both of which saw both sides score at least twice in matches garnering over 5.5 total goals.

In stark contrast to Liverpool’s action-packed summer fixtures, Darmstadt’s pre-season has been anything but exciting, with TorstenLieberknecht’s side failing to get on the scoresheet in all four exhibition contests. If it’s any consolation, they racked up two clean sheets in those four matches (D2, L2), but it’s worth noting one of their two defeats in that run came against Liverpool’s domestic adversaries Norwich City. Based on Darmstadt’s woeful pre-season performances, it’s unfathomable how they secured a runner-up finish in last season’s Bundesliga 2. campaign and, in turn, earned top-flight promotion. Speaking of their underwhelming showings, the Germans have drawn a blank in six of their last eight outings!