Liverpool 3 Athletic Bilbao 1: Reds ease to victory WITHOUT Philippe Coutinho ahead of new season

LIVERPOOL comfortably overcame Athletic Bilbao with ease and they did so without their talisman Philippe Coutinho - who continues to be out with a back problem.

Roberto Firmino, Ben Woodburn and Dominic Solanke stepped up in the Brazilian's absence and netted for Jurgen Klopp's side at the Aviva Stadium.

The Reds are currently standing firm regarding Coutinho after he has been linked with Barcelona throughout the summer.

And since Neymar's staggering £189million move to Paris Saint-Germain, it is believed the Catalan giants are stepping up their pursuit for the attacking midfielder.

Inaki Williams equalised for Bilbao before Woodburn and Solanke struck to seal the victory in Liverpool's last pre-season match.

And with Coutinho being a doubt for Liverpool's Premier League opener away to Watford, Klopp says Solanke is pushing for a place in the starting XI.

Klopp said: “Before the season, everybody thought he is a pure addition.

"Maybe he is this because he has time. But he has shown also that he is ready for some adult football.”

Alongside Coutinho's absence, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge also were not risked by the German boss.

Klopp has taken a lot of positives from pre-season as they have not lost a game inside 90 minutes - with their only defeat coming against Atletico Madrid on penalties.

He added: "We’ve had a lot of games in pre-season and we didn’t lose one. We had two draws and lost on penalties to Atletico Madrid. It’s a good sign.

“We played well but gave up two chances before half time. But perfect in pre-season is the biggest mistake you can made. It is where you want to make wrong decisions.”

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