Liverpool 0 – 0 Las Palmas: Friendly match at Anfield ends without goals

Liverpool ended their pre-season with a goalless draw against Las Palmas in a closed-door match at Anfield. In an evening game without the usual hustle and bustle, both teams had chances but failed to capitalise, leaving the score unchanged at full-time.

The game provided Liverpool manager Arne Slot with one last opportunity to assess the depth and fitness of his squad, which fielded 31 players across the day’s two matches. This game was particularly important as it gave minutes to players such as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Andy Robertson, who were making their first appearances of the summer. There were several near misses throughout the game that could have tipped the balance, including a spectacular moment when Robertson’s shot hit the post, coming agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock.

The game started evenly and Liverpool gradually took control. Harvey Elliott played a key role, setting up an early chance for Gakpo which Jasper Cillessen effortlessly saved. Nunez also showed his danger when he had a goal disallowed for offside early in the match. In defence, Robertson made a crucial intervention to deny Las Palmas a goal-scoring opportunity, showing off his defensive skills as well as his offensive abilities.

As the game wore on, Liverpool’s intent became clearer. Nunez and Doak were involved in promising attacks that lacked the finishing touch. Robertson, a constant threat down the left, almost changed the course of the game with a beautifully curved shot that rebounded off the post. It was a moment that epitomised Liverpool’s night – full of intent but just short of execution.

In the second half, Liverpool continued to try to break down Las Palmas’ resistance. Substitute Wataru Endo brought energy and almost scored with a header, while Conor Bradley and Ben Doak repeatedly tested the Las Palmas defence without finding the net. Despite these efforts, the game approached a finish marked more by frustration than celebration.

This final friendly served as a practical dry run for Liverpool to fine-tune tactics and player readiness for their Premier League opening match against Ipswich Town. The game highlighted the need for accurate finishing and perhaps highlighted areas where Slot needs to work in training.

As Liverpool move from pre-season to competitive matches, the focus will shift from experimentation to execution. The lessons learned from this game against Las Palmas will be crucial in shaping a team that can compete on all fronts next season. Fans and pundits will be watching closely to see how the tactical nuances tried out during these friendlies translate to the high stakes of league play.

With pre-season now behind them, Liverpool look set to embark on an exciting season under Arne Slot’s management. The real test begins in Ipswich, where the fruits of their summer’s labour will be put to the ultimate test.