Reds’ young stars stake their claim
A YOUNG Liverpool side signed off pre-season with a routine 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.
Inaki Williams pounced on some slack defending to cancel out Roberto Firmino’s penalty and level for the La Liga side.
But teenager Ben Woodburn and former Chelsea youngster Dominic Solanke struck in the second half at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Woodburn rifled home a fine shot from the edge of the area. And new signing Solanke put the result beyond doubt with his third goal of the summer.
A minute’s applause was held in memory of former England manager Graham Taylor, who died in January, ahead of Watford’s goalless draw with Real Sociedad.
There were few chances in the match, meaning the two sides shared the inaugural Graham Taylor Trophy.
A host of former Hornets players and coaches were paraded in front of the crowd, while BBC commentator John Motson paid tribute to his friend and former colleague in a pre-match address.
On the pitch Marco Silva’s men were left to rue a Stefano Okaka disallowed goal and Isaac Success’ missed second-half opportunity.
Southampton warmed up for their Premier League opener against Swansea with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sevilla at St Mary’s.
Mauricio Pellegrini’s men won thanks to goals from Jack Stephens and Manolo Gabbiadini.
Stephens opened the scoring for the south coast side with a deflected effort.
The Saints’ second came eight minutes from time.
Former Rangers midfielder Steven Davis’s flick found Gabbiadini, who fired low into the net, as ex-Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster kept a clean sheet.
Swansea also completed pre-season on a high, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Sampdoria.
Leroy Fer’s opened the scoring with a header just before half time, before second-half goals from Tammy Abraham and Federico Fernandez and an own goal from former Sunderland midfielder Ricardo Alvarez completed the rout.
A goal from Mame Biram Diouf and a Marvin Compper own goal earned Stoke City a 2-1 victory over Red Bull Leipzig in Germany.
Burnley’s pre-season friendly at home to Hannover was abandoned on police advice amid crowd trouble. The Clarets were leading 1-0 at half-time when the announcement came.