Pulisic knocks Liverpool’s fight out
American international Christian Pulisic scored two secondhalf goals to lift Borussia Dortmund to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in an International Champions Cup friendly in North Carolina on Saturday.
Pulisic almost completed the hat-trick in the 93rd minute but his blast from in close was stopped and the rebound went to teammate Jacob Bruun Larsen who deposited it into the net as Dortmund improved to 2-0 in the 18-team pre-season tournament.
With Mohamed Salah, Pedro Chirivella, Georginio Wijnaldum, Sadio Mane and Marko Grujic sitting out it was an inexperienced Liverpool side that took to the field at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 25th minute with a perfectly timed leaping header off a long cross from Andrew Robertson.
Dortmund’s best chance to score in the first half was a sharp angle shot by Marius Wolf that Liverpool keeper Loris Karius easily handled.
Both teams swapped out several players to begin the second half, which brought the German side to life.
Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo had a chance to pad the lead on a solo opportunity in the 64th minute but his shot deflected off goalkeeper Marwin Hitz, then bounced off the crossbar.
Pulisic tied it 1-1 in the 66th minute on a penalty conversion. He scored again in the 89th minute by finishing off a nice passing play with teammate Marcel Schmelzer.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have not hit top gear on their pre-season tour of the US but manager Jose Mourinho has said he is not worried as a majority of his first team players are yet to rejoin the squad following the World Cup.
United drew 1-1 with Club America before a goalless draw against San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.
Mourinho pointed out that his playing XI in both games did not resemble sides he would pick for Premier League matches.
Midfielder Nemanja Matic has arrived in the US to join the squad while goalkeeper David De Gea and new signing Fred are set to link up with their teammates soon.
Striker Alexis Sanchez played in the game against San Jose after resolving a visa issue that delayed his trip.
The Chile international has struggled to make an impact since his transfer from Arsenal in January.
United play AC Milan, Liverpool and Real Madrid in the US this month before travelling to Germany to take on Bayern Munich in their final preseason clash on August 5.