A comprehensive display from Liverpool saw them defeat Borussia Dortmund 4-0. The premier league runners up were far too superior for the Bundesliga runners up. With a full strength team named by Brendan Rogers, goals from Daniel Sturridge, new signing Dejan Lovern, Phillipe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson saw the reds win convincing.

Liverpool started well with slick passing throughout the midfield. The team included new signings Dejan Lovern, Emre Can and recent addition Javier Manquillo who joined on loan from Atletico Madrid. Adopting 4-3-3, Coutinho and Sterling were supporting Sturridge who was playing through the middle. The first chance for the reds came after 4 minutes, great movement in the middle between Coutinho, Sturridge and Henderson with the Brazilian play maker feeding an intricate ball behind the Dortmund right back. Sterling cut inside but his shot was easily saved by the Dortmund keeper. It didn’t take long for Liverpool to break the deadlock, Lovern fed a ball through the middle to Coutinho who showed wonderful skill and precision to flick a ball off the outside of his right boot over the Dortmund center half. Sturridge was on to it in a flash, entered the penalty area and with the outside of his left foot, poked the ball home. 4 minutes later Lovern headed home a Gerrard corner to double the Liverpool lead.

Liverpool were far sharper and slicker in possession than the German runners up with them having one eye on the German Super Cup vs Bayern on Wednesday. Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge continued to link up very well, showing that they will still play the same way without the departed Suarez. Coutinho movement and skill was highlighting the strange decision it was to leave him out of the Brazilian world cup squad. On the stroke of half time, Gerrard saw a free kick well saved by Langerak in the Dortmund goal.

Liverpool started in the same vein in the second half with the reds pressing high on to Dortmund. The third for Liverpool came after a mistake at the back for the visitors, Sterling ran onto a misplaced pass by Ginter. Sterling looked up and saw Coutinho in the inside left channel, he fed the ball through, two touches and he finished low and hard under the keeper. Gerrard was playing in his familiar quarter back role and playing it well allowing Henderson to venture forward much like he did last season. Dortmund were chasing shadows at times and they were for Liverpool’s fourth. Brilliant one touch passing carved through the Dortmund defense but Coutinho low cross to Sturridge was over hit. The England striker recovered the ball on the byline, cut back past the approaching defender to play the ball back to his England team mate Jordan Henderson to slot home. Dormund looked off the pace which could be concerning with the cup match vs Bayern on Wednesday. Losing Lewandoski would be a miss to any team at this level but the team needs time to gel together.

The German runners up lost the title by 19 points to Bayern last season and it would be concerning with the champions getting even stronger. Jurgen Klopp needs to continue the work he has been doing but Liverpool made them look ordinary. The key aspect for Liverpool is the fact the clean sheet and how well the defense did. Manquillo looked comfortable at right back with Lovern slotting right in at center half both eager and easy on the ball. Liverpool have brought in several key men who will build and strengthen the squad, but still think they will need another striker to fill the void of goals and chances Luis Suarez created last season.