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Liverpool started their pre-season campaign with a win and certain players definitely showed their worth.

Football has returned and the Reds gave the fans a promising performance, beating Championship side Preston 3-1 at Deepdale.

Tributes to Diogo Jota took place before, during and after the game, with his former teammates certainly doing him proud after a solid performance.

Arne Slot experimented to good effect, new and current players were given some much-needed minutes, and youngsters got the chance to show the Dutchman what they are made of.

The Reds will want to build upon this performance as they begin their pre-season tour of Asia, so here are five things we learnt from their opening game that could be worth keeping note of ahead of the new campaign.

The Italian looked lively and enjoyed a good 45 minutes, with the 27-year-old playing a key role in the opening goal after a good piece of skill.

He may not have got on the scoresheet but it is certainly a promising sign from a player who has previously struggled, with his versatility perhaps a way of finding himself more minutes.

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Pre-season is a time for youngsters to prove their worth, whether that be to get a chance to go out on loan or even play for the first-team, and the latter may apply for Rio Ngumoha.

The 16-year-old was excellent for the Reds in the first-half, with his pace, trickery and low centre of gravity, causing real problems for the Preston defence.

The winger set the attack up for the first goal with a bursting run forward and he looked dangerous almost every time he touched the ball, suggesting he could have a very big season ahead if given the chance.

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Everyone knew just how good Milos Kerkez was during his time at Bournemouth, but the Hungarian has shown to the Liverpool fans what type of player they now have on their hands.

He was energetic, forward-thinking and strong in his challenge, three traits that will remind many of a prime Andy Robertson.

READ MORE: Florian Wirtz and Virgil van Dijk left out of Liverpool’s squad to face Preston for the same reason

It is no surprise the Scotsman may have been fearing for his place in the team as Kerkez has made an instant impact in the short space of time he was given, although all the signs suggest he is going to be a phenomenal signing.



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Slot decided to start with Conor Bradley instead of new signing Jeremie Frimpong, perhaps a slight hint at where the manager’s head is at.

It proved to be the right choice as well because Bradley opened the scoring for the Reds in the 33rd with a tidy finish, celebrating with a tribute to Jota.

After a more than adequate first half, he was replaced by Frimpong, who also played well and showed why Liverpool signed him.

Both look like the ‘typical Liverpool full-back’ and will go on to battle it out for a starting spot, suggesting this area of the pitch could give Slot a big headache going forwards.

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Just like Ngumoha, Ben Doak will be hoping to use pre-season as a chance to break into the first-team, and he did not do his chances any harm in this game.

The winger was lively and looked inventive, trying to create chances from very little, while working hard off the ball.

He may not have stood out head and shoulders above the rest, but he certainly left a good impression, something he will hope to build on in the coming weeks as clubs sniff around in case he decides to move on.