REPORT | Chester 0-7 Liverpool

LIVERPOOL proved a tough test for the Blues on a hot afternoon at the Swansway Chester Stadium, who eventually ran out 7-0 winners.

Craig Mahon forged the Blues’ first opportunity of the encounter with twenty minutes on the clock. The Irish winger made the most of a wasted ball in midfield from the Reds, and continued his run at goal, before directly firing his effort into the hands of Loris Karius.

Moments later, Jordan Archer nearly put the Blues firmly into the driving seat. After weaving his way beyond the Liverpool defenders, the 24-year old directed his effort into the trailing leg of Karius, who managed to get a strong enough touch to the ball to concede the corner.

Jürgen Klopp’s side were putting up a fight of their own however, and looked dangerous on the counter attack. Upon his return to the club after his loan spell with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, the Belgian attempted to break down the Blues defence with a rasping effort, only for Jon Moran to pull off an excellent block.

Minutes before the break, Harry Wilson fired the visitors into the lead. New signing Grant Shenton did extremely well to deny a strong effort from Alberto Moreno, but with space in the area, the Welsh-international calmly placed the ball into the back of the net.

Liverpool doubled their advantage in first half added time, and Wilson added to his tally. A delightful ball over the top from Dominic Solanke fed the attacking midfielder through on goal, and he placed the ball beyond Shenton.

With the second half only three minutes old, the Reds netted their third of the encounter. Daniel Sturbridge escaped the offside trap to find himself through on goal, but Shenton hauled down the former England international to the ground to concede the spot kick. Calm and composed as ever from 12-yards out, James Milner rolled the ball into the back of the net.

Sturridge then found himself on the scoresheet. The 28-year old found plenty of space in the box after a deflected clearance and fired his strong effort beyond Shenton.

As Blues fans celebrated England’s second goal in Samara, Ryan Kent put Klopp’s side five goals to the good. The former-England U20s winger shaped himself up on the edge of the box, and blasted his strike into the top corner.

Liverpool looked in cruise control and grabbed a sixth in the final ten minutes of the game. Milner played across a smart back heel for former Burnley man Danny Ings, who sealed the win for the visitors.

But, the Reds weren’t finished just yet, and neither was Daniel Sturridge. After finding plenty of space on the edge of the penalty area, the striker found the bottom corner with a stunning effort.