2. Bundesliga
Fürth super sub Sieb gives Liverpool fright
The Cloverleaves would have pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind win against Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool thanks to Armindo Sieb's double but for Mo Salah's late goal.
Greuther Fürth 4-4 Liverpool
Goals: 0-1 Diaz 22', 1-1 McConnell (o.g.) 47', 1-2 Nunez 50', 1-3 Nunez 59, 2-3 Petkov 67', 3-3 Sieb 74', 4-3 Sieb 77', 4-4 Salah 89'
The town of Villingen-Schwenningen played host to this behind-closed-doors friendly that pulsated from the off. Fürth's last test before next Sunday's second-division opener against Paderborn could hardly have come against tougher opponnets. Sure enough, Liverpool stretched Alexander Zorniger's team early on yet had to wait until the 22nd minute before hitting the front. Luis Diaz collected possession outside of the area before skilfully dragging the ball into the danger zone. The Colombian's subsequent poked finish to the far post was worthy of praise. Diogo Jota and Diaz then missed solid chances to double the Reds' lead as Klopp's men headed into the break deserved of their narrow lead.
The English side changed their entire team for the second half and Fürth - showing just one change at the break - took advantge as their opponents attempted to settle. An error from goalkeeper Adrian led to a James McConnell own goal. Darwin Nunez quickly had Liverpool back in front after accepting Mo Salah's through pass, however. Nunez's second meant that the Bundesliga 2 side were now playing catch-up, but how they revelled in the task. Lukas Petkov accepted captain Branimir Hrgota's assist before finishing from an angle while Sieb brilliantly struck the top corner to level the scores. The former Bayern Munich man's second was even more impressive, the 20-year-old drilling into the corner from distance. With time ticking down, Salah popped up at the far post to convert Nunez's centre. The Uruguayan would have won it but for a superb Jonas Urbig save in what was the last action of a mesmerising contest.
Watch: Jürgen Klopp - Made in the Bundesliga
Match stats
- Fürth are three-time champions of Germany and have spent two seasons in the Bundesliga (2012/13 and 2021/22).
- Branimir Hrgota was Greuther’s top scorer last season with 11 goals in 34 games, followed by former USA international Julian Green (seven in 29).
- Klopp oversaw Bundesliga 340 matches as Mainz and Dortmund coach, winning the 2011 and 2012 title with the latter.
- Klopp's record as a coach in meetings with Fürth reads: W4, D1, L7.
- Szoboszlai registered 12 goals and 16 assists across 62 Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig, while Thiago won seven Bundesliga titles with Bayern.
- Liverpool defender Joel Matip is a product of Schalke's acclaimed youth academy.
Teams
Fürth: Urbig - Dietz, Jung, Itter - Asta, Green, R. Wagner, Meyerhöfer, Hrgota - Srbeny, Lemperle
Subs: Schaffran, Schulz, Calhanoglu, Haddadi, Michalski, Angleberger, Consbruch, Petkov, Raebiger, Abiama, Sieb
Out: Kiomourtzoglou (ankle)
Coach: Alexander Zorniger
Liverpool: Alisson - Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson - Alexander-Arnold, Mac Allister, Gakspo - Doak, Diaz, Jota
Subs: Adrian, Pitaluga, Gomez, Nunez, Salah, Jones, Elliot, Tsimikas, Matip, Clark, Scanlow, McConnell, Koumas, Quansah, Frauendorf
Out: Thiago (hip), Szoboszlai (knock), Bajcetic (recovery)
Coach: Jürgen Klopp
As it happened ...
90'
Full time
What a game that was! We've had SEVEN second-half goals to keep us entertained. At 3-1 down, it looked as if Fürth's race was run, but a brilliant fightback, which contained an Armindo Sieb double, put the Bundesliga 2 side 4-3 in front. Mo Salah rescued a draw for the Reds at the death. Tremendous fun.
90'
Nunez almost wins it
Darwin Nunez is right in front of the Fürth keeper when he meets a centre form the right with his head. He nods low and hard, but somehow Urbig makes a phenomenal save to keep the scores level!
89'
Salah leveller
Nunez is away down the left and the attacker spots Mo Salah menacing at the far post. The cross comes in and Salah applies the finish from close range.
84'
Fürth edging closer
Jomaine Consbruch makes a last-ditch tackle as Liverpool go in search of an equaliser. Alexander Zorniger's men are not far away from a big scalp here. What a result this would be ahead of their season opener against Paderborn on Sunday!
78'
Cloverleaves lead!!
Amazing! What an afternoon this is turning into for Sieb! He takes possession outside the area, turns his man and fires low and hard all the way into the far corner of the net. That's a brilliant finish.
73'
Fürth level
A superb goal on the counter from Fürth, who have come from a couple of goals down to draw level! Hrgota starts the move, spreading to Petkov who in turn picks out substitute Sieb. The youngster unleashes a terrific effort that flies into the top corner and we're level.
68'
Petkov pounces
Hrgota controls the looping pass and knocks one back into the danger zone. Liverpool's defenders are asleep, allowing Lukas Petkov the chance to drive wide of Adrian and into the corner.
65'
Hrgota chance
Hrgota latches onto the through ball and is in. Adrian spreads himself, narrowing the angles, and Hrgota takes the bait and lashes wide.
63'
Koumas wide
Koumas is in on the right but the Liverpool attacker smacks low and wide of the near post when he had options to aim for in the centre.
60'
Reds' line-up
Here's how Liverpool are lining up in the second half following a full-team change at the break: Adrian - Gomez, Mateo, Quansah, Tsimikas - McConnell, Elliot, Jones - Koumas, Salah, Nunez
59'
Liverpool stretch lead
Fürth are wide open at the back now and when Salah lifts a pass in for Nunez, the Uruguayan chests the ball forward, beats the last man and slides in an easy finish.
57'
Lemperle miss
Green plays Lemperle in and the forward is one v one against Adrian, who pulls off an incredible save to make up for his earlier effort. Lemperle has to score there.
53'
Salah off target
Mo Salah is through on the right and shapes to shoot for the top left corner of the goal. The Egyptian's effort fizzes over the top.
50'
... but not for long
Liverpool attack immediately after going behind with Salah dragging a pass into Nunez, who pushes wide of Urbig before lashing home from close range.
48'
Fürth level
A hurried clearance from Liverpool sub goalkeeper Adrian and Julian Green is in to dart a finish into the corner.
46'
Off we go again ...
Liverpool get the second half underway.
45'
Half time
Liverpool lead at the break thanks to that neat Diaz strike.
41'
Hrgota hurt
Fürth's captain takes a smack in the face with a ball and heads over to the touchline with a bloody nose. Some cotton wool rammed into the right nostril and Hrgota is good to go once more.
36'
Jota hits woodwork
Asta does brilliantly to clear his lines with Jota prowling. The Portuguese is soon back attacking, however, and he escapes the clutches of Urbig before falling back and sending a shot against the post.
32'
Water break!
Time for some well-earned refreshment for both teams. New Yorker Maximilian Dietz is receiving some treatment for a knock but looks ok to continue.
29'
Relentless Reds
Gakpo is the latest player to have a pop for the men in Red. His shot from inside the area is deflected over the top. The subsequent corner comes to nothing.
26'
Fürth relief
Loose from Jung, who gives up possession far too easily. Doak pounces on the loose ball and plays Diaz through. The attacker tries to take it around the keeper but runs out of pitch. A let off for Fürth.
23'
Jota misses sitter
Klopp's men should be 2-0 up. Jota races clean through but drags his finish wide of the upright. That was a phenomenal chance.
21'
Reds lead
A very tidy goal from Liverpool. Diaz picks up possession outside the Fürth area. The Colombian shifts his feet and drags the ball inside the area before poking a brilliant finish in at the far post.
16'
Cloverleaves on the ball
Fürth are slowly coming into this match. Gideon Jung's cross from the right is headed clear by Gakpo.
13'
Doak lively
Doak has been the busiest player by far on the pitch thus far. The youngster drills a low effort at goal, which Urbig gets down to deal with.
10'
Green and Doak bump
Doak and USMNT man Julian Green clash out on the wing and the game is held up with the Liverpool man needing treatment.
7'
Diaz tester
Wagner and Asta combine for Fürth in the Liverpool half but Diaz nips in to dispossess and the Colombian is off towards the target. The attacker pings one towards the far post and Urbig makes a top, two-handed save on the dive.
4'
Reds again
Doak escapes down the right and blasts wide of the near post. Liverpool have started strongly here. Fürth are still looking to settle.
2'
Liverpool attacking
Jürgen Klopp's men are taking the game to their opponents early on. Jota and Robertson combine to create the game's first attack, which Fürth survive.
1'
Kick-off!
The storms have abated and we're underway ...
Here come Liverpool
The Reds are jogging onto the pitch and we're about to get this friendly underway.
Fürth out!
Fürth have made their way onto the pitch and are looking in determined mood. We await the appearance of Liverpool ...
DELAYED KICK-OFF
Storms in the area have forced the kick-off to today's friendly to be delayed. We'll have a new starting time of 13:15 CET.
Fürth starting XI
Urbig - Dietz, Jung, Itter - Asta, Green, R. Wagner, Meyerhöfer, Hrgota - Srbeny, Lemperle
Team news
The visitors welcome goalkeeper Alisson back after the Brazilian sat out last week's friendly win against Karlsruhe with a finger complaint. New signing Dominik Szoboszlai sits this one out, however, with the former Leipzig man nursing a slight knock.
Liverpool starting XI
Alisson - Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson - Alexander-Arnold, Mac Allister, Gakspo - Doak, Diaz, Jota
Liverpool subs
Adrian, Pitaluga, Gomez, Nunez, Salah, Jones, Elliot, Tsimikas, Matip, Clark, Scanlow, McConnell, Koumas, Quansah, Frauendorf
"Incredible potential"
Alexander Zorniger has been happy with his team's progress in pre-season thus far, the Fürth boss noting, "The [friendly] games and also one or two training sessions have shown that we have an incredible amount of potential in attack. We now have to convert this potential into quality," the tactician said.
Fürth's big test
The Bavarians are facing into a big week as they get set to kick-off their Bundesliga 2 challenge against Paderborn at the Sportpark Ronhof next Sunday. A huge test against English Premier League side Liverpool will provide Alexander Zorniger's men with plenty of intense practice as they look to start their league campaign with a bang.