Reds Fall In Battle of the YNWA: Celtic 1, Liverpool 0

A mere seven days before the EPL opener, Liverpool finally saw defeat in a rather frustrating affair. Setting up in a 4-3-3 with Iago Aspas up top, they created chances and moved brilliantly, but just couldn't finish. I'm not that worried because friendlies mean absolutely nothing. However, they must be better against Stoke.

-Celtic scored the lone goal of the match very early on as an under pressure Stewart Downing passed backwards right to the feet of a Celtic player who eased past Andre Wisdom and shot by Mingolet.

-Glen Johnson attacked so well that he may have thought it was Chelsea that he was facing. Perhaps he could have finished better but I cannot be too harsh on a right back in the preseason.

-Daniel Sturridge came on for Aspas to start the second half. He found himself in some good goal scoring positions but lacked the killer finish, on one instance chipping just wide of the target. He also blazed a long effort a centimeter over the bar.

-Coutinho was lively again, although that's not really news at this point.

-A Kolo Toure second half goal from a Gerrard free kick was waved off by the offside flag.

-Youngster Jordan Ibe came on in the second half and once again flashed his tremendous ability.

No harm done for Liverpool here. I like to look at the process more than the end results in these preseason affairs and the process was golden for Liverpool. All of the new players as well as the youngsters seem to be integrating well, and the link up play was breathtaking at times. So onto the real season we go. One more week folks.