Liverpool finished their pre-season schedule with a win over German side Darmstadt at Deepdale.

The Reds took an early lead thanks to Mohamed Salah, who then turned creator when teeing up Diogo Jota for a quick-fire second.

Austrian forward gave Jurgen Klopp’s side something to think about when exposing some of the defensive frailties that have been on show all summer but Luis Diaz added an acrobatic third in the second-half.

Young Ben Doak impressed during his cameo but the strength of the team selected to start would suggest they are to line up on Sunday.

Klopp’s team are back in Premier League action with a trip to Chelsea in five days’ time as they look to improved on last season.

Reports on Tuesday suggested the Anfield giants had seen a third offer for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia rejected, with the Belgian a target following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt latest news

• GOAL! Diaz adds third with great flick

• GOAL! Honsak pulls one back

• GOAL! Jota doubles lead

• GOAL! Salah scores early

Thanks for joining!

22:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

Thanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool’s win over Darmstadt.

Find our reaction below!

Klopp addresses Mac Allister best position as Liverpool ‘see Lavia bid rejected’

22:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

Jurgen Klopp admits Alexis Mac Allister should not have to play as Liverpool’s defensive midfielder amid the club’s pursuit of Romeo Lavia.

On Tuesday, the Reds reportedly saw a third offer believed to be worth in the region of £46m rejected by Southampton.

The Championship side are believed to be holding out for £50m for the 19-year-old despite their relegation last season.

Read the full story here!

FT: Liverpool 3-1 Darmstadt

21:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Salah, Jota and Diaz on the scoresheet while Doak impresses as Liverpool end pre-season with a win at Preston.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: Positive evening for Reds

20:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

85 mins: It might not offer the biggest indication that the coming season will be better for the Reds but there have been some really nice attacking moments for Liverpool, while their pressing has been relentless.

Issues at the bak but plenty of reason to feel confident.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: Doak on

20:44 , Jonathan Gorrie

70 mins: What a talent Liverpool have!

The young Scot is so good to watch on the ball, twisting inside and out. Klopp must be tempted to play him on Sunday...

Liverpool vs Darmstadt:: GOAL! Luis Diaz ‘59

20:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: GOAL! Luis Diaz ‘59

A stunning finish from the Colombian with an audacious flick from a corner!

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: And here come the changes!

20:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Ninez, Gomez, Doak, Matip and Jones among those coming on.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: All Liverpool now

20:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

51 mins: Liverpool have all of the ball but aren’t doing that much with it.

A fairly low tempo end of pre-season.

Liverpool 2-1 Darmstadt: 45 minutes left of pre-season friendly

20:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

47 mins: One last chance for Klopp to get his team in order before Sunday.

No changes at the break, so you’d expect this side to start at home to Chelsea.

Liverpool 2-1 Darmstadt: Back underwauy!

20:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

Away we go at Deepdale!

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville argue about Liverpool

20:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

Some half-time entertainment...

HT: Liverpool 2-1 Darmstadt

20:05 , Jonathan Gorrie

Honsak’s goal gives the Reds something to think about after quick start at Deepdale.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt:: Chance for the Germans!

20:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

45 mins: Former Everton man Fraser Hornby sees a free-kkick deflect over before the resulting corner is cleared.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: Red finishing strongly

19:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

39 mins: Liverpool really probing now, forcing a succession of corners,

The fitness is making a big difference.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: Gakpo goes for the spectacular!

19:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

34 mins: A through ball is cleared into Gakpo’s path some way out and he goes for a chip, though it sails wide.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: Liverpool not quite at their best

19:46 , Jonathan Gorrie

28 mins: Very much playing is as if they’re not risking anything until the big kick-off on Sunday.

The German side are developing a foothold and Klopp’s team are still without a clean sheet.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: Game calms down

19:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

17 mins: After that flurry of goals, the game has slowed a little.

Liverpool still look somewhat weak at the back.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: GOAL! Mathias Honsak ‘10

19:27 , Jonathan Gorrie

GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Darmstadt: GOAL! Mathias Honsak ‘10

Awful defending from Liverpool allows the Austrian to fire home after a quick counter!

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: GOAL! Diogo Jota ‘7

19:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Darmstadt: GOAL! Diogo Jota ‘7

Salah drops the away side trying to play out from the back and tees up Jota for an early finish.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: GOAL! Mohamed Salah ‘04

19:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Darmstadt | Mohamed Salah ‘04

The German side do not clear a corner and the Egypt forward taps in from close range.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: Confident Liverpool start

19:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

03 mins: Quick start, as you might expect.

Diaz, Jota and Gakpo all going close in the opening few minutes.

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: KICK-OFF!

19:17 , Jonathan Gorrie

After a slight delay, we are underway!

Liverpool vs Darmstadt: Kick-off delayed!

18:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

Kick-off has now been pushed back until 7.15pm BST.

Latest Premier League title odds

18:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

Betfair - Premier League title winner odds

Man City: 8/11 Arsenal: 5/1 Liverpool: 6/1 Man Utd: 17/2

Confirmed Liverpool lineup

17:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Salah, Jota, Diaz,

Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Gomez, Nunez, Jones, Elliott, Tskimikas, Matip, Clark, Scanlon, Doak, McConnell, Quansah

Jamie Carragher NOT happy with Liverpool’s third bid for Romeo Lavia

17:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Responding to the news, Carragher wrote on Twitter: “ This is embarrassing. Liverpool for years now have got deals done quickly with no fuss. If you don’t think he’s worth 50M move on, if you really want him pay it. Also not sure why LFC aren’t in for Caicedo, yes it’s a lot of money but Liverpool got big money for JH/FA.”

Liverpool ‘make new bid’ for Romeo Lavia

17:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

Here we go, Liverpool fans!

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Reds have now submitted a third offer to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia worth £45m plus add-ons.

It, however, has been rejected.

Mohamed Salah’s agent responds to Saudi Arabia

17:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Jordan Henderson and Fabinho might have moved to Saudi Arabia this summer but Mohamed Salah will not be joining them.

Despite reports of a huge offer from Al-Ittihad, the forward’s agent has confirmed Salah remains keen to stay at Anfield.

“If we considered leaving LFC this year, we wouldn’t have renewed the contract last summer,” Ramy Abbas Issa posted on social media. “Mohamed remains committed to LFC.”

Jurgen Klopp confirms Liverpool are ‘working on’ midfield signing after Romeo Lavia bid

16:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

Jurgen Klopp says it is “clear” Liverpool need to strengthen their midfield even further this summer.

After a difficult season last time out, the Reds are working to revamp their options in that department, with much of the criticism stemming from there.

Jordan Henderson has now followed Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain through the Anfield exit doors following his controversial move to Saudi Arabia.

Read the full story here!

Jurgen Klopp jokes shock Kylian Mbappe move is impossible unless Liverpool ‘surprise’ him

16:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

Jurgen Klopp has dismissed talk of Liverpool attemping to sign Kylian Mbappe, but joked he would be open to a “surprise” move from the club.

Mbappe’s future remains uncertain as PSG look to sell the Frenchman, with the Ligue 1 side insisting that they will not risk losing the 24-year-old for free next summer. The forward, who is out of contract in 12 months’ time, has made it clear he has no intention of signing a new deal.

Read the full story here!

Gareth Southgate addresses Jordan Henderson’s England future after move to Al-Ettifaq

16:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

Gareth Southgate has refused to rule out selecting Jordan Henderson for England duty despite his move to Saudi Arabia.

The midfielder called an end to a trophy-laden time with Liverpool earlier this summer in order to take up a lucrative offer with Al-Ettifaq, now managed by former Anfield icon Steven Gerrard.

Read the full story here!

Prediction: Liverpool to cruise to easy win

16:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Darmstadt haven’t even managed to score a goal in their pre-season friendlies thus far and shouldn’t trouble the Reds in this game.

Liverpool to win, 3-0.

Liverpool team news: Alexis Mac Allister fit to start

16:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Alexis Mac Allister should be fit to take part after Jurgen Klopp played down a knee injury that forced the midfielder off in the Bayern defeat.

Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara will continue to miss out in their recovery from the injuries that ended their 2022-23 campaign prematurely.

Klopp put out a full-strength side against Bayern and is expected to do so again at Deepdale in this, their final pre-season friendly of the summer.

Where to watch Liverpool vs Darmstadt for free today

16:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel and live stream: In the UK, the game will be televised live on LFCTV.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Welcome

16:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool’s final pre-season friendly of the summer against Darmstadt at Preston North End’s Deepdale.

Kick-off is at 7pm BST.