Liverpool''s pre-season winning run came to an end in Dublin as the went down 1-0 to Scottish champions Celtic.
The early stages saw Liverpool comfortable in possession but it was Celtic who took the lead in the 12th minute as Balde knocked the ball past Wisdom and his shot hit Mignolet who had rushed out and the deflection sent the ball into the open net to the despair of the Belgian 'keeper.
Liverpool pushed for the leveller which saw Zaluska in the Celtic goal called into action, first to deny Coutinho from close range then acrobatically keeping out an attempt from Downing to keep his side in front.
Celtic created a chance to extend their lead just before the interval as a curling cross from Izaguirre gave Stokes a great chance but his header was tame and taken easily by Mignolet.
The second half began with the return of Daniel Sturridge who was making his first appearance since May and he could have made an instant impact but his first shot went wayward, he received a pass from Johnson and teed himself up for the shot that went narrowly past the post.
Kolo Toure thought he had equalised after superb connection from Gerrard's free-kick as the Ivorian glanced a header past substitute keeper Forster but his celebration of a first Liverpool goal were dashed as the referee deemed him to be offside.
Sturridge showed why he has been missed the summer with a clever flick that released Coutinho but the Brazilian rushed a shot which went wide but they linked well harking back to their partnership at the back end of last season and came close to an equaliser in the final minutes as Coutinho looped the ball to the forward who lofted the ball over Forster only for it go go wide but his last impact was a superb drive from 25 yards which soared over to the groans of the Liverpool fans who were left to reflect on a first loss of a pre-season that had come to a disappointing close.
Next up is the opening weekend of the new Premier League season against Stoke on Saturday which starts off what is expected to be the most exciting season in years so we will see...
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