Liverpool 1 Borussia Dortmund 3: Christian Pulisic seals International Champions Cup comeback win

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Liverpool’s US tour began in defeat as they were beaten 3-1 by a Christian Pulisic-inspired Borussia Dortmund in Charlotte.

Liverpool had led through Virgil van Dijk’s first-half header, but Pulisic’s half-time introduction proved the turning point as he scored twice and helped set up Jacob Bruun Larsen’s third to seal an International Champions Cup win.

Just four minutes in there was another example of why Jurgen Klopp was so keen to sign Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson, when Loris Karius scuffed a clearance straight to Maximillian Philipp but the German forward scuffed his effort wide.

Liverpool were then forced into an early change when Joel Matip limped off to be replaced by Joe Gomez, and with Dejan Lovren likely to miss the start of the Premier League campaign after his World Cup exploits, Klopp will hope the injury is not too serious.

The opener came midway through the first half when Dortmund failed to close down a short corner, leaving Andy Robertson with acres of space to pick out an unmarked Virgil van Dijk, who nodded home from six yards.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Klopp made wholesale changes at half time, with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, James Milner and new signing Naby Keita given 45 minutes. Dortmund also introduced a host of their more regular stars, including Mario Gotze and Pulisic.

It was the American who first won, and then scored the penalty for Dortmund’s leveller, having been fouled by a clumsy Ragnar Klavan.

AFP/Getty Images

Before that, Liverpool had had chances to add to their lead, with Sheyi Ojo hitting the bar and Dominic Solanke heading wide from inside the six-yard box.

But it was Dortmund who got a second two minutes from time when Pulisic finished off a flowing counter attack, firing low past Karius from the edge of the box.

In stoppage time, Pulisic jinked into the box and fired another shot at Karius which the German could only parry into the path of Larsen, who fired into an empty net, despite being fouled by Gomez.

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