HJK vs. Liverpool: Things Learned from Preseason Friendly

Divock Origi and Philippe Coutinho scored as Liverpool defeated HJK Helsinki 2-0 on Saturday in a preseason friendly at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. 

Liverpool dominated possession from the start but struggled to break down HJK's organized resistance throughout the first half. The pattern remained the same until the 73rd minute, when Origi finished a fine team move following good work by Jordon Ibe and James Milner.

Coutinho then added a deflected strike five minutes later to round out the scoring.

Liverpool will play another friendly at Swindon Town on Sunday before finalizing preparations for the new season. The Reds open their Premier League campaign next Sunday at Stoke City.

Here are some of the lessons we learned from Saturday's match. 

Frustrating Day for Danny Ings

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Liverpool forward Danny Ings created a few moments of danger against HJK but ultimately endured a frustrating day in Helsinki. 

Midway through the first half, the 23-year-old flicked a header wide of the target from a Jordan Henderson free kick. Just before halftime, Ings' good positioning led to a chance after good work from Philippe Coutinho, but his touch let him down and the opportunity passed.

Early in the second period, the former Burnley man skied a shot over the bar from a Jordon Ibe cross. Then, just before he made way for substitute Divock Origi, Ings headed a Nathaniel Clyne cross wide of the post.

It added up to a mixed day for Ings, who did well with his positioning and pressing but was unable to finish. As the new season approaches, an extra bit of quality in the final third would help the new signing impress Brendan Rodgers.

If Ings can show his new boss the final product, he has the chance to be a success at Anfield.

Liverpool's Greatest Threat Came from the Right Flank and Jordon Ibe

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Much of the 90 minutes followed a pattern set down early in the match. Liverpool won possession with high pressing, dominated possession and sent in crosses from the right via Jordon Ibe. So prevalent was the model that it only seemed a matter of time before Ibe picked out the right cross to set up a goal.

The formula failed to produce the breakthrough in the first half, but the opener finally arrived in the 73rd minute. Ibe, of course, was the provider, rolling in a low cross from the right. James Milner flicked the ball to Divock Origi, who spun and fired in from close range.

Philippe Coutinho's goal, five minutes later, came from a short corner on the opposite side of the pitch, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that Liverpool's best attacks all came down the right flank. Ibe was the danger man again, and Liverpool supporters will be hoping for more of the same from him during the regular season.

Origi, for his part, will take confidence from the goal, which was his second of the preseason. As Si from Talking Anfield noted, Origi and Danny Ings will have "teething periods" as they mature, but they have the potential to score more goals than Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli.

Joe Gomez Impresses Again

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Besides Danny Ings, three more new signings featured for Liverpool on Saturday, and all played well.

Nathaniel Clyne has slotted seamlessly into the side at right-back and seems certain to start in that position when the Premier League campaign begins next weekend. James Milner provided a calming, veteran presence in central midfield and will surely be an asset to the Reds this season.

And at left-back, Joe Gomez impressed again, underlining his status as one of the standout performers of Liverpool's preseason. Since joining from Charlton Athletic in June, the 18-year-old has turned in a series of mature showings for the Reds. His pace and strength will serve him well in the Premier League in the future, and his obvious confidence on the ball at such a young age hints at an integral role with the team this season.

As things stand, the versatile Gomez—he can play left-back, right-back or center-back—likely will start the season as the first backup to full-backs Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne. But his physical attributes and self-belief could see him make a start somewhere across the back line in the near future.