Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino – Liverpool's two biggest signings of the summer – will have to wait a little while longer to make their debuts for the club, after Brendan Rodgers left them out of the preseason friendly against HJK in Helsinki on Saturday.
Benteke finally completed a protracted move from Aston Villa, with Liverpool relenting and agreeing to pay the striker's entire release clause, while Firmino, despite agreeing on a transfer a while back, only returned to training a few days ago following his exploits with Brazil at the Copa America.
The other new signings, specifically James Milner and Danny Ings, looked decent, though for Liverpool on their preseason tour of South East Asia and Australia.
Milner, in particular, looks right at home in a Liverpool shirt, and the midfielder will want to carry his strong form through to the Premier League, which begins next weekend.
"I think the [preseason trip] trip was a great success for us in every aspect of the club," Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, said. "From my aspect, it was about the football, the preparation, and the players coping with the demands of the heat and the winter in Australia.
"In the games we had, we were able to gain the objectives we wanted from them. All of the players have settled in, that's the key -- making them feel a part of the spirit.
"A player like James Milner is experienced, but he's still coming into a huge club and has settled in really well, showing great leadership in the small time he's been at the club."
HJK are the most successful club in Finland in terms of league titles won, and Rodgers will know this preseason friendly will be far from a walk in the park.
"I believe they're the most successful team in Finland," Rodgers added. "We know how they work - they've been playing 4-2-3-1. They're leading the league here nationally and are a gifted group of players.
"We've done our homework on our opponents, like we would if we were preparing for a Premier League game. We know they play good football, are very organised and good defensively. They're in the middle of Champions League qualification and drew during the week. But for us, the last game of preseason is always about trying to get a strong game and that hopefully allows you to take that final preparation game into your first game of the season.
"We know coming here, it will be a very good opponent and gives us a chance to be tested to the maximum."
Liverpool open their Premier League campaign against Stoke City, the team that embarrassed them on the last day of last season, and Rodgers will hope to have his entire squad, including Benteke and Firmino, ready for action by then.
Liverpool squad: Chirivella, Clyne, Coutinho, Fulton, Gomez, Henderson, Ibe, Ings, Kent, Lallana, Lovren, Maguire, Mignolet, Milner, Origi, Skrtel.
Where to Watch Live
HJK vs Liverpool is scheduled for a 7.30 pm local time (10 pm IST, 5.30 pm BST, 12.30 pm ET) start. Live coverage of the preseason match will be on LFC TV, while the live streaming option for international viewers, including the UK and India, is LFC TV Go.
Viewers in the US and Canada can watch Liverpool vs HJK live on Bein Sports, with all the game action can also be watched via a live stream on Bein Sports Connect.
