Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino Return To Action After 3 Months As Liverpool Thrash Blackburn 6-0 [Video]

Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, and Takumi Minamino were among the goal-scorers as Liverpool thrashed Blackburn Rovers 6-0 in a friendly match Thursday before Premier League 2019-20 season resumes next week.

The match, which took place at Anfield, did not feature Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson as a precautionary measure after picking up minor injuries, as reported by Evening Standard. The Premier League was suspended in March in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and it is set to resume June 17 with Liverpool scheduled to play their first game against their Merseyside rivals, Everton.

Liverpool are inches away from winning their first league title in 30 years and Jurgen Klopp in no way would want to take any risk ahead of their first match in nearly three months. Salah and Roberton are expected to be fit for the Everton match, which will be played at Goodison Park.

Giving further headache to Klopp, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was forced out of the field due to a "knock" Thursday. The attacking midfielder started the behind-closed-doors friendly game, set up Mane’s goal within 10 minutes from kick-off, before he suffered an ankle injury that saw him leave the field. The first half also saw the likes of Minamino and Keita score before Joel Matip, Ki-Jana Hoever, and 18-year-old Leighton Clarkson took the goal sheet to 6-0 when the referee gave the final whistle.

Meanwhile, the popular Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino did not start the game but was one of the seven second-half substitutes and he also assisted Matip’s goal.

Klopp’s side is expected to play one more friendly game at least before they resume their title chase against Everton on Sunday (June 21). The Reds, who have dropped points this campaign just twice, are 25 points clear on the top of the Premier League table ahead of Manchester City and Leicester City.

Liverpool, who still need two wins to secure the Premier League trophy, can end the title race at Goodison Park, provided Arsenal beat the reigning champions when the two sides lock horns Thursday (June 18).