Team news

Liverpool made four changes for the contest, with Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas and Jarell Quansah stepping into defence.

In attack, meanwhile, Diogo Jota returned to lead the Reds’ frontline in the capital for his first start since October.

Liverpool: Alisson, Van Dijk, Mac Allister (Konate, 80), Salah, Jones, Gakpo (Diaz, 60), Jota (Nunez, 60), Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Quansah (Endo, 30), Bradley (Alexander-Arnold, 60).

Subs not used: Kelleher, Chiesa, Elliott, Robertson.

First half

It was the hosts who started the better of the two teams, pressing Liverpool high and forcing several stray passes in the final third.

The early threat resulted in the opening chance of the game, with Alisson Becker reacting well down low to his right to keep out a Radu Dragusin effort, the defender turning a Heung-Min Son shot towards goal inside the box.

Following the passage of play, there was a lengthy stoppage as Rodrigo Bentancur was stretchered from the field, being replaced by Brennan Johnson.

Son again threatened the Liverpool defence a short while later, stepping outside of Bradley on the left to drill a low ball into the six-yard box, though teammate Dominic Solanke could only turn wide.

Liverpool returned fire at the other end, seeing a Mohamed Salah effort flash past the post from distance, before they were forced into a change of their own, Quansah picking up a knock with Wataru Endo the replacement.

Alexis Mac Allister then saw a header saved from close range following a dead ball delivery from Tsimikas, the ball finding his free run into the box.

Ahead of the interval, Liverpool threatened once more at a swift break via Cody Gakpo, with the forward unleashed a fizzing drive at goal that nearly caught goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky by surprise to close out the opening 45.