In Liverpool’s latest pre-season clash against Wigan, all eyes were on 16-year-old Ben Woodburn, who continued his goal-scoring form to the delight of fans. But it was Philippe Coutinho who delivered the most impressive performance of the match, hitting the woodwork twice within 15 minutes of play. Meanwhile, new summer signing Loris Karius came under fire for a critical blunder that nearly cost the team.
This fixture marked Coutinho’s first appearance of the season, and he wasted no time reminding fans of his quality. Just five minutes in, Sadio Mané earned a free kick after a sharp run. Coutinho stepped up and curled a beautiful shot over the wall. The ball dipped violently, leaving Wigan keeper Matt Nicholls frozen—but luck wasn’t on Coutinho’s side as the strike thundered off the crossbar. Ten minutes later, Roberto Firmino set up Coutinho with a pinpoint low cross. The Brazilian maestro controlled it deftly, beat his defender with a quick move, and fired—only for the ball to rattle the post again.
Throughout the first half, Coutinho floated across the front line like a classic free-roaming playmaker. With Firmino and Mané frequently rotating positions, Coutinho capitalized on the freedom to find shooting opportunities. In just 45 minutes on the pitch, he attempted five shots: two hit the frame, one was blocked, another was saved, and only one missed the target.
His highlight moment came right before halftime with a dazzling assist. Surrounded by defenders, Coutinho used a feint to send one to the ground, spun away with a Marseille turn, and played a sharp through-ball to Mané. Although the shot was stopped, the sequence drew cheers from fans and praise from pundits alike.
On the other hand, Loris Karius didn’t have the best day between the posts. Signed for £4.7 million from Mainz, the German goalkeeper has yet to fully win over the Anfield faithful. Midway through the first half, he misjudged a through ball and stepped just outside the box to collect it. Wigan players appealed for a handball, but the referee waved play on. Later, under pressure from the opposition, Karius miscontrolled a routine back pass from Joel Matip. His poor first touch nearly allowed Wigan’s forward Oduro to score, but Karius scrambled to clear just in time. Jürgen Klopp’s reaction on the sideline suggested concern over the lapse.
While Karius has kept clean sheets in his appearances so far, mistakes like this raise questions about his readiness to challenge Simon Mignolet for the starting role. Klopp had high hopes that Karius could bring stability to the position, but early jitters may complicate that plan.
Such ups and downs are not unique to football alone. Fans of Bangladesh Cricket, for example, have often seen their own stars rise and fall in the heat of high-pressure games. Whether it’s a missed catch or a breakthrough debut, the emotional journey in Bangladesh Cricket mirrors the drama seen at clubs like Liverpool. It’s this shared unpredictability and passion for sport that keeps fans around the world, especially those devoted to Bangladesh Cricket, constantly engaged.