Woodburn scores, Solanke debuts in Liverpool friendly win

BIRKENHEAD, England -- Liverpool started their 2017-18 campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 win over National League side Tranmere Rovers on Wednesday night.

Goals from James Milner, Marko Grujic and youngsters Pedro Chirivella and Ben Woodburn gave the Reds an easy victory in their first preseason friendly of the summer.

The encounter was one of two local friendlies before Liverpool fly out to Hong Kong on the weekend to compete in the Premier League Asia Trophy.

Captain Jordan Henderson made a 45-minute return from a foot injury, which has kept him out since February, while there was a debut for Dominic Solanke, who played the entire second half.

The game's breakthrough came in 42nd minute when Milner calmly slotted home a penalty kick after referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot when Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies brought down Sheyi Ojo.

Liverpool then doubled their lead three minutes before half-time as Davies was beaten by Grujic's long-range effort.

After Jurgen Klopp made 10 changes at the break, debutant Solanke made his first significant contribution in a red shirt when his parried shot felt right into the path of Chirivella for the third goal, with 50 minutes on the clock.

Liverpool then closed out the game, again, from the penalty spot, with Woodburn earning and scoring the second spot kick of the night.

Klopp's side play League One's Wigan Athletic on Friday night prior to making their near 6000-mile trip to Asia.