Audi Cup 2017: Atletico Madrid 1-1 (5-4 pen) Liverpool, 5 Talking Points

Liverpool went down to Atletico Madrid in the final of the Audi Cup on penalties. Playing after just 24 hours, this game was more of an occasion to test the fringe players rather than starting with your best possible eleven.

Both teams made wholesome changes and never looked to change gears in what turned out to be an uninspiring and mundane affair.

Keidi Bade scored the opener for Atletico as he pounced on a rebound after Danny Ward had made a stunning save. Roberto Firmino equalized from the spot six minutes from time to take the game to the penalties.

Jordan Henderson missed his chance with the Reds losing out 5-4 on aggregate after matters ended 1-1 after regular time.

Here are the five talking points from the final of the Audi Cup between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool:

#1 Not worthy of a 'final'

Despite two high profile teams battling it out with a trophy at stake, the final at the Allianz Arena proved that this was just a glorified friendly. Both the teams started slowly and were not ready to shift gears even as the game went on.

The first 45 minutes were expected to be full of action with the second 45 minutes reserved for trying out young players.

But the second half turned out to be the one where the teams picked up some sort of tempo as both the clubs played the game with some intent. Academy graduates from both the sides were the hardest workers on the night with Jurgen Klopp and Diego Simeone sweating it out on the touchline more than the senior players.

The Colchoneros were more focused on safeguarding their goal whereas Liverpool lacked the creativity to break their defence which made this game rather tedious.

#2 A trademark Atleti performance

Diego Simeone set up his team to perfection

Diego Simeone and his men were not going to make the same mistakes which Bayern Munich committed in their defeat against the Reds. Simeone learned his lessons and effectively made his team sit back and frustrate Liverpool.

They soaked all the pressure and attacked effectively on counters - a tactic which has proved to be highly successful against Klopp's Liverpool.

Simeone played his team in a 4-4-2 formation which needed wide players combining with overlapping fullbacks and a fluid midfield to break it down. Liverpool had neither in the first half.

Andrew Robertson stretched the game after his arrival with the Reds' reliance on Sadio Mane and Mohammad Salah being all too obvious. The midfield of Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum struggled to get the better of their counterparts and looked a bit one dimensional.

#3 Danny Ward stakes his claim

Ward has proved that he is too good to be a third choice keeper

The custodian played a huge role in Huddersfield's promotion bid and it came as a huge surprise when Jurgen Klopp decided to keep him in the squad rather than sending him on loan for a regular game time. Ward started ahead of Mignolet last night and was comfortable in possession, quick off his lines and showed incredible reflexes.

Ward made 2-3 quality saves in the game and never looked out of sorts. Klopp had said that all three of his custodians have a chance of making the final cut and this performance surely puts Ward in the mix. Though he could not muster a save in the shootout, he did enough to impress with one super save against Angel Correa which was surely one of the best saves of the pre season.

#4 No clarity on Liverpool's first choice left back

Alberto Moreno might get a second chance in his Liverpool career

This was going to be a tough issue with three players fighting for one spot in the team. Alberto Moreno was the pick of the lot in this tournament with his brilliant display against Bayern Munich giving him a chance to prove himself. But that was a one-off game and the Spaniard needs to do it more often to warrant a place in the starting eleven.

James Milner started against Atletico Madrid but displayed his weaknesses yet again by slowing the tempo of the game with the ball at his feet. Klopp rates him highly but the veteran needs to be a backup rather than a first choice this season.

Andrew Robertson is a new signing and will take some time to settle in a new environment and get used to the manager's demands. But the 26-year-old has shown promise in his performances in Germany and might pip the other two by starting against Watford in the Premier League.

#5 Lack of depth might hamper Liverpool's chances this season

Liverpool need to sign a quality centre back to partner Joel Matip

One of the biggest issues which the Reds faced last season was the bench strength required to challenge for titles. When injuries started to disrupt their campaign, Jurgen Klopp did not have many options to fall back on.

Liverpool have signed three players till now but some areas still lack quality cover which needs to be addressed before the end of the window.

The wingers are short in number and the club must not let Ryan Kent leave on loan. He performed brilliantly in the pre season and deserves a run-in in the first team.

Ragnar Klavan is a decent option to have but his occasional mistakes make it a must for the Reds to sign a centre back. Jurgen Klopp has a good bunch of players at his disposal but only with a few more signings this summer, Liverpool can challenge for the top honours.