Hertha Berlin vs Liverpool: Five things we learned as Philippe Coutinho captains Reds to comfortable victory

Goals from Dominic Solanke, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah earned Liverpool victory

Sadio Mane and Dominic Solanke celebrate the latter's opening goal against Hertha Berlin (Getty)

Liverpool eased to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion on Saturday, in a game held to celebrate the 125th anniversaries of both clubs.

Goals from Dominic Solanke, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah proving enough for Jürgen Klopp's side to earn their fourth win of pre-season.

Here are five things we learned from the win...

Solanke is an option

Few would have expected Dominic Solanke to emerge as a first-team option after he arrived from Chelsea earlier this summer, but that is exactly what he is becoming.

The 19-year-old looked certain to only feature in the odd cup game, given his age, his exile last season and modest scoring record while out on loan.

However, his promising movement off the ball and goals in pre-season, including the fine headed opener here, suggest he could well compete for regular minutes, especially in a season where rotation will be key for Liverpool.

Organisation needed at the back

Liverpool may have to more than double their record transfer fee to finally sign Virgil van Dijk, but there were moments here that reminded you why he would be worth the money.

Jürgen Klopp’s defence is unfairly criticised at times, and was notably better towards the tail end of last season, but it still needs an organiser.

Hertha found joy down Liverpool’s left far too often, exposing poor communication between Ragnar Klavan and Alberto Moreno. There were, every so often, the sort of mix-ups that cost Liverpool points last season.

If Van Dijk arrives and successfully puts such problems to bed, Liverpool will be much improved.

Mané needs minutes

The sight of Sadio Mané on a football pitch for the first time since April will have cheered Liverpool supporters, but they will have to wait a little while longer for him to be firing on all cylinders.

Mané was rusty, which is to be expected and totally understandable on his first game back after a considerable lay-off.

The concern will be that his pre-season has started relatively late, with only two weeks to go before Liverpool play matches of some consequence.

Expect the Senegalese to feature heavily in Klopp’s three remaining friendlies.

Coutinho captaincy sent out a message

Coutinho was handed the captain's armband (Getty)

In what felt like a symbolic gesture, Philippe Coutinho was handed the captain’s armband.

It is not the sort of thing that will decide whether the Brazilian stays or leaves for the Nou Camp, but it was perhaps a sign of the club’s intention to keep him come what may.

Liverpool have learned about the power clubs have over their players the hard way recently, thanks to their fruitless attempts to persuade a stubborn RB Leipzig to sell Naby Keita.

If their likely failure to sign Keita has one silver lining, it is that they can employ the same tactics to protect their own assets.

By naming Coutinho as captain here, they reminded him of just how important he is to this team and just how determined they are to keep him at Anfield.

Early promise from Robertson

Andy Robertson appeared in a Liverpool shirt for the first time following his £10m move from relegated Hull City and these early signs were positive.

If the Scot has hopes of not only deputising for James Milner but taking his place, he will need to make the overlaps and runs in behind that were central to Milner’s game last season.

He did so within minutes of appearing as a half-time substitute, darting in behind the Hertha defence and sending a delicious cross to Mohamed Salah. His fellow new recruit should have converted.

More of the same, and Robertson will provide Milner with ample competition.