Ian Doyle takes a look at some of the key issues to have come out of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao at Anfield

Elliott continues to astound
When it comes to compliments, it hardly seems the most effusive.
But evidence Harvey Elliott is a special talent can be seen with the manner in which, on the field at least, he is treated by his Liverpool team-mates.
Forget the fact the youngster is still only 18 and, remarkably, is yet to make his full Premier League debut.
Elliott is a first-team Liverpool player. And surrounded by title winners and European champions, he doesnt look out of place even when, as has been the case this pre-season, he is operating in a previously unaccustomed central midfield role.
The teenager had reverted to his more usual right wing berth by the time he curled an audacious effort against the woodwork in front of the Kop, having been narrowly off target with a similar strike first half.
But what more regularly caught the eye was his care in possession, willingness to always look forward, his enthusiastic work-rate and positional diligence.
There was, too, a neat turn of pace when initiating one second-half counter-attack. The standing ovation on his substitution towards the end was well deserved.
Such was the buzz surrounding an impressive loan with Championship side Blackburn Rovers last season, Elliott can hardly be termed a secret weapon.
But few could have expected he would be a genuine challenger to begin the Premier League season in Klopps engine room.
READ MORE: What Elliott did after the final whistle
Jota edges ahead of Firmino
Moments after Liverpool had gone ahead against Athletic Bilbao, the Kop chanted in celebration of the Reds striker.
Except it wasnt goalscorer Diogo Jota for whom praises were being sung.
Instead, Roberto Firmino was the subject of the affections of a 40,000-plus Anfield crowd determined to enjoy the afternoon after their 17-month wait for a true matchday experience was extended by an extra half-hour due to entry issues at the turnstiles.
Subconsciously, deliberately or sheer coincidence, it was a reminder that while being out of sight, the Brazilian is not out of mind.
Of more immediate concern to the forward, though, will be whether he is out of the starting line-up at Norwich next weekend.
Firmino will be expected to lead the line against Osasuna tonight as he builds up fitness following his late return to training.
But a successive goalscoring outing for Jota has offered a compelling case for his inclusion at Carrow Road, denied a second against Athletic by a goalline clearance.
The Portuguese has been encouragingly lively during his pre-season performances, a threat whether out on the left or powering down the middle.
And with the lively Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane again both showing they are rested developments, the front three is seemingly set in stone. At least for now.
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Klopp selection headache
Jurgen Klopp has been at pains to insist there is no Team A or Team B as Liverpool conclude their pre-season preparations with a brace of double-headers.
But few expect the starting line-up at Norwich to be hugely dissimilar to the one which stepped out against Athletic Bilbao.
Given at least half have been regulars during the past two years, that’s hardly a surprise.
However, question marks remain over certain key areas of the team which were highlighted by the pace and counter-attacking threat of the Spanish visitors.
Several times in the first half, Athletic got in behind the Reds backline, exposing not only the understandably rustiness of Joel Matip and in particular Virgil van Dijk, but also the absence of a true defensive midfielder.
Klopp would have no second thoughts turning to James Milner at the weekend but the veteran would benefit from being alongside Fabinho.
If thats a fairly simple call, more difficult is who starts at the heart of defence, Ibrahima Konate now having the invitation to stake his claim this evening.
Then, of course, there is the anxious wait to discover the extent of Andy Robertsons injury, with Kostas Tsimikas who has played for just five minutes in the Premier League now on standby.
After all, it wouldnt be a Liverpool summer without a major injury scare, would it?
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