Hertha Berlin vs Liverpool Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Hertha Berlin have scored seven and conceded seven in their last three pre-season games, 4-4, 2-2 and 1-1 draws.
Liverpool are still missing several first-team regulars while Hertha have four men at the Olympics.

Returning striker boosts Reds chances of success

Diogo Jota should feature when Liverpool play their second full pre-season match in Austria on Thursday against Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin.

The Reds began with two 1-1 draws against Wacker Innsbruck and Stuttgart in 30 minutes affairs before getting a 1-0 win over FSV Mainz in the players’ first 90 minute test.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is gradually getting a full compliment of players after his internationals return from summer tournaments and Jota is lined up to face Hertha.

His strikers haven’t exactly been firing on all cylinders yet this pre-season so the Portuguese star, who scored a goal every 123 minutes in the Premier League last term, will boost their goal potential.

Klopp thinks centre-back Virgil van Dijk “could play a few minutes” after he missed most of last season with a serious knee injury.

Hertha will give a debut to new striker Stevan Jovetic, brought in to replace Jhon Cordoba, although Davie Selke is likely to get the start up front.

Kristof Piatek is recovering from an ankle injury that caused him to miss the Euros while Olympians Arne Maier and Jordan Torunarigha (Germany), Matheus Cunha (Brazil) and Lucas Tousart (France) are in Japan.

Hertha will have a talented squad capable of a top-half finish when they are all back and fit, but for now they don’t look equipped to deny Liverpool a win on Thursday.

We’re expecting the returning players to boost Klopp’s side enough to gain a two-goal victory, predicting a 3-1 scoreline because we need to see more of Klopp’s best back five before we’ll support the Reds to get a clean sheet too.