Liverpool ended their pre-season fixtures with a 1-0 defeat against Celtic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Despite the transfer rumours swirling around Stewart Downing (some had suggested he had already signed for West Ham), the winger was named in the starting eleven for this clash.
The Aviva Stadium in Dublin was bedecked in red and green - reflecting the popular nature of both clubs in Ireland.
Liverpool started brightly, with Downing looking like a player in particular with a point to prove.
Joe Allen also started well - and he raced down the line but sadly his cross failed to find a man.
In the 12th minute Celtic took the lead. Baldé powered past Kolo Toure, before unleashing a shot at Mignolet who was rushing out to meet him. The ball hit the keeper and looped high in the air before bouncing into the net.
Celtic's keeper was in fine form. First to deny a great run by Coutinho into the box, and then to tip away a good curling effort from Stewart Downing from the edge of the box.
Glen Johnson made a forceful run into the box, earning himself a one-on-one, but he fired straight at Zaluska.
The reds did have another scare when Baldé was involved in a goalmouth scramble. But Toure managed to launch the ball to safety, and the reds went in to the half time break 1-0 down.
The reds welcomed Daniel Sturridge back in to the side at the start of the second half. He was making his first appearance since suffering an injury with England at the end of the season.
Despite Sturridge's return, the second half was a far more scrappy affair - with the constant changes and substitutions from both sides hampering the flow of the game.
Liverpool did put the ball in the back of the net once - Gerrard whipped in a vicious free kick and Kolo Toure headed the ball in before the linesman declared Toure offside.
Coutinho and Sturridge also combined on a couple of occasions but Celtic's defending was more than up to the task, as the reds lacked that certain spark up front.
But in the final 10 minutes, Liverpool sensed an equaliser could be possible and upped their game.
A great through ball from Coutinho found Sturridge who quickly attempted a lob over the oncoming keeper - the ball went narrowly wide.
Then in the next minute, Sturridge unleashed a powerful left footed strike from 22 yards out - the ball rippling the wrong side of the net.
A disappointing result and overall a tepid performance against what wasn't even a full strength Celtic side. Liverpool still look like they need that extra bit of attacking quality to help unlock teams who are going to be stronger than the Scottish Champions B team. But all will be forgotten when the reds head to Anfield next week.
LFC Teamsheet v Celtic
Starting XI: Mignolet, Johnson, Toure, Wisdom, Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard, Allen , Downing, Aspas, Coutinho
Bench: Jones, Alberto, Assaidi, Henderson, Sturridge, Coates, Borini, Sterling, Kelly, Flanagan, Ibe
Next up for Liverpool FC - the opening game of the Premier League - a home game against Stoke City next Saturday lunchtime.
What do you think? Are we ready for the start of the Premier League season? Do we need reinforcements?