BY MICHAEL MIYOBA
CHIPOLOPOLO striker Patson Daka was in blistering form as he scored a first half brace in Red Bull Salzburg’s 2-2 stalemate against EPL Champions Liverpool FC in yesterday’s friendly fixture at the Red Bull Arena.
The friendly fixture saw Daka and midfield genius Enock Mwepuproducing superb performances before they were substituted in the 73rd minute.
Daka broke the deadlock within three minutes of kick off, burying the ball past Liverpool’s Alisson Becker with a cool finish.
Daka benefitted from slack play from Liverpool defender Fabinho before he pounced on the ball high up the pitch.
Liverpool almost grabbed the equaliser in the ninth minute but were unlucky as Mohamed Salah wasted a decent opening after really good work from Sadio Mane in the buildup.
Enock Mwepu in the tissue with Liverpool’s Mo Salah asVan Djik looks on. Picture courtesy of Getty Images 
It took Daka 10 minutes to complete his brace on 13th minutes after the Reds were carved open down the right.
The former Nchanga Rangers and Power Dynamos striker slid across low from the left and managed to find the corner of the net via a deflection from Alisson who couldn’t quite get enough on it.
Liverpool had a chance to pull one back in the 24th minute after they were gifted a free kick from a dangerous position outside the 18-yard.
Salah rolled the free kick for Fabinho who promptly directed it high into the stands.
Liverpool’s best chance so far came from Firmino who dragged his shot wide of the keeper’s right-hand post five minutes before half time.
Salzburg survived another dangerous opportunity in the 45th minute and Sedio Mane’s close range strike was scrambled off the line by a Salzburg defender for the hosts to maintain their 2-0 advantage at half time. After a quiet last quarter of the first half which was dominated by the English Champions, Daka almost completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute when Alison’s clearance hit Van Dijk before finding Daka who couldn’t quite get on the ball as he sent it wide.
Another near hat-trick opportunity for Daka came in the 68th minute as he fired a chance past Alisson’s near post.
Liverpool finally pulled one goal back through substitute Rhian Brewster in the 73rd minute after benefitting from Minamino and Milna’s beautiful exchange of passes in the build up to the goal.
Brewster completed his brace in the 85th minute, firing home his second goal of pre-season with a well-taken finish inside the box after excellent approach play from James Milner as Liverpool came from 2-0 down to collect a draw in Austria.
