Early signs look promising for Huddersfield Town's summer '˜revolution'

THE buzz around Huddersfield ahead of the new Championship campaign has been palpable.

A dozen signings, including the club record transfer fee being shattered, plus David Wagner being given a full pre-season to instil his ‘gegenpressing’ ideals into the squad have created a sense of expectation that explains why last night’s clash with Liverpool was watched by the club’s largest attendance for a friendly.

Alas, some in Kirklees have allowed this ‘feelgood factor’ to pass them by – as illustrated by the Huddersfield-based Liverpool fan taking part in a half-time penalty competition during the visitors’ 2-0 win.

Asked by the stadium announcer why he didn’t support his local team, the response came: “Cos Town are sh*t!”

Clearly, this miscreant – who, amusingly, made a total hash of his subsequent spot-kick – had not watched much of the previous 45 minutes.

Against a Liverpool side that had cost the best part of £150m, Huddersfield impressed during a fast and furious first half.

Featuring six of David Wagner’s dozen summer signings, the Terriers performed admirably. Be it Elias Kachunga battling hard as the lone frontman or Jack Payne showing some neat touches and vision in the number ‘10’ role that is so key to Wagner’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, the new boys showed promise.

None more so than Aaron Mooy, a season-long loan capture from Manchester City.

The Australian, who last term was at the Blues’ sister club Melbourne City, occupied one of the two defensive midfield slots and was a revelation.

Constantly breaking up Liverpool’s play and then using the ball intelligently, Mooy could be a revelation in the second tier this term.

Huddersfield, of course, are hoping to be something of a surprise package themselves.

If that is to be the case, the defence will have to improve markedly on last season’s efforts when the 70 goals conceded by Town was the sixth highest in the division.

Wagner’s response was to bring in several new faces to bolster the backline, including club record £1.8m signing Christopher Schindler from 1860 Munich.

Kaiserslautern left-back Chris Lowe and Dynamo Dresden’s Michael Hefele have also been drafted in along with goalkeepers Joel Coleman and Danny Ward.

The latter, due to still being on holiday after helping Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, was the only one of this quintet not to feature against his parent club as Wagner played effectively two separate teams in each half.

All had a tough baptism of fire against a Liverpool attack featuring, at various times, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Danny Ings.

As was to be expected against an attacking quartet that cost the best part of £100m, there were testing times for the Town defence but they stood up well to the challenge.

As did all 22 Terriers on duty – only striker Kachunga played more than 45 minutes – as Liverpool won the inaugural Shankly Trophy, played in honour of the man who before leading the Merseyside club to greatness had three years at the helm of Huddersfield.

Both Wagner and Jurgen Klopp – best friends away from football after first meeting 25 years ago in Germany – clearly took the game seriously in the first half with strong starting line-ups.

That was reflected in the pace of the game, which even on a hot evening was hectic.

Wagner, best man to Klopp at his wedding, was patrolling his technical area from the opening seconds, whereas it took the Reds chief the best part of 15 minutes to emerge.

A few gentle pointers were the reason for him leaving the dugout, Huddersfield’s early forays deep into the visitors’ half – and a shot from Joe Lolley that flew just wide – clearly causing concern.

Later, Lolley would bring a fine save from Loris Karius with a 20-yard shot that followed more good work from Mooy in midfield.

As unfortunate as Lolley was not to score, however, there could be no denying Liverpool were worthy winners.

Mark Grujic opened the scoring just after the half-hour following an incisive move and the Reds should have doubled their lead when awarded a penalty just two minutes later.

Joey Coleman, however, made amends for fouling Mane by brilliantly saving Coutinho’s spot-kick.

Wholesale changes followed during the interval and the game lost its way after the restart.

At one stage, play was halted as an illegal drone hovered over the John Smith’s and referee Coote brought its presence to the notice of security staff.

On the restart, Town went close through Kyle Dempsey but the game continued to meander as an injury to Lucas saw reserve goalkeeper Shamal George play the final half-hour as an outfield player.

Liverpool did add a second goal in stoppage time when Martin Cranie fouled Ben Woodburn and Alberto Moreno did the honours from the spot in front of an impressive 21,266 crowd. It meant defeat for Huddersfield but plenty to build on.

Surely even the Liverpool-supporting local who made such a caustic judgement on Town at half-time could see that.

Huddersfield Town: Coleman (Coddington 46); Smith (Cranie 46), Hudson (Hefele 46), Schindler (Stankovic 46), Lowe (Davidson 46); Hogg (Whitehead 46), Mooy (Billing 46, Booty 88); Lolley (Scannell 46), Payne (Dempsey 46), Van la Parra (Bunn 46); Kachunga (Pyke 79). Substitutes (not used): Williams.

Liverpool: Karius; Randall (Wisdom 46), Lovren, Lucas (George 63), Moreno; Stewart; Grujic (Alexander-Arnold 46), Ejaria (Kent 46 46); Mane (Woodburn 46), Firmino (Markovic 46), Coutinho (Ings 46).

Referee: D Coote (Nottinghamshire).