Rovers have been beaten 6-0 by Liverpool in a friendly at Anfield this afternoon.

The Reds scored three times in each half as both side’s stepped up their preparations for the return of the Premier League and Championship seasons next week.

Goals from Sadio Mane, Takumi Minamino and Naby Keita had the Reds 3-0 up at the break, with Joel Matip, Ki-Jana Hoever and Leighton Clarkson adding three more in the second half.

It was Rovers' first friendly since returning to training on May 25, initially in groups of five, but that was stepped up to full contact training from last Thursday.

The positive for Tony Mowbray was Corry Evans and Lewis Holtby, out injured since January and February respectively, both featured in the game. 

Holtby played the opening hour, completing his comeback from a knee injury picked up in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in February.

Meanwhile, Evans, who underwent surgery having sustained a fractured skull in the January draw with Preston, played the final 20 minutes. 

Jacob Davenport also started the match in a three-man midfield, as did Joe Rankin-Costello in an unfamiliar left back role. 

Liverpool went in front after 10 minutes, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s drive was saved by Christian Walton, only for Sadio Mane to fire home the rebound.

Midway through the half, the lead was doubled, James Milner sliding in Minamino who squared for Keita to make it 2-0.

Rovers pushed for a way back in to the game, Adam Armstrong robbing Joe Gomez of possession, but despite lifting the ball over the advancing Alisson, the ball came back off the inside of the post.

And within moments Rovers were made to pay, as having been provider for the second, Minamino scored the third from a Mane cross.

Rovers continued to press before the break, with Rankin-Costello seeing a lob drift just wide of the target, while Armstrong had a shot land on the roof of the net.

Two goals in two minutes in the second half saw the Reds make it five. First Joel Matip tapped in from Roberto Firmino's header across goal, despite more appeals for offside, before substitute Hoever scored from the left edge of the box moments later.

Ben Brereton went close to a consolation for Rovers late on, firing just wide of the far post.

And Liverpool added a sixth in injury time when Blackburn-born Clarkson found the net.

Rovers: Walton (Leutwiler 72), Nyambe (Bennett ), Lenihan (Carter 72), Adarabioyo (Evans 72), Rankin-Costello (Mulgrew 58), Davenport (Smallwood 58), Travis (Rothwell 58), Johnson (Downing 58), Holtby (Samuel 58), Armstrong (Brereton 58), Gallagher (Graham 58).

Subs not used: Buckley, Chapman.