Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is excited about the return of fans to the Premier League.
The German was speaking after Liverpool downed Osasuna 3-1 in in the second of their back-to-back friendlies at Anfield on Monday night.
In front of their adoring fans, the Reds put on a show with first-half goals coming from Takumi Minamino and a double from Roberto Firmino, back in the line-up after competing with Brazil at Copa America.
Minamino spurned an early chance but made up for it soon after when his deflected strike sailed past Juan Perez.
Firmino then completed two finishes from close range to put Liverpool in the driver's seat.
Despite dominating the second-half, Liverpool were unable to add to their score as Osasuna pulled a goal back through Kike.
In other positives for the home side, midfielders Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara came on as substitutes to make their first appearance in pre-season.
"The first half was absolutely exceptional in real different departments," Klopp said. "The way we, first of all, defended the second balls – because we didn't have to do that last night too often but today obviously Osasuna have a different approach, so a lot of long balls.
"We had a lot of finishes so they had a lot of goalie kicks. I liked the formation around that, winning these balls back, passing forward as quick as somehow possible, offering these runs. Bobby between the lines was exceptional but what Kaide and Taki offered from a speed perspective was absolutely exceptional as well. Played really good in midfield, Ox was on fire obviously, Fab controlled together with the boys out there.
"The counter-pressing situations with especially now Bobby and Oxlade was just really good and how it should be.
"The last line worked good together, defended well. And the goals we scored were outstanding. We could have scored already earlier with the super pass of Ibou [to] Taki. He couldn't finish that but then the next one he finished off – great.
"Really nothing to moan about. The second half was harder but we asked the boys to control it slightly more, mix the rhythm, which is then obviously not too easy to do but they tried. With all the changes, we didn't really disrupt the rhythm. It was good."
Asked about fans returning to the stadium for Saturday's league opener against Norwich, Klopp concluded: "First off, my hope is that with the fit players it stays like this because the season starts and then you have different periods in the season and we need them all. We need them all, that's for sure.
"I am not famous for being negative, but I just hope it stays like this, that we can keep bringing people into the stadium and then you can see, both teams – yesterday and today – were absolutely inspired by that.
"It's good for the people, it's good for the players and it is much more excitement, much easier to enjoy everything, much more emotional. There is much more passion in and outside of the stands. Yes, I am very excited about the new season, absolutely."
