First half
Before the game had chance to develop any clear pattern, Liverpool were forced into an early change as Hugo Ekitike picked up a knock.
The attacker was unable to continue after a clash on the halfway line and was replaced by Curtis Jones.
Dominik Szoboszlai signalled early intent for the Reds with a shot over the bar, but it was the hosts who took the lead in the 14th minute with their first attack.
A deep cross into the box was headed back across goal by Diego Gomez and the ball was then met by Welbeck, who nodded into the net.
The Reds responded by dominating possession and Alexis Mac Allister forced Bart Verbruggen into his first save of the afternoon.
Szoboszlai’s cross was met by his fellow midfielder in the area as he powered a header towards the bottom corner of the net.
Liverpool, however, were level on the half-hour mark after quick thinking from full-back Kerkez.
A long kick forward was headed back towards goal by home captain Lewis Dunk, though the Reds’ No.6 had followed its path.
His darting run paid off as he met the loose ball and produced a brilliant flick over the goalkeeper inside the box to restore parity in the contest.
Ahead of the interval both teams battled for the lead, with Mamardashvili forced to claw away a dangerous ball into the six-yard box by Yankuba Minteh.
Florian Wirtz also had a low shot saved by Verbruggen in the last of the action in the opening period.