Really good pre-season overall from Liverpool FC. Won 4/4 of the proper games in front of a crowd, scoring 10 goals and only conceding 2. Not worried so much about the 2 behind closed door games where it was mainly our reserves getting fitness.
Main takeaway’s for me were
Goalkeeper:
Alisson has still got it and made everything look so easy against Sevilla. Jaros showed that he would be a more than adequate replacement if Kelleher were to leave, and I was especially impressed with his long range passing quality. It would be great if we could keep Kelleher but I’m not worried anymore. We just need to decide whether we want to sign an older 3rd keeper or promote Davies/ Pitaluga.
Right back:
Trent looked on it and got a great assist, but it was slightly weak defending for the Sevilla goal though. Bradley had a brilliant pre-season and could easily be a starter at a top 4 team, with his performance against Man United being a real standout. He tore them to pieces. Stephenson was a nice surprise and could be a decent squad option or maybe get a good loan move.
Centre back:
Quansah was excellent in every game. Got away with a heavy touch vs Sevilla but otherwise was imperious. Virgil looked comfortable in Slot’s system. As did van den Berg but he seemingly still wants out as he played no part in either game yesterday. Konate struggled against United but looked a bit better against Las Palmas when he wasn’t under as much pressure. Phillips had a good pre-season and I suspect he’ll have earned a good move or maybe even stay as 4th/ 5th choice; got an obligatory head bandage in the final pre-season game too. Gomez only returned for the Sevilla game and barely got any minutes so unsure what’s going on there. Nallo got a few cameos here and there and looked a great prospect but suspect he’ll be mostly with the u21’s this season. Chambers played here a few times but didn’t really standout.
Left back:
Tsimikas, fair play to him, was superb and I all but wrote him off before the summer. He’s arguably made himself first choice left back and even scored an extremely rare open play goal against Man United! Robertson was very poor against Las Palmas and kept making the wrong run on the inside of Gakpo which crowded out the space. He missed every other televised friendly with an injury so not a good pre-season for him at all. Beck didn’t look up to scratch if I’m blunt and honest, so expect him to be sold or loaned. Chambers again didn’t stand out and played more at CB but hopefully his loan to Wigan will go well. Scanlon came on against Las Palmas and looked lively, but ineffective.
Midfield “two 6’s”:
Jones played quite well across the games he was involved in, and is really good at keeping possession. Little injury scare and too pedestrian against Las Palmas though. Endo looked like he really can’t cope with the short passing build up play through the middle of the pitch, so that needs to be addressed in my opinion. Nyoni and Szoboszlai both got a few minutes here and did well, in fact Nyoni was probably man of the match against Real Betis when he came on in this position for Jones. Gravenberch stepped into this role against Man United and Sevilla and was good, so I expect he may start against Ipswich here. As for his partner, I’m very confident that will be Mac Allister who showed against Sevilla that he is almost purpose built for midfield with these tactics. Morton and Bajcetic got a few minutes here and there but neither really got enough minutes to make an impact or stand out. I’d guess Morton will be sold and Bajcetic might be loaned out.
Right wing:
We only really saw Salah and Doak here for a good amount of minutes. Salah looked really sharp and ready to make a mockery of anybody who said he was finished. Doak on the other hand looks very raw still and probably needs a loan deal. I’m not even against selling him to be honest.
Attacking midfield:
Szoboszlai looked like a real machine here across the whole preseason. Got the winner against Betis as more of a false 9, but also picked up a lovely assist at Sevilla and just generally looked like he will thrive with a bit more freedom to burst beyond the forwards. Elliott also looked great despite playing the role in a very different way. He peeled off the defence more to get on the ball and look to create. Played a wonderful through ball for Salah to score against Arsenal and then rounded it off with a sublime scooped pass for Carvalho to score in the same game.
Left wing:
Carvalho played here for much of pre-season and looked very good, earning himself a good move to Brentford with goals against Arsenal and United. Gordon also got minutes here and did enough to earn himself a stay of execution, because I really thought his Liverpool career was over but now a loan is looking likely. Diaz came in against Sevilla and was brilliant, showcasing exactly why people expect more from him that 7 or 8 goals a season. If he stays and plays like that every week, nobody will care what his Dad says about Barcelona. Nyoni was subbed on for Diaz and scored an absolute peach of a volley after following in an attack he started. Gakpo played against Las Palmas and although he worked hard he looked totally disjointed with Robertson and had zero effect on the game.
Striker:
Jota took a while to get back in the zone in front of goal but his goal against Sevilla was a stunner, and if that had been a week later against Ipswich it would’ve been in the pot for goal of the season. His build up play and hold up play was also very good thorughout pre-season so expect him to start here next weekend. Nunez on the other hand was really poor against La Palmas, failing to stay onside for a simple tap in, failing to release the ball to Gakpo in a timely manner for a guaranteed 1v1 chance, failing to really test the keeper from 6 yards out, taking heavy touches, playing loose passes etc. I want him to succeed so badly and this was only his first pre-season game so take it with a pinch of salt but he has to be doing better. Blair got some good minutes here but I don’t really rate him there, as he’s much better out wide.
Conclusion:
All in all a good pre-season. I think it showed that we do still need another versatile forward even if that pushes Gakpo and Nunez down the pecking order, as we currently look very reliant on Salah and Jota staying fit and in form. Also an Endo replacement in midfield should be a priority. Lastly a left sided defender who can cover both CB and LB would be good.
Written by MK Scouser August 12 2024 20:14:34
