Liverpool return home from their preseason tour of America after what can confidently be classed as a successful three-week period in the States. Wins against Olympiacos, AC Milan and Manchester City (on penalties) were only marred by the unfortunate defeat to Roma at Fenway Park in July – due only to a scrappy, deflected, 90th minute winner – and Monday’s loss in the final of the Guinness International Champions Cup to bitter rivals, Manchester United. It was only a friendly though guys, chill.
Unfortunate injuries to Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Jon Flanagan and Lazar Markovic, as well as Dejan Lovren’s inability to get his visa in time (#stupidvisa), meant that Liverpool were at a disadvantage going into the competition: in terms of getting fit for the new season, and of competing for the title. Despite their lack of first team talent, Liverpool’s youngsters stepped up to the mark and put in performances that’ll surely give Brendan Rodgers a selection headache when it comes to fixtures in the coming season. Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho – two young attackers who had an impact on Liverpool’s first team last year – continued their fine form and were at the heart of everything positive for Liverpool during the tournament. This form was epitomised in the first half against Manchester United last night, with Coutinho running Ander Herrera and Darren Fletcher ragged, and Raheem Sterling causing all sorts of problems with Louis van Gaal’s back three of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones – the latter conceding a penalty for a late challenge after Sterling sped past him.
On Sterling’s performance during the tour, Brendan Rodgers said:
“I thought [Sterling] was outstanding and was a real threat. Raheem is tactically aware for such a young player and is so exciting to watch. When he runs at defenders he creates many opportunities. At 19 years of age he is a real talent and is getting better all the time.”
Jordon Ibe has also impressed during the tour. The young Englishman – exactly a year younger than the aforementioned Raheem Sterling – spent the second half of last year impressing at Championship side Birmingham City, and has long been tipped to push for a first team place. This tour might well have been the final, and most successful, push. While his finishing isn’t the most impressive aspect of his game, his close control and powerful, pacey runs are Sterling-esque and could provide an excellent outlet from the wing for Liverpool next season, should we opt against loaning him out again. I, for one, think we should keep Ibe and use him in the domestic tournaments that we would hope to be competing for in the coming season, integrating him slowly and seeing how he improves as the season progresses.
Another youngster who seems to have benefited from a loan out is 20-year old Suso, who impressed at Almeria in Spain last season. His excellently-taken goal against AC Milan was reflective of his success in Spain and the reports of a new contract for Suso could show Rodgers’ intent for the young Spaniard.
Two centre backs impressed on tour, too: French World Cup star, Mamadou Sakho, was excellent towards the end of the tour as his game-time increased. I’m a big fan of Sakho and feel that a partnership with Lovren could solve a lot of problems at the back for Liverpool this season, so to see him excelling already is encouraging. The other centre back was an unexpected surprise: Uruguayan, Sebastian Coates, was brought in from Nacional for £5M a few years ago but injury problems have stunted his development and he spent the back-end of last season on loan back in South America. His dominant and controlling displays at the back showed a different side to the wobbly, inconsistent Uruguayan we have been used to. Whether he’s made enough of an impact to push for a first team place, however, is another matter – what with Lovren, Sakho, Skrtel and Agger all being ahead of him in the pecking order. He has admitted that he may have to leave to get more game time, something that seems a realistic option this window, especially having advertised himself so well during preseason.
The most encouraging factor for me throughout the tour is this: the areas we were good in, we knew we were good in. The areas we were okay in, we’ve improved upon and are awaiting our new signings to reach full fitness/sort their visa out (#stupidvisa). The areas we were poor in, we are addressing as I type – Manquillo’s signing being hopefully the first of two that are reportedly close. Glen Johnson has been off form for as long as I can remember – we’re signing fullbacks to ensure we have enough numbers in defense to compete for that role, rather than allowing Johnson a free-pass to our right back role. The distinct lack of Luis Suarez on the tour was only filled by Rickie Lambert and, however much Alan Curbishley and Trevor Francis want to believe it, Lambert was not our Suarez replacement. I have every faith in Brendan Rodgers and the board to find another attacker, so that Lambert’s role at the club is as the third striker. He was never intended to fill a hole left by the World’s best striker, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t worth every penny.
All in all, a very encouraging tour. It’s a shame more of our new players didn’t have more game time but, with Dortmund around the corner, I’m sure we’ll see a few new faces at Anfield before the big kick off a week later.
