Yesterday (at the time of writing) was Liverpool’s first game of pre-season, and as usual, nothing can be taken from it. “It’s only pre-season, can’t take anything from the games”- You know, the usual procedure?
I’m not so sure, although I am sure that you definitely can’t read too much into games and training at this stage. But nothing? That’s unfair on pre-season; gives it bad press.
I’ve only really noticed pre-season in the last couple of years. Before that it was more a case of realising people on the fringes of the Liverpool squad on FIFA really did exist, and being excited as I had no doubt that Damien Plessis was the next Vieira, Maradona and Cruyff rolled into one.
Each pre-season, it’s all the same. Always. Same procedure.
Here’s a chance to look at new signings, potential new styles and just generally begin to watch football again after a long summer of exams, tennis and 10:30pm transfer news. The good stuff is back now, and The Reds are undoubtedly going to be great.
Year in, year out. Same procedure.
New signings tend to determine the outlook of fans ahead of a new season, for better or worse. We’ve had our share of pre-season merchants over the years, but I’m convinced that this year they’re all different. Pre-season merchants are the absolute worst, the players who don’t know they’re rubbish and leave it a while for most fans to realise the same. Think Andriy Voronin, think Iago Aspas. These players sell dreams during pre-season, only to dash those same dreams within 45 seconds of their first competitive games. We’ve all seen them, and we know their ways. There’s no way the same mistake has been made though, because this time it’s all different. NOT the same procedure. Definitely not. We hope. Maybe.
Focusing on this year, and the current situation. I’m happy, and so should you all be. There’s been a host of new signings with (my own guesswork only) probably another two expected, some of whom could go on to be brilliant, who knows?
Briefly on the crowd yesterday; it seemed far lower than expected from a Liverpool pre-season tour, which isn’t good for the club or my ego as a fan. Remember the past images of a stadium full of fans going absolutely mental as Charlie Adam sweltered his way around a pitch usually used for baseball? Will they be back soon? Although that is definitely an indication of a lack of ‘star’ names currently at the club, it is also probably a sign that a midweek day for a game affects attendances. Who would’ve thought?
A perhaps unavoidable issue with the whole scheduling thing that people far smarter and more experienced in this than me have come up with, but still a factor.
The game was alright. I mean, they won, and some players looked sharp. Four goals scored and none conceded is always a bonus, despite our best efforts to concede dangerous set-pieces late on in the game, at which point the pitch resembled a sea. Like, the actual, real sea.
The weather was appalling, summed up when Jordon Ibe attempted to start a direct run only to realise he’d left the ball behind where it was, causing waves as two players paddled to retrieve it. A funny, light-hearted moment at a point in the game where everyone except Jordan Henderson was starting to lose interest.
The stand-out for me was Divock Origi, who I’d like to quickly discuss. The man who was named in the “Ligue 1 Worst Team of the Year” last season looked absolutely nothing like a man who is a laughing stock. His performance was only against the Thai All-Stars, so can’t be judged too much, but his movement and his hunger can. Christ, his hunger.
Having missed an early chance and striking the wood-work twice, he simply was not having a goalless game. Wasn’t happening. Once he’d scored a fairly thunderous header, he picked his head up a little more and nearly teed up Lallana for a fifth. Not only this, but he has this hunger completely controlled. When he was inches away from connecting with a Joe Maguire cross with an outstretched leg, did he pound the ground angrily and curse the Gods? No, he got up with a slightly rueful smile and laughed. Went again. Hit the post. Went again. Should’ve scored this time. Hit the post. It’s all a game, and Divock Origi was just enjoying it. He signing could of course go either way as yet on the pitch, but he seems like a good lad and he’s won me over.
The tour continues in Australia now, and let’s hope it continues in the same manner. Enjoy these times, before the serious business comes back and the fear of failure comes with it.
