After a very successful pre-season tour of Indonesia, Australia and Thailand, Liverpool have now returned back home to continue their preparations for the new season. The tour was a fantastic success. The players got through a lot of work on the pitch in tough conditions, did a lot of crowd-pleasing and were part of some fantastic occasions, including playing in front of 95,000 fans at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. For players like Jordon Ibe, as well as the four new signings, the tour will have have served as a real eye opener as to just how big Liverpool Football Club is.
Brendan Rodgers’ men are yet to concede a goal this summer, and have scored 11 goals so far. It doesn’t mean much, but that record compared to our previous two pre-seasons makes for interesting viewing. This time two years ago, Liverpool were also in Asia and conceded three goals to Guangdong FC, three to a Malaysia XI and three to Valerenga. That summer, the Reds also lost 3-0 away to both Hull and Galatasaray. In our previous pre-season, albeit with a very young squad and a new manager, we drew 1-1 with Toronto FC, lost 2-1 to Roma and drew 0-0 with Spurs in Baltimore. What’s clear is that we now look much more of a ‘footballing side’ than we did this time last season. We have a clear plan and strategy in place going in to each and every game. There is an identity there now. What’s also helped is the added depth in the squad. We have plenty more options, and with that comes plenty of different ways in which we can choose to approach certain games.
As far as the quality of the current squad goes, it is no secret that Brendan Rodgers is looking to bring in a couple of players that can slot straight in to the first team. But without them, what I think people need to remember is that this is very much a developing side. It’s a young team, with a young manager, which has only just been put together. The signs towards the end of last season were very good. Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, who impressed so much in the second half of the season, haven’t even been at the club for seven months. Brendan Rodgers’ main asset as a manager is his coaching ability. He will be looking to improve these players further and further as the season goes on. In terms of mounting a challenge for fourth spot, it’s vital that we keep Coutinho fit. When he plays, we can beat any side. A scary talent, who still has so much potential to fulfil.
There are plenty of players that have impressed over the course of the four pre-season games that we have played so far. Coutinho is one, Jordon Ibe and Raheem Sterling look hungry to impress and will be very keen to push for spots in the first XI. Joe Allen has also played well, and was part of a team that Rodgers considered to be ‘his strongest side’ against Thailand on Sunday. His midfield compatriot Lucas Leiva said last week that he was feeling ‘50% better’ on the pitch following his injury, and Rodgers also claimed that he looked ‘a different player’. If Liverpool can keep these players fit, competition for places will be extremely healthy going in to the new season. That can only be a good thing.
With other sides improving their squads, finishing in the top four will be an extremely tough ask this season. I think a lot depends on the transfer window, but improving on our 7th placed finish last season will be marked as progress, which is the ultimate aim.
