Liverpool continued to roll Down Under, beating Adelaide United 0-2 in the third match of their preseason tour. While the result was never in doubt, the Merseysiders thrilled the 53,000 plus that filled the Adelaide Oval in waves of red.
The early transfer policy looks more shred than ever, as the new signings stepped up their integration within the squad. Remaining transfers cannot be added soon enough, as the final third still poses more questions than answers, despite the scorelines seen on tour.
Here are four findings from the match.
The Kids are Alright
Joe Gomez keeps catching the eye. While the new defender was eventually replaced by Alberto Moreno, Gomez is making a case for consideration as the left fullback. Moreno may still be recovering from a mild knock, but that could be complicated by the kid from Charlton.
Similarly, Jordan Ibe is doing his best to make everyone forget that Raheem Sterling has left. The wide-playing teen was one of the brightest players on the pitch. Pushing forward in attack, his pace and power will cause all kinds of problems for defenders. Also, while Divock Origi struggled in this match, there will be opportunities for him to grow. The Belgian may benefit most from the imminent arrival of his fellow countryman as strike partner.
Finishers Still Needed
Personnel will no doubt determine exactly who is playing and where, but the prospect of Liverpool playing with only one central striker resembles the blunted attack of last season, so far. This can certainly change as more players make it into the team. Yet, finishing will continue to be an issue for this team until they can prove to be a sustainable threat otherwise.
Origi is not quite ready to lead the line and Danny Ings is not yet a bonafide first team selection. Only the arrival of Christian Benteke and return of Daniel Sturridge look like providing top class finishing from up front.
Missing Midfield Steel
A looming problem that has haunted Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool team, all but during the spell with Steven Gerrard in the deep-lying midfield role, is the lack of a rugged physical presence just in front of the defense.
Neither Lucas Leiva nor Joe Allen provide a lot of steel centrally, at the base of midfield. With James Milner and Jordan Henderson going from box-to-box, weakness is revealed in their wake of their attacks. This can leave the midfield overrun and the defense exposed against better competition, particularly large, physical opposition that can impose themselves.
Managing the rotation of attacking midfielders in a successful way will continue to be a challenge, if not addressed directly.
Clyne Could Be Key
Clyne could be the key component in a stronger, stingier defense. His presence has almost guaranteed that Liverpool will line up with four defenders for the foreseeable future. He is a better defender than many believe and he will flood forward in attack. His pass for Ings’ finish showed poise and possibilities for a more varied attacking threat going forward.
Fullbacks free to fly forward and look for a big target in the middle could be more successful than it has been in years. Clyne’s addition simply solidifies an improving defense and reduces the need for makeshift changes. Regular play and strong performances could also recharge his international career too.
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