As difficult as it is to get a sense of what the team will look like in a month’s time, when Liverpool open their season at Stoke, pre-season matches can offer some meagre insights. The Reds’ evening in Bangkok was really two mini-games, in truth, and was clearly focused on fitness above all else. Still, some observations are revealing, even in an easy 4-0 win against the Thai All Stars.
The hosts provided little opposition, in truth. The weather proved to be more of an obstacle, whether it be the humidity or the monsoon rains and waterlogged pitch. Still, it is clear that squad remains deep, despite a number of missing players and some that are likely to leave on loan.
Here are four findings from the match.
New signings shown
Strikers Danny Ings and Divock Origi made notable debuts, showing speed and intent towards goal. While Ings had his first goal as a Red waved off, he was lively and good on the ball, nearly scoring on a couple of other occasions, as well. Origi, on the other hand, finally made good from a corner, after spraying a couple of chances off the woodwork. Both should grow more threatening with even sharper service, as the last ball was understandably lacking precision. Yet, neither looks like a line leading first choice, but a complimentary second striker.
James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne fit right into the second half side, as if they were regulars. Neither did anything truly remarkable, however both were physically strong and steady, and will no doubt be improvements respectively. Milner gave Jordan Henderson greater license to advance forward, as well as picking opportunities to drive into the area himself on attack. While Clyne is an immediate defensive upgrade over departed Glen Johnson, his attacking down the flanks will only complement whatever wide man is paired with him. An already intriguing relationship with Jordon Ibe was budding even with an almost unplayable right side of the pitch.
Pressing returns
An early goal probably did more to thwart the initial high defensive pressing game in the first half than manager Brendan Rodgers pitched before the match. If the Thai All Stars had any notion of getting on the ball, conceding in the third minute had them dropping off and playing in their own half nearly the whole contest. However, the Reds worked hard to win the ball back after poor touches and actually pressed the game with the ball for long stretches in both halves.
The first side decidedly dictated play and took time to adjust to the time afforded them and lack of defensive pressure. The second side started with an even higher tempo and aggression. Both halves saw the team take their foot off the gas, however, given the circumstances. It will be interesting to see how the team looks with better competition that can actually hold the ball for any length of time.
Importance of possession
Given the striking options, at the moment, there is no question Liverpool will make heavy use of possession as a primary tactic to control and dictate games in their favour. This match gave them plenty of time on the ball and options to keep it moving around the pitch. Pre-season is precisely the time to routinise certain patterns of play, and the Reds were clearly trying to take advantage of the opportunity.
Even though the hosts did not offer much of a challenge, it was obvious that keeping and moving the ball at a high tempo, while attacking open spaces, was a focus of such an early preparatory match. Granted those elements are always at play, but Liverpool were visibly deliberate in their buildup play and recycling. Also of note was how often tightly angled, vertical through balls were employed to spring runners behind the defence. Stronger, more compact defensive teams will limit that tactic, but players were seeing it and attacking it with haste.
Searching for scorers
Last season’s striking woes are well documented, but this squad did little to address the issue, regardless of scoreline. None of the strikers employed today are likely to lead the line and offer the kind of scoring threat required for league success. Rather there are a host of very viable second strikers that can thrive with a true number one finisher. Again, a healthy Daniel Sturridge will be a definitive but unreliable premium.
Two goals from corners against a weak and small defence will not be available, and only two finishes from the run of play is understandable for pre-season. Yet, scoring still looks like a riddle that needs solving.
Advanced midfield play will again be relied upon to produce goals. Incisive runs from deeper positions will unquestionably be a staple tactic of Liverpool’s attacking play, even more so if another top class striker does not arrive. However, with some sure to start attacking midfielders missing still from the fold there is a lot more to see.
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