Not a bad run out for the first preseason game. As other's have pointed out, Slot's style will take getting used to. The shape of the team is clearly different than it was under Klopp. It will be interesting to see if he continues with this same shape throughout the preseason. Really hoping that Jones has not picked up an injury because I have very high hopes for him this season.
Just to show the depth of the squad, here is an eleven of players who are still yet to return: Allison Gomez Konate Virgil Robertson Trent MacAllister Diaz Jota Nunez Gakpo Sub: Gravenberch
I couldn't tell much from this game other than Doak and Nyoni really have quick feet, and Baj is looking like he's going to be back this season.
Some of the front guys weren’t set up to shine tonight, we’re missing a striker or 2 on this tour so whatever Arne tries out will be makeshift. The obvious choice seemed like Fabio up top with Mo and Szobo on the left but ended up seeing Harvey and Szobo as our furthest players and Mo/Fabio isolated out wide.
It looked like the focus was on passing thru the lines and I thought we were quite effective at doing it. We did lack a cutting edge up top which ws understandable given the forwards we had missing.
Trey Nyoni vs Real Betis.Made a name for himself today.https://t.co/alF0plA4qJ— Watch LFC (@Watch_LFC) July 27, 2024
Scrappy match, though, wasn't it? I wouldn't read too much in it but Betis seemed to have 5 or 6 players in the box each time we attacked to stifle any attack-- something to work on for Liverpool, then. Betis also seems to have mastered the art of brushing players off the ball and tugging at their shirts if that doesn't work. Some good youngsters, out there, though. The future is bright,
The youthful squad was down to Liverpool's policy to give their players from Euro 2024 and Copa America their full recommended three-week holiday, as dictated by players' union FIFPro, when many rivals cut them short.
Slot confirmed that the strange formation was do the fact that he did not have any centerforwards to choose from. He called Elliott and Szoboszlai a “double 10.” So it seems like the formation Slot wants to play is a 4-2-3-1 despite denying that’s the way he plays. He wants two midfielders who sit in front of the back 4. Two wingers who stay very wide. A number 10 and a centerforward. There was also some interesting things going on with the way the fullbacks were playing. In our squad the options to play in the double pivot will be Mac Allister, Jones, Endo, Bajcetic, and Gravenberch. Maybe Trent? Slot clearly sees Elliott and Szoboszlai as options in the number 10. As wide options we have Salah, Diaz, and Gakpo. I think another pacy winger is something we should be targeting in the transfer market. If we could add a right sided winger it could even result in Salah playing in one of the central roles. For centerforward we have Nunez and Jota. Clearly several of our players can fit into more than one of these roles.
Thank God Szobo is seen as a 10...Just because he has the lungs doesn't make him an 8..He'll look much better under Slot I'm guessing cause hes not a CM.Period.
lost for words. what total nonsense is this?? Arsenal beat Man United 2-1 in a pre-season friendly over the weekend and Man United beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in a pre-season friendly over the weekend. Confused? The match, played in Los Angeles on Saturday night, saw Rasmus Hojlund put United ahead, before Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli scored for the Gunners. Still, though, the match went to a penalty shootout – which United ‘won’ 4-3. The reason is, this match, plus the two games involving Liverpool are part of a so-called ‘Rivals in Red’ tour in the USA and all three games will involve a penalty shootout regardless of the scoreline. A message to supporters at the SoFi Stadium in LA read: “The competition rules for tonight’s match call for a penalty kicks exhibition to be conducted regardless of the score after regulation. They will begin approximately five minutes after the end of the match. Please stay after the conclusion of the match regardless of the score to watch tonight’s penalty kicks.”
Personally I don't like to see this kind of thing and probably most regular fans of football won't either but casual fans just buying a ticket for the whole spectacle of the occasion will be entertained. These tours are all about selling tickets and making a buck so I suppose anything goes.
I also didn't realize he was so tall. He's got an inch or two on Quansah. Maybe we don't need a CB purchase...
Betis, as the 7th place finisher in Spain, is definitely better than 10 teams in england. Let's not act like we just played a ligue 2 team.
I think it's quite possible that Liverpool would like to keep Vandenberg as a 4th or 5th cb option but the issue is more likely to be that the player doesn't want to be 4th or 5th option. He's experienced club football as a regular starter and wants that again.
But its preseason football and more about fitness and shaking off the rust etc. Results are for the most part meaningless.
Name a pre-season friendly that was ever important? Name any pre-season result starting last pre-season and going backwards?
I think perhaps the final preseason game might have some significance as it is the last chance for the coach to prepare his side for the first league game. I'd expect a coach to want to get a positive result from this one yet still not the end of the world if it isn't.
that's how I see it. he can be the new Nat Philips or play every week in a European league. I know which one I'd prefer. that said I hope the club find a way to keep him, another long season coming up and most of our squad have had bare-bones-minimum breaks.
yep. having us vs MU and vs Arse this summer is a total pain imo - there's a danger of too much player pride (and bragging rights for some fans, esp MU's) for the players to coast and treat it like the exhibition game it is.