5 things to note from Liverpool’s pre-season tour to Austria
As Liverpool‘s Pre-season of Austria has come to an end, here are 5 important things we learned from the tour.
Prior to a weekend that includes two games in one day, the Reds are scheduled to come home on Friday.
The day after the Community Shield match versus Man City, Liverpool will be playing a friendly game against Strasbourg at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp is happy with the advancement his team has made in the most recent round of their summer schedule. And this is despite a 1-0 loss to Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday night.
What can we specifically learn from Liverpool’s week at Saalfelden?
Liverpool may face a Goalkeeper crisis
Due to Alisson and Kelleher’s injury, third-choice goalkeeper Adrian has seen a lot of play in preseason games.
But only a few days are left until the Community Shield and just over a week until Liverpool kicks off its Premier League campaign at Fulham. Therefore, the Reds absolutely need Alisson or Kelleher to be fully fit.
As the player closest to a return of any of Liverpool’s currently injured players, No. 1 is the most likely to return first.
The race is on for him to be prepared for Saturday’s game versus City after returning to light training earlier this week.
Van Dijk’s Center back partner
Since Joe Gomez’s renewal with the Reds earlier this summer, Klopp now has a wide range of defensive options for his center-back position.
Virgil van Dijk’s center-back partner at the end of the previous season was Ibrahima Konate. But it appears another player may be in line to start alongside the Dutchman versus City.
In the final 30 minutes of the friendly against Salzburg, Joel Matip paired Van Dijk in a lineup that appeared poised to start together at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
The defensive four consisted of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and Thiago made up the midfield three. Roberto Firmino, Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah were in attack.
So, Matip may pair up with Virgil.
Bajcetic to play more for the first team
One academy prospect, in particular, has truly stood out among those who have played with the first team throughout the preseason. Stefan Bajcetic, 17, has a professional look.
The Spaniard was entertaining to watch in the second half against RB Leipzig last week. And he received a further 45 minutes to perform against Salzburg on Wednesday.
At the basis of Liverpool’s midfield, Bajcetic hasn’t shown any signs of being intimidated. He is able to press effectively and put his foot in with a tackle. At ease on the ball.
His participation during the preseason would indicate that he might be in line for more first-team play this year. Have Liverpool found an internal replacement for Fabinho?
Super-sub Carvalho
Darwin Nunez is the Liverpool newcomer who everyone has been keeping an eye on this summer given his expensive price tag.
However, Fabio Carvalho‘s start to life at the club certainly shouldn’t go ignored.
The Portuguese player, who is only 19, is unquestionably a player of the future. But his displays against Leipzig and Salzburg showed he is also a player of the present.
During the preseason, Carvalho has been playing on the left side of the attack as well as in a midfield three. His skill and ingenuity with the ball are excellent. He will be a valuable asset for the Reds in the future.
Firmino Over Nunez?
Nunez made a strong start for Liverpool with four goals against Leipzig. But based on Klopp’s subsequent team decisions, it appears Firmino may currently be ahead of him in the pecking order.
It was fascinating to see the Reds’ new No. 27 start against Salzburg in what appears to be more of a “B team.”
If Klopp was going to unleash Nunez against City, you’d expect him to have Salah and Diaz alongside, in the second half. That may have something to do with the fact that he connected so effectively with players like Elliott and Carvalho against Leipzig.
Last week’s match against Leipzig had Firmino in very fine form. And Klopp recently made clear his opinion that the Brazilian is a “world-class” striker.
It’s possible that Nunez will be made to the team gradually. As has been the case with many of Klopp’s acquisitions over the year.
