After a much-needed break for the relentless Reds side, Liverpool are heading toward pre-season with plenty to look forward to
It’s been a month since Liverpool’s heartbreak in the Champions League final. But leaving disappointment aside perseverant Klopp’s side will head into pre-season for their preparation for the upcoming 2022/23 season.
The 5 Things to look out for in the pre-season for Liverpool
Liverpool starts preparation for the 2022/23 season starts on July 4. While Klopp’s men will kick start their campaign away to Fulham in the Premier League on August 6.
In between these 33 days from July 4 to August 6, with pre-season ties scheduled, they will take trips to Thailand, Singapore, Austria, and Germany and then make a return to England for two further games, making for another busy summer ahead.
The Reds’ fresh-looked side with three new signings, the team is gearing up for their surge of the biggest trophies next season.
The new trio
Having completed the business early (as always), it’s about time fans sight the new trio of Fabio Carvalho, Darwin Nunez, and Calvin Ramsey in the Liverpool shirt on the pitch.
Each of them arrives with different expectations but given they are all younger end of the age range ensures Klopp will try to keep things slow and steady. Moreover, doesn’t expect them to hit the ground straight away.
But fans are excited about what they will offer. With anticipation surrounding Carvalho linking up with his former Fulham mate Harvey Elliott. Furthermore, Ramsey as Trent Alexander Arnold’s deputized in the full-back role will be intriguing.
Moreover, potential club record signing Darwin Nunez, and what he offers on the pitch, given he’s more of a traditional striker. Klopp must have been ready with his master plan with little tweaks and changes in the system.
A change in formation by Klopp?
As mentioned earlier, Nunez is a traditional forward, and signing him was particularly a bit shocking with some portion of Liverpool. So far in Klopp’s era, the German hasn’t deployed a traditional forward in his forward line so far.
Playing Nunez upfront gives new dynamic and guarantees goals, but that also raises the question of whether Klopp will make changes to his playing system?
Is transforming from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 on the cards? With Fabio Carvalho in the number 10 position or Roberto Firmino could also fill in.
Only time will say what Klopp has to offer.
A stage for academy players to shine
Pre-season is very crucial for players coming through the academy ranks. Being a part of the first team action and working directly under Klopp is a big boost for these young footballers.
Last year, the likes of Tyler Morton, Owen Beck, Conor Bradley, and Kaide Gordon worked shoulder to shoulder with the first team, and moreover, they all want to make their debut during the season.
Meanwhile, we should keep an eye on prolific under-18s forward Oakley Cannonier, Isaac Mabaya, Mateusz Musialowski, Stefan Bajcetic, and the new youth recruit in Ben Doak.
Not long until we find who makes it to the first team action more often.
Time to step up for Jones and Elliott
For both Jones and Elliott, last season was interrupted by injuries. As Jones missed out on 12 games while Elliott’s horrific injury at Elland Road sidelined him for nearly five months.
Both players have points to prove in the pre-season given both have ample amount of talent but to be in the starting eleven both need to step up and deliver week in and week out.
The good news for both of them is that no other midfielder is expected to be added this summer. Klopp expects Jones to show more of his maturing game, meanwhile, Elliott will be eager to display his game-changing ability.
The Reds travel the world
Liverpool will enjoy their first pre-season tour in three years. The Merseysiders’ will travel to the Far East since 2017, with Thailand and Singapore on the agenda this time around.
In recent seasons, the pandemic forced the Anfield club to remain closer to home but finally, they have the chance to travel beyond Europe this summer.
Liverpool and Manchester United meet in a lucrative pre-season friendly for the first time since 2018. The glamour tie is scheduled to take place at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on July 12 as part of the Bangkok Century Cup.
Moreover, three days later, Klopp’s & Co. will travel to Singapore to face fellow English top-flight side Crystal Palace in the Standard Chartered Singapore Trophy.
After this short trip to South East Asia, will return back to Europe to continue their preparation for next season.
Returning to normalcy and seeing the club travel far in pre-season is always welcome. Moreover, a great chance for players who arrived in the recent seasons (during the pandemic times) to travel and see how far the club is being loved and supported in different parts of the world.
