The Liverpool FC Thread XIV

Balotelli is gone, then. Happy days.

Reply 8442

S_x_x

13

Lovren really showed us something at the end of last season

Reply 8443

Saw some brief highlights - and Ings looked hungry and raring to go. He probably just loves being back on the grass with teammates, to be honest, but it bodes well.*

Didn't realise Tranmere had that fat McNulty lad these days.*

Reply 8444

Zerforax

OP

Original post by Mackay

Balotelli is gone, then. Happy days.

On the basis that he wasn't included in the pre-season match?

I guess we've either got to sell, loan or terminate his contract?

Reply 8445

bj27

Original post by So Instinct

Or till he expires :lol:

You listen to my man bas.

Reply 8446

I know people will be giving the plaudits to Alexander-Arnold and Ings, however I think it's worth mentioning just how impressive Ejaria and Kent looked in the match yesterday.

Yes it was only a friendly against Tranmere, however both looked exceptional on the ball and not short of confidence. Ejaria is huge but his control is excellent. Very good signs.

Reply 8447

Hugs31

16

How did our new signings fare in yesterday's friendly?

Reply 8448

Original post by Zerforax

On the basis that he wasn't included in the pre-season match?

I guess we've either got to sell, loan or terminate his contract?

Yep.

Paul Joyce: "Despite interest from Fenerbahce and Sampdoria, Liverpool could be forced to send Balotelli back out on loan or come to some agreement with him that would terminate his contract."

Reply 8449

So Instinct

20

Original post by bammy jastard 27

You listen to my man bas.

Listened to that just the other day. Bas is a real one.

Reply 8450

Original post by Hugs31

How did our new signings fare in yesterday's friendly?

Hard to judge really, they only got 45 minutes and were barely tested against Tranmere.

Karius looks confident and appears to be relishing the opportunity to challenge Mignolet, however barely had to do a thing so can't say much there.

Matip again had to do little but it's clear he's comfortable on the ball which is a good sign. With Sakho cleared and Lovren looking solid, we have some really good CB options next season.

Mané's blistering pace was obvious from the get go. I think the big thing he'll add is the fact that he loves to get in behind the defence. With players like Coutinho being able to thread a pass through, we might be able to score a different type of goal than we're used to.

Reply 8451

Hugs31

16

Original post by Lúcio

Hard to judge really, they only got 45 minutes and were barely tested against Tranmere.

Karius looks confident and appears to be relishing the opportunity to challenge Mignolet, however barely had to do a thing so can't say much there.

Matip again had to do little but it's clear he's comfortable on the ball which is a good sign. With Sakho cleared and Lovren looking solid, we have some really good CB options next season.

Mané's blistering pace was obvious from the get go. I think the big thing he'll add is the fact that he loves to get in behind the defence. With players like Coutinho being able to thread a pass through, we might be able to score a different type of goal than we're used to.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Mané does for us, it got frustrating when we played three no 10s at once because no one was looking to go beyond the ball, they all wanted to be the one passing it, which can make it easier to defend in my view. Sadio will give us something different in attack.
Good to see Alexander-Arnold and Woodburn get game time as well.

Reply 8452

Most pleasing aspect of Karius' performance was his footwork for me. Confident on the deck, he moved the ball and shifted it quickly, linking the play with the centre-backs pretty straightforwardly.*

Reply 8453

Original post by Mackay

Most pleasing aspect of Karius' performance was his footwork for me. Confident on the deck, he moved the ball and shifted it quickly, linking the play with the centre-backs pretty straightforwardly.*

That's the key for me - we'll have a defence that can start an attack from the back.
Everybody is confident on the ball and give Sakho enough time and he can shoot a ball forward for Sturridge/Mané to get in behind.

How do you think ours CB's are gonna go? If Matip turned out to be great, would he replace Sakho or Lovren?

Reply 8454

Original post by Lúcio

That's the key for me - we'll have a defence that can start an attack from the back.
Everybody is confident on the ball and give Sakho enough time and he can shoot a ball forward for Sturridge/Mané to get in behind.

How do you think ours CB's are gonna go? If Matip turned out to be great, would he replace Sakho or Lovren?

The way he was deployed at Tranmere, you'd suggest it would be Matip on the right-hand side of the central defensive partnership, with Sakho on the left, where he's more comfortable.

Reply 8455

Original post by Mackay

The way he was deployed at Tranmere, you'd suggest it would be Matip on the right-hand side of the central defensive partnership, with Sakho on the left, where he's more comfortable.

That'd be a shame for Lovren because he's been excellent since Klopp took over. That being said, I think it's clear that Sakho is our first choice.
I can definitely see him as our next captain because Henderson just isn't gonna cut it.

I'm extremely happy with a preference order of Sakho, Matip, Lovren and Gomez (if we'd play him CB) going in to next season.

Reply 8456

Zerforax

OP

Sounds like Benteke move should happen in the next week or so after it is being reported that Benteke has agreed personal terms with Crystal Palace.

Reply 8457

mr tim

18

Skrtel will be in Istanbul tomorrow for talks with Fenerbahnce

Reply 8458

Original post by Zerforax

Sounds like Benteke move should happen in the next week or so after it is being reported that Benteke has agreed personal terms with Crystal Palace.

Original post by mr tim

Skrtel will be in Istanbul tomorrow for talks with Fenerbahnce

Sale! Sale! EVERYTHING MUST GO.

Reply 8459

Zerforax

OP