How to approach the next two friendly games

Finally made the leap of faith from the BBC’s 606 to Not606… better late than never!

I don’t want to jump on the bandwagon in terms of panicking over what was a woeful performance and a dreadful result – it was, after all, a pre-season friendly that will be forgotten assuming we win our first game against Sunderland. However, three goals conceded in each friendly so far suggests there are some problems worth highlighting and I think it’s time to take a more serious approach to the remaining friendly games to ensure confidence isn’t dented before the season begins.

The first step should be to demote the youngsters that are unlikely to play a role this season: Coady, Wisdom, Ayala, etc. That’s not to criticise their performances, but with limited game time left before the season starts it’s important to focus on the core of the squad to ensure they are match fit.

I’d look at the Galatasaray/Valerenga games as being tied together and aim to play a separate XI in each match with the bulk of the players performing for 70-90minutes. This should get the bulk of the squad match fit and by playing more settled sides it should cut out some of the obvious errors that are bound to occur when you mix and match the line-up.

The sides I’d go with are:

To play Galatasaray:

GK – Doni

LB – Insua
CB – Carragher
CB – Skrtel (Returning from injury so would play 45mins and be replaced by Kyriagkos)
RB – Johnson

LM – Cole
CM – Spearing
CM – Aquilani
RM – Rodriguez

ST – Carroll
ST – Ngog

To play Valerenga:

GK – Reina (If fit, otherwise Jones. Reina to be replaced by Jones after 45mins)

LB – Aurelio (If fit, otherwise Robinson. Aurelio to be replaced by Robinson after 45mins)
CB – Wilson
CB – Agger
RB – Kelly

LM – Downing
CM – Lucas (Returning from Copa America, to be replaced by Shelvey after 45mins)
CM – Adam
RM – Henderson

AM – Gerrard (Returning from injury, to be replaced by Meireles after 45mins)
ST - Kuyt

This ensures that all the team are getting game time with the bulk of the players hopefully getting a full match in.

It also means no use of the younger players who are unlikely to play during the season and can gain match fitness with the reserves… and no role for the players we really should be looking to ship out: Poulsen, Degen, El Zhar, Jovanovic, etc.

 

Welcome to the forum!

A good first article!

I agree with the points you have made. The Hull result confirms to me and probably Kenny that the fringe players simply aren't good enough and need to go. We do need to get the 'first team' playing together and giving them all at least 45 minutes would be a good idea. I don't agree with you regarding the youngsters. Giving them 15 minutes at the end of games can only help them. I don't believe taking them out of the final pre-season games is a good idea. They would get first-team experience and at the age they are, that is crucial.

Agree with the bulk of the team you have chosen for the two games.

 

Welcome LFCDarlo! Good post.

I'd have to agree. I think we need settled teams - even if they are trial ones - for the next two friendlies.

I'm very much looking forward to Suarez's return (hopefully with a Copa America winners medal!), so he can start to practise with big AC. Looking forward to Lucas coming back, too. His absence has highlighted our increased dependance on his defensive midfield skills. (Don't get me started on Poulsen!)

Once again, nice to have you aboard.

 

Almost forgot to mention, I would recommend that a mod makes this an article. Top-notch.

 

I agree we need the next 3 games for the players who will be a major part of the season to bond and get their game together.

 

Welcome to the site mate! Any queries give us a shout.

I would like to see Adam starting. I think he could become quite important for us.

 

The main reason we are conceding goals is that lucas is missing, plus the entire emphasis has been on the team attacking.

Welcome to the board.

 

I think you're probably in tune with KK and SC. I think they separated the friendlies for experimentation and then solidifying. We've got Valencia after these two so that's a good run to start working on the serious first-teamers, or as many as are available.

 

Cheers for the welcomes all and for the recommendation Chris...

I can see the argument for throwing the youngsters into the mix late on in games... but right now I think results might take on a little importance just to build confidence. Lets imagine we lost the next three games... we'd go into the season on a real downer and would struggle to make a fast start. So I'd be looking to play most of the first team squad for the 90 where fitness allows...

The thing about the present Liverpool side is that there are plenty of youngsters involved anyway. The likes of Spearing, Kelly, Flanagan, Robinson, Shelvey, only broke into the side on a consistent basis last season. That's enough to involve at this stage I think. The likes of Ayala, Wisdom, Coady are unlikely to be involved at all this season so would benefit just as much from getting more match time with the reserve squad or even going out on loan.

I imagine we'll take the cup competitions more seriously this year and what the teams above indicate is that we can mix and match fringe players to freshen things up without relying on too many inexperienced youngsters as we did last year. Of course it's nice to have one or two involved... but no more than that otherwise the consequences (usually a defeat) could do more harm than good.