Match Day Thread Pre-season

Didn't see the game but heard that Coutinho and Can were the standout players.

I disagree with some that the results don't matter in these friendlies. I'm a firm believer that winning at any level breeds confidence. We did incredibly well in the last pre-season - whether or not that helped us going into the season (when we went onto win the first 3 games) is debatable but I don't think it does any harm.

 

of course results matter in pre season, yes its mainly for fitness and to get match sharp used as the excuse, but you get a run going in pre season and are winning, helps going into season, esp if you have an easy run in or hard one as you are full of confidence, going into either type with no form and its a struggle, even against supposed easier opposition.

 

i do agree with that.

what i'm seeing is a total lack of firepower in each game which suggests mostly the guys who didn'[t go to world cup and the kids basically are not up to it and we are really hoping to f that we get sturridge firing...

I'm hoping that when a front 3 of sturridge, markovic and sterling take to the field we see a big pick up.

no disrespect to ibe as he has set the goals up but also missed what 4/5 golden chances

 

Enrique looked good for the first 30 minutes too, looked a bit tired before he came off at half time, he put in a good shift against Iturbe who tried to run at him a lot.

Can had some nice touches and looked very good driving forward with the ball. Looks like he'll be competing with Hendo for that box to box role.

Coutinho went missing in first half after moving over to the right following Borini's injury but took over the second half after becoming more central again. Woeful long shots though, he needs to either get better or just stop.

Agger gave zero s**ts when he came on. Got beaten several times and didn't even try to get back into position then was at fault for the goal.

 

Pretty awful match. Roma were worse than us too which was annoying. Deserved 0-0.

The corner for their goal came from a pretty awful defensive header from I think Coady - hit it across the box and out instead of away. Those are the margins.

 

could i add those are the margins when you've f all scoring power?

I need to see this but i'm eagerly awaiting the actual forwards player now cos it seems to me we let in lots of silly goals last year but scored more so it got hidden.

struggle for goals like this and leaking is not a good thing.

 

I missed the game.
This article says Kelly and Can were solid and that Ibe was good on the left but not the right.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...ool-fc-0-roma-1-7497080#.U9CvnUoI85Q.facebook

Do you agree?

 

Ibe didn't really get in it at all. Lambert struggled but had a couple of snap shots, and should've scored from a Kelly cross. Not much movement up front but no need to worry yet, we put out a pretty weak side and Roma are very well organised defensively.

 

It will be a lot better when Sturridge, Sterling, Markovic and Lallana come in.

 

Mostly, Kelly was solid, did his job and put in a good cross at the other end. Can was a stand out although needs more time to gel obviously. Ibe was poor all game I thought. Really made no impact.

 

Yeah Kelly and Skrtel were solid at the back

Coates wasn't so much but it was more a case of communication and at least it was both clearing a ball rather neither

 

Exactly. Completely different too. We didn't have much pace or movement last night, that won't be a problem with any combination of those four playing. Really hope Coutinho doesn't lose his place though. I think he can make things happen as long as he's played in midfield.

 

Am I right in thinking Ibe moved to the right side quite early on though?


Its good to hear that Kelly is doing well.

 

Saw the game..
Ford will have a great season this year, the guy had the Roma players tackling fresh air, still needs to improve the final ball and sort his shooting out.
Ibe showed glimpses, not as much as the first two games, but he could be a cracking player, needs to go out on loan and play.
Can, very impressed, tired towards the end but to be expected in that they aren't match fit yet.
Skrtel was solid enough..
The rest won't be regular starters or even here come the start of the season, which is a shame, Lucas looked decent.
Fabio, for 10 or so minutes he was on, didn't really get into the game, agree with what some have said, if we accepted the bid, we should have made it clear he's not part of our plan by not taking him on the US Tour.
Kelly, his time has past him, he really needs to move on if he wants to play, can't see him getting much time with us.
Ricky looked a bit slow and didn't really hold the ball up that great, but alot of that is prob. down to rust and think when likes of Lallana and Gerrard play, he'll have a better understanding with them.
Never been fussed about results in pre-season, apart for Can, Ford, Skrtel and a brief Cameo from Hendo, non of the first teamers played, just get the fitness levels up and bed in the new signings, that's what pre-season is really for IMHO.

 

Yeah think he switched with Coutinho at some point in the first half after Borini went off. Hurt the team for rest of the half as Coutinho was wasted on the wing too.

 

We could field a decent team of players who haven't been in pre-season yet:

------------- Mignolet
Manquillo -- Toure -- Sakho -- Johnson
------- Gerrard ---- Lallana
-- Sterling ------------ Markovic
-------- Remy -- Sturridge

And Lovren in for Toure when confirmed

 

From what I can remember from last night's bore, I learnt very very little about who or how we will play this season. I saw very little from Can to even suggest that he was in Henderson's class - let alone anywhere near ready to cover for Gerrard.

In the 1st half Coutinho appeared to sit deep but it really doesn't suit him at all. But please Brendan, give him far more shooting practice!

Enrique put in a good shift for the 1st 35 mins which was encouraging. Whilst I doubt Coates will figure he looked a far better player even allowing for the fact that it was played at a snail's pace. Kelly still looked knackered before he started! Skerts was the best defender on the pitch. Lambert did well with no support.

Unlike most I thought Ibe was poor.

 

Can is young and new to the team and still showed more power going forward than anyone else. He was only stopped by fouls, which led to a yellow and probably more in a competitive game.

Coutinho was also doing it but in a more beautiful style. It's good to have both options.

 

That's the first pre-season I've seen. The pace was non-existent so I called what I saw. From what I'd read here about Can, I was expecting more and was disappointed in what I saw

 

[video=youtube;QQmwK30Sc6E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQmwK30Sc6E[/video]