Liverpool’s pre-season will get underway with a conflict towards Man United in Thailand, with Jurgen Klopp acknowledging that his facet “don’t play friendlies” in relation to their north-west rivals!
Liverpool vs. Man United
Pre-Season Pleasant (1) | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Tuesday, July 12, 2022 | 2pm (BST)
The Reds are in Bangkok for his or her first pre-season outing of the summer time as they arrive up towards Erik ten Hag’s facet.
Listed here are 10 issues to know forward of the match.
1. Reds return to motion
A wholesome contingent of Liverpool gamers returned to coaching for the beginning of pre-season final Monday, with sure people given longer breaks than others whereas youth got an opportunity.
As many as 11 gamers returned to the fold later within the week for the journey to Thailand, with Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez amongst them.
By way of pre-season fixtures, United are up first on Tuesday, earlier than a gathering with Crystal Palace in Singapore on Friday.
Then come clashes with Leipzig and Salzburg, adopted by the Group Defend (July 30), and a pleasant with Strasbourg at Anfield (July 31) completes the motion.
2. Heroes’ welcome in Thailand
Liverpool are one of many world’s largest groups, with Klopp making certain they’ve turn into an excellent better drive in recent times.
That was completely highlighted by the hysteria that greeted the Reds after they landed in Thailand over the weekend, as they acquired an unimaginable welcome.
The Beatles would have been proud to match that degree of adoration again within the Sixties!
3. New face awaits first minutes
It has been a productive summer time at Anfield, with Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay becoming a member of the Klopp revolution.
The previous is essentially the most high-profile signing, following a 32-goal season with Benfica, however we’re prone to have to attend to see him in motion having solely linked up with the facet on Saturday.
Whereas Ramsay misses out via harm, Carvalho ought to get his Reds bow after over per week with the group; the 19-year-old is a highly-rated prospect for the current and the longer term.
How Klopp makes use of him shall be attention-grabbing, contemplating he’s able to thriving in midfield, out vast, and as a No. 10.
4. New period at United
Final summer time noticed United thought-about by some as Premier League title challengers, however the sane amongst us knew that that was by no means on the playing cards.
As an alternative, they needed to scrape for a woeful fifth-place end, resulting in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after which Ralf Rangnick transferring on as supervisor.
The Erik ten Hag period is now about to get underway at Outdated Trafford, with the Dutchman identified for taking part in a high-octane type of soccer not dissimilar to Klopp’s.
This would be the first likelihood to see if he has made an early impression and he’ll little question be eager to get a marker towards Klopp’s Reds early on. The 2 sides meet within the league within the third matchday of the brand new season.
5. Who will characteristic for Liverpool?
As is the norm for any pre-season pleasant, this shall be a sport during which two very completely different lineups are fielded in both half.
Whereas beating United is essential in any match, health and rhythm are crucial issues for Klopp to get from his gamers.
Those that returned late look extra prone to be handed a couple of minutes within the second half, if any, permitting those that returned final week to get essentially the most minutes.
Klopp has hinted at switching formation to a potential 4-2-3-1 this season, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see if that’s used towards United.
It might enable Roberto Firmino a brand new lease of life as a No. 10, or give Carvalho a chance to thrive there.
As talked about, Ramsay is unavailable, as too Diogo Jota after his hamstring harm with Portugal. Thiago skilled away from his teammates on Monday however he was not anticipated to characteristic this early anyway.
This Is Anfield have chosen two potential lineup choices for Klopp, which you’ll see right here!
6. That is no ‘pleasant’!
Chatting with the press in Bangkok on Sunday, Klopp made it completely clear that Liverpool and United don’t do friendlies:
“Man United – a brand new supervisor, skilled slightly bit longer than us so may be in a greater scenario. However we see it as an essential take a look at as a result of it’s towards United and we don’t play friendlies [against United].
“Clearly each groups don’t play friendlies towards one another, so we’ll see what we are able to do.”
Get some early bragging rights in, lads!
7. Klopp’s cheeky joke
Liverpool have lastly received again on their perch forward of United and Klopp is clearly revelling within the Reds being a better drive presently after the Reds landed in Bangkok to an unimaginable reception.
Once more talking in his press convention, the 55-year-old couldn’t assist however make a joke, asking reporters, “first query I’ve… did it seem like this yesterday when Manchester was right here as properly?”
In all honesty, United’s fanbase in Thailand is large too, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see how break up the stadium is for the match.
8. Did You Know?
That is the primary time Liverpool and United have met in pre-season since 2018, when the pair confronted off in entrance of 100,000 followers in Michigan.
The Reds ran out 4-1 winners throughout the Atlantic, with new signing Xherdan Shaqiri‘s outrageous overhead kick the standout second on a terrific event.
Sadio Mane (penalty), Daniel Sturridge and Sheyi Ojo (additionally a penalty) scored the opposite objectives for Klopp’s males.
Shaqiri could be at it once more towards United later in the identical yr, scoring twice at Anfield in a 3-1 win within the Premier League.
9. Rajamangala Stadium
The Rajamangala Stadium is the scene of Tuesday’s sport, in what is a large event for these inside Thailand’s nationwide enviornment.
A capability crowd of as much as 51,000 is anticipated to absorb the motion, as locals are given the uncommon alternative to see their heroes within the flesh – though, ticket costs have rightly been criticised.
The stadium, which was opened in 1998, has been used for music live shows and political rallies prior to now, to not point out internet hosting the 2007 Asian Cup.
10. Comply with TIA’s reside weblog
Liverpool vs. Man United is accessible to observe on LFCTV GO from 1pm (BST), with kickoff happening at 2pm.
For those who don’t subscribe, or are unable to sneak off from work to observe the sport, This Is Anfield‘s matchday reside weblog shall be in full swing from 1.30pm.
Henry Jackson shall be holding you firm all through the afternoon, returning after a summer time vacation of his personal however not but making an attempt to match Milner’s pre-season testing efficiency!
