It might solely be pre-season however Liverpool’s three pleasant matches have given Arne Slot a good suggestion of who he might need to transfer on and who will determine in his future plans.
Three USA tour video games and a behind-closed-doors match towards Preston is hardly sufficient to guage a participant on – in spite of everything, pre-season is a time for preparation, not producing the ultimate product.
Nevertheless, the time spent on tour and in Kirkby has been extra constructive for some than others and there are undoubtedly gamers who will profit within the early a part of the marketing campaign from having a robust pre-season.
Right here we have a look at seven of Liverpool’s ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ from pre-season – and what it might imply for his or her futures.
Harvey Blair – winner
Minutes performed: 70
Since a shock begin in 2021 towards Preston within the League Cup, Harvey Blair had gone off the radar for many supporters as harm hampered his growth.
Now, although, he’s again and Slot has clearly taken a liking to the 20-year-old, who seemingly moved above Kaide Gordon and Lewis Koumas within the pecking order of Liverpool attackers this summer time.
Blair is primarily a proper winger however can play throughout the entrance three, as evidenced by Slot’s choice to carry him on by the center to interchange Diogo Jota towards Man United.
It has been a shock to see him so concerned in pre-season however fairly in all probability that is merely a circumstance of getting so few centre-forwards obtainable to this point.
Nonetheless, he appears to have taken the chance.
Harvey Elliott – winner
Minutes performed: 200
It’s simple to neglect how younger Liverpool’s different Harvey, Harvey Elliott, nonetheless is, given his relative wealth of expertise at simply 21 years previous.
Below Jurgen Klopp, Elliott often performed as one of many Reds’ box-to-box midfielders. Nevertheless, Slot has a brand new main function for him.
Through the friendlies we noticed him deployed as an attacking midfielder – typically the ‘No.10’ – and informed to remain excessive quite than get again when the opposition are attacking.
His traits as a inventive participant go well with the function rather well and he managed two assists in three video games over within the USA.
Trey Nyoni – winner
Minutes performed: 118
For individuals who have been awake to look at, Trey Nyoni‘s efficiency towards Actual Betis was among the many highlights of pre-season to this point.
Approaching for Curtis Jones, who exited with a slight harm concern within the thirty first minute, Nyoni instantly set about controlling issues in midfield.
The benefit at which he dribbled previous opponents and fed the Reds’ forwards was superb to see from the 17-year-old, who solely joined the membership final summer time from Leicester.
The next match, towards Arsenal, noticed him play one other 45 minutes, greater than most of his academy counterparts. In opposition to Man United, he then performed one other half an hour.
We might not see a lot of Nyoni on the pitch for the primary workforce this season however he will definitely be concerned in senior coaching repeatedly.
Vitezslav Jaros – winner
Minutes performed: 90
Coming off the again of a profitable mortgage spell at Sturm Graz, Liverpool followers hoped Vitezslav Jaros could be a secure pair of palms in objective.
Fortunately, he seems to be precisely that.
The Czech goalkeeper performed 45 minutes towards Betis and Man United and seemed assured in each. In opposition to Erik ten Hag’s workforce his passing was significantly spectacular, one thing that will probably be key for Slot’s ‘keepers.
If he spends a yr on Merseyside working with new goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte he might effectively be possibility for Liverpool as a second-choice ‘keeper ought to Caoimhin Kelleher transfer on.
Andy Robertson – loser
Minutes performed: 0
Maybe it sounds harsh to label Andy Robertson as a ‘loser’ this pre-season however you definitely can’t deem the previous couple of weeks to have been a hit.
That is all the way down to no fault of his personal after all – harm has saved him from enjoying in any of Liverpool’s friendlies – however there’s a sense that the left-back must get again to his previous self rapidly.
With final season a blended bag, each when it comes to performances and availability, Robertson will probably be hoping to show this season that he can nonetheless attain the heights of earlier years.
Lacking pre-season, nevertheless, isn’t ideally suited in his pursuit of the shape that noticed him develop into one of many world’s most dependable full-backs.
Wataru Endo – loser
Minutes performed: 115
Over the course of Liverpool’s pre-season tour it turned more and more clear that Wataru Endo isn’t one in all Slot’s favourites.
The Japanese began towards Betis however a dismal displaying resulted in him coming off at half time and being dropped to the bench for the Reds’ subsequent matches.
Each Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch began video games as Liverpool’s deepest-lying midfielder, whereas Endo was consigned to second-half cameos.
Endo might nonetheless show helpful to Slot this season however it’s clear that Klopp’s fashion suited the Japan captain higher.
A couple of weeks in the past, Liverpool rejected an £11.8 million bid for Endo from Marseille however the Reds ‘might be tempted by a better provide’, in keeping with journalist David Lynch.
Rhys Williams – loser
Minutes performed: 0
Absolutely that is the summer time Rhys Williams leaves Liverpool!
Whereas that sentence could be backed up with cause it is usually one which has in all probability been written in every of the final three summers.
The centre-back seemed set for mortgage membership final summer time in Aberdeen however his time there didn’t go to plan as he didn’t make a single look.
After Christmas he departed Merseyside once more, solely to final simply 16 days at Port Vale earlier than returning residence because of the “emergence of an underlying harm concern.”
This summer time he would have hoped to have been concerned in pre-season with a brand new head coach in place.
As a substitute, although, he has been consigned to the under-21s and never utilized by Slot.
The 23-year-old nonetheless has two years left on his contract however will certainly be wanting to maneuver on looking for first-team soccer.
