Liverpool continues their pre-season with a trip to Singapore, where they will be facing a revamped Crystal Palace side under Patrick Vieira – who are looking to continue their skywards trajectory in the Premier League next season.
Jurgen Klopp’s men must not be having easy nights since a couple of nights, when their bitter rivals Manchester United beat them 4-0 at the Rajamangala Stadium. Although, it was just a friendly and none of it matters on paper, but in reality, you just ‘want’ to beat your rivals in any game. And sadly on that occasion, it was the Manchester Club that got away with the dub.
Now as the new season draws closer, The Redmen get ready to play their second preseason game on Friday against their Premier League opponents in Palace. Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira’s men will be standing in their 3rd friendly game of the preseason. Having already played twice before- drawing with Accrington Stanley before beating Millwall, Vieira’s side is looking all boosted up with the new additions.
WHEN & WHERE?
Venue – Singapore National Stadium.
Day & Date – Friday, 15th July 2022.
Time – 13:35 BST.
PREVIEW
Liverpool have gone all guns blazing in this summer window. To maintain their rivalry intact with Manchester City, for the Premier League Silverware, the Reds have gone in and bought United’s transfer target Nunez, and their winter target Calvin Ramsay. Yes! Sir Alex Ferguson asked United to keep tabs on the Scottish wonderboy and Aberdeen’s Prodigy – Calvin Ramsay. But it seems as if they did not consider his advice, and now Liverpool have signed the player.
Another noticeable signing is of the young Portuguese midfielder, Fabio Carvalho, from Fulham. Despite losing Origi and Sadio Mane, to Milan and Bayern respectively, it looks as if the Reds have done good business and have compensated for the losses. But it is still too early to call a winner or a loser for the season, and that is why the pre-season game tomorrow could give us a good look ahead as to what could be expected from these two sides.
Specifically, the game tomorrow could give us a quick glimpse as to how the Eagles have been taking on the challenge for the next season. With all due respect to Accrington Stanley and Millwall, Liverpool are without any doubt one of the top teams in Europe. And even though they had a dry game against United, given the youth team that started, still they were able to produce a moment of magic, here and there.
So, Patrick Vieira’s theory and tactics will be tested on Friday and for good! A squad run-in against such an opponent, in the preseason, would only help the coaching staff really get to know the strengths of their players. Then, they can work together on the weaknesses, and build the whole game around the strengths. Before we know it, a remedy “to do well in the top-tier league” is created.
However, the summer signings of Palace so far, indicate as if they are not settled with mid-table security like last season- when they finished 12th in the Premier League standings, even after sacking Roy Hodgson. The 3 deals in the name of Cheick Doucoure, Sam Johnstone and Malcolm Ebiowei are already looking to boil Selhurst Park.
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool will be continuing with the 37-man squad that they named for the tour. The list contains all new signings, and we also got to see two of them getting game time with their new teammates in the new jerseys against the Red Devils – Fabio Carvalho and Darwin Nunez.
It is looking imminent that Nunez might start the game on Friday, as he got his first 30 mins in the bank. Otherwise, The Reds have a few players who are on their own redemption trail in this pre-season. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the one who would look to give his all on the team’s Thailand tour. And the Ox looked sharp in the minutes that he played in against United.
So, it will be interesting to see how Klopp decides the line-up as the German would surely want to give everyone a chance before the main season gets underway in August.
On the other hand, Viera and his squad are running in short supply of the first team players because of fitness and visa issues. Guehi, Zaha, Eze, Olise, Benteke, Hughes, and Kouyate are the players unable to make their trip to Singapore.
While this could prove to be a pivotal point in tomorrow’s game, Vieira could take some joy in the fact that he might be able to see some of the club’s academy graduates on the pitch against Liverpool, sweating and giving their all. It is always a pleasure to watch the young kids/academy graduates thriving to be in the first team squad- and in the process watching them play to their fullest.
And it seems as if the former Arsenal-man will be putting a line-up consisting of a blend of experienced and young players, for a good overall exposure.
