Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool took on Leicester City on their first day of pre-season in Singapore, Kallang where the Reds from Merseyside ended blowing away Enzo Maresca’s Foxes where Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota were joined by Bobby Clark and Ben Doak onto the scoresheet.
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A game that started well from both ends with an early save from the Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, before three goals were scored within a span of eight minutes. With a rotated squad that Liverpool fielded in the later half the game became one-sided with Ben Doak putting the fourth one.
Even though the defence for Liverpool looked shaky in the first 20-25 minutes of the game, the midfield finally seems to be in unison. The forward link-up play also provided the Reds with lots of chances, some of which they capitalized well.
Leicester boss Enzo Maresca realised that they have a lot of work to do with converting their chances before their Championship opener against Coventry on Sunday.
We take a look at few of the things that we spotted in Liverpool’s opening game in Thailand vs Leicester City:
a pressing winger:
For the whole ninety, you could say Liverpool got the upper hand by their intense pressing. Suffocating Leicester into dominating them, and that was the case from the get go. When the Leicester keeper was playing out from the back, a Liverpool winger pressing into forcing a pass to the other centre-back while blocking and shadowing centrally into making sure no angles are open to explore.
This could work massively going into the season for Liverpool, especially if they find that congruency to support the onloading press from their midfield. Losing Fabinho and Henderson means you need to make sure the incomings understand the pattern of when to push the paddle. But the signs are really positive, and this is something to keep and eye on as we build up the season.
That being said, the Liverpool defence looked susceptible to long balls over the top if the front line doesn’t do their pressing job.
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the inverting Trent…
Even though Trent started the match as a traditional right back he was seen shifting to the middle of the pitch and delivering dangerous balls into the box from time to time. Probably something we would see more of in the upcoming season even though his distribution was excellent at times he was getting caught off guard something that he still needs to add to his arsenal. Inverting into that role has given Liverpool some impending benefits offensively, and that is something that showed against Leicester as well.
Alexis ballin’ in the middle of the park
Alexis Mac Allister 🇦🇷 Vs Leicester, what a player. 🪄
📊 – @SawkurGod #LFC pic.twitter.com/1crmrfBSdl
— – (@JoshLFC1909) July 31, 2023
A proper dictating performance in the middle of the pitch, something that Liverpool has lacked in the last few seasons. The composure on the ball he showed was very impressive so was his passes. Arguably one of the best players on the pitch during the whole match and played a crucial role in the first 2 goals.
Jurgen Klopp loves to work with a Gini-esque players and that is showing with Alexis, he is opening up his angles really well to receive the ball and off-the-ball movements are something that you take notice of as well – making sure you are always an option. He has been doing it all pre-season to be fair, and this should really intrigue the Kops.
finally getting the Darwin we paid for!
With four goals and an assist in his three games of pre season, Nunez seems to be in the right place before the start of the season. The Uruguayan forward was a menacing force every time he got close to the ball. The ruled-out goal was also scored with great composure. The link-up between Mac Allister and Nunez should be something to watch out for.
The next season promises to be one with an aerial menace upfront, and Nunez is all ready to take part in those conversations. He finally seems to be himself, especially with his positioning – to be where the ball is going to land.
Although Klopp said in Leicester post-match interview that he wants defending from the front which Gakpo does better than Nunez.
Jarell Quansah looks top
Coming on in the second half to replace Virgil Van Dijk, Jarell Quansah made a save an excellent tackle in the dying minutes to prevent Patson Daka from scoring Leicester’s first goal. Quansah has impressed Klopp a lot in the pre-season and The German might have big plans for him moving forward. Though very young and a lot to learn the young Englishman played some decent passes under pressure.
Miscellaneous
Mohammed Salah was also very much prominent in the first half where he got 2 assists. Though the second half didn’t add much to the game Ben Doak was impressive with his goal and Cody Gakpo showed his arsenal playing in the “Bobby Firmino “ role. Kostas Tsimikas was also seen moving into the midfield. Dominik Szoboszlai showed his dead ball abilities in setting up the fourth goal and would be a huge trump card for Liverpool next season.
Ibrahima Konate looked the only matter of concern as Leicester were trying to break through in the first minutes of the game. Out of the forwards, Diaz looked a bit rusty but the Colombian would be sure to back being his best before the season starts.
