Why the fuss over Liverpool’s pre-season?

With the new season coming closer into view, Brendan Rodgers’ management of the Liverpool’s pre-season program has come in for criticism from fans and ex “Legends” alike for the impliedly poor standard of opposition. Frankly, if history is anything to go by, I think the manager is going about things in exactly the right way. 

I think its worth pointing out that Rodgers in all likelihood doesn’t pick the destination for the pre-season tours. I’d even go so far as to say he probably doesn’t even pick the opposition. After all, seeing as the off-season tours undertaken by many clubs these days are little more than a commercial exercise than anything else. The opportunity to work on fitness, tactics and team selection, is fit conveniently alongside the wider objective of increasing the awareness of the Liverpool FC brand and boosting merchandise sales. Brendan Rodgers is no more a commercial wizard than I am Clint Eastwood. 

Liverpool FC blog This is Anfield has a piece today from Karl Matchett where the point is made about many of the fringe player such as Lazar Marković, Joe Allen and Kolo Toure having not had much of a look-in during the games. What I’d say in Rodgers’ defence however, is that those guys are fringe players and as such, aren’t going to give him anything new to think about. Perhaps Adam Lallana would be an exception as his season was blighted by injury and a loss of form to a great extent so it’s justified that he’s given a clear run. One could argue the same for Marković also but he isn’t in any way intended to be a first team regular for now. What would the manager learn from playing Toure or Allen for 90 minutes? Not a great deal I’d bet. What benefit would stiffer opposition really have brought?

This as we all know is pre-season. Repeat, pre-season. We hear all the time how “… it’s only… pre-season”, so what else are we expecting from the opposition? I saw Real Madrid beat Inter Milan 0-2 on the telly yesterday. A rather casual affair it must be said. There was the odd robust-ish challenge, but this was certainly nothing like we’re going to see from either team on a Saturday in November. Cristiano Ronaldo was not his usual moaning, beligerant and diving self. Even raising a smile, laughing and joking. None of the players were giving it 100%, blood and thunder. No “… eat lightening and crap thunder” as Rocky’s trainer Micky used to say. The last thing anyone on that pitch wanted was to get an injury and miss the start of the season. Thus we were treated to what I’d describe – generously as 80% effort. 

Last years pre-season saw Liverpool face AC Milan, Manchesters City and United, and Borussia Dortmond among other illustrious opposition. They then went on to have a disastrous season which ended in a 1-6 defeat to a team that finished in 14th place. The season before that, Liverpool played such illustrious opposition as an Indonesian XI, Melbourne, Thai XI and Preston North End. They went on to finish 2nd. The fact is, pre-season really isn’t a barometer. If we go on past experience then Liverpool should be champions in 2015/16. 

The fact is, the most important thing about pre-season is the players you go into it with. Last year, Liverpool went into it with a very poor squad. This year, the squad is much stronger. For all the lack of confidence in Rodgers, that fact is indisputable. Take your pick. Marcović or Roberto Firmino? Javi Manquillo or Nathaniel Clyne? Fabio Borini or Danny Ings? Well… Other than the last two you get my point. This lends me to the conclusion that it makes no difference if you play Real Madrid or Real Madrass. The point is, how your intended team and/or formation structure looks. 

At the same time, get fit. Throw a few of the fringe players in and see how they may or may not have progressed. How’s heir fitness comes along. How they adapt to your new tactical ideas. This, and only this is what pre-season is all about. I don’t agree with Mark Lawrenson’s assertion in the Mirror that Liverpool won’t be prepared to face Stoke on account of the close season opposition. He’d soon have something to say if James Milner and Firmino fall victim to a few robust challenges from an Arsenal (for example) player with a score to settle. 

I too, share the same reservations about Rodgers, the new comers – as promising as they may seem and the new back room staff – as promising as they may seem. Liverpool Football Club needed a change in direction. I agree with that much. This happens and Rodgers should be commended in his courage to bring that about for fortune favors the brave. They say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. The team may have been. The pre-season approach? Well it works for me. 

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