LFC New Season Build-Up – AC Milan Post Match
So, with less than two week to go before the 2016/17 Premier League season kicks off, Jürgen Klopp and his revamped Liverpool team registered a win against AC Milan. A welcome return to winning ways after a disappointing loss to Chelsea. A game that at time more resembled an MMA fight rather than a pre-season friendly.
Yesterday’s win was welcome but of course, as Klopp and everybody else in football is keen to remind the viewing public “It’s about fitness, and not the result… Playing time… blah, blah, blah…” They may indeed be right. These games are about fitness, conditioning and increasing tactical awareness ahead of the new campaign.
For me, it’s also as much to do with building a winning mentality, spirit and confidence. Can you imagine the mood in the team and among the fans if Klopp’s ew signings had managed six defeats so far? Indeed, many of the best performances so far have come from the Academy youngsters.
Connor Randall, Sheyi Ojo, Kevin Stewart and Cameron Brannagan have continued to impress. The emergence of Ben Woodburn, Trent Alexander-Arnold, (my personal favourite) Ovie Ejaria only bode well for the future. It’s likely many of these may end up going out on loan. Personally, I’d like to see them retained for cup matches and first team back-up.
The wider Liverpool squad has also been improved. With the departure of fringe players such as Martin Skrtel, Jordon Ibe, Joe Allen, Brad Smith and Jordan Rossiter, we need only to look at the replacements. Loris Karius, Joel Matip, Marko Grujic, Georgina Wijnaldum, Sadio Manè, plus old heads Ragnar Klavan and Alex Manninger are all decent signings. Many of the new players have impressed in the games they’ve played in.
On to last night’s match, or shall I say the game at stupid o’clock Sunday morning. The first thing that struck me was the invention in front of goal. It’s plain to see that Klopp and his coaching staff have been putting a lot of work into this area. The movement of the attackers Philippe Coutinho, Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana (who still can’t cross the ball or shoot for toffee) and Manè, behind Daniel Sturridge was impressive. Between them and the defence, Jordan Henderson, industrious.
The defence, although experimental (to say the least) of James Milner, Klavan, Dejan Lovren (improved version 2.0) and Alexander-Arnold, looked organised and composed. To be fair though, this was not the AC Milan of old with Clarence Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo and others. This current side would struggle in the Championship, let alone the Premier league. Nonetheless, the first half didn’t merit much to write about so I’ll stop there.
The second half saw the introduction of regulars Nathaniel Clyne, Alberto Moreno, Ojo, Randall, Brannagan, Stewart, Divock Origi, Wisdom and Roberto Firmino. Albeit not at half time, but by around 70 minutes, they were all on. As I said, two teams per half. This “second string” though, was far more clinical.
The first goal came from a long pass forward from Moreno into space on the edge of the Milan penalty box, quickly picked up by Origi. A quick feint left, right, then slotted past the despairing ‘keeper on 59 minutes. The Belgian came close twice again after intricate passing on the edge of the opponents’ box, this time his “goal” was chalked off for offside.
The second involved young Ojo, released down the right by Marković. The youngster’s pace to meet the ball was remarkable. His cut inside and shot was blocked with the loose ball falling to Firmino, who slid in at the far post. His chilled, relaxed celebration, summed up this second half.
Overall it was a good performance and another Marković, Ojo, Firmino combination could have yielded another goal. The team played well, kept organised and used the ball well. The 4-1-4-1 structure may well provide some clues as to how the team will turn out in two weeks’ time. Given the apparent embarrassment of riches in midfield and attack – we haven’t seen anything of Christian Benteke who may yet be sold – this formation may be the only way to deploy them all.
Injuries mean we haven’t seen much of Matip just yet, and Joe Gomez is also due to return shortly after the season starts. Provided mischievous Mamadou Sakho hasn’t burnt his bridges it’s clear to see the squad has been improved to good effect.
Dress rehearsals, playing for “fitness” or “minutes” is all well and good. However, the real business end starts on the 14th August against Arsenal. Until then, Liverpool have games against Roma, some team Spanish outfit called Barcelona, and a romantic affair at Klopp’s old club Mainz.
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