It could solely be pre-season however Liverpool’s three pleasant matches have given Arne Slot a good suggestion of who he might wish to transfer on and who will determine in his future plans.
Three USA tour video games and a behind-closed-doors match in opposition to 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 in opposition to Preston within the League Cup, Harvey Blair had gone off the radar for many supporters as harm hampered his improvement.
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 season.
Blair is primarily a proper winger however can play throughout the entrance three, as evidenced by Slot’s choice to convey him on by means of the center to interchange Diogo Jota in opposition to Man United.
It has been a shock to see him so concerned in pre-season however fairly most likely that is merely a circumstance of getting so few centre-forwards out there to date.
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Liverpool’s different Harvey, Harvey Elliott, nonetheless is, given his relative wealth of expertise at simply 21 years outdated.
Beneath Jurgen Klopp, Elliott often performed as one of many Reds’ box-to-box midfielders. Nevertheless, Slot has a brand new main function for him.
Throughout the friendlies we noticed him deployed as an attacking midfielder – typically the ‘No.10’ – and instructed to remain excessive slightly than get again when the opposition are attacking.
His traits as a inventive participant go well with the function very 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 in opposition to Actual Betis was among the many highlights of pre-season to date.
Approaching for Curtis Jones, who exited with a slight harm situation 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 season from Leicester.
The next match, in opposition to 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 staff this season however he will definitely be concerned in senior coaching often.
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 protected pair of palms in purpose.
Fortunately, he seems to be precisely that.
The Czech goalkeeper performed 45 minutes in opposition to Betis and Man United and regarded assured in each. In opposition to Erik ten Hag’s staff his passing was significantly spectacular, one thing that might be key for Slot’s ‘keepers.
If he spends a 12 months on Merseyside working with new goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte he might effectively be an excellent 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 few weeks to have been successful.
That is right down to no fault of his personal after all – harm has saved him from taking part in in any of Liverpool’s friendlies – however there’s a sense that the left-back must get again to his outdated self shortly.
With final season a combined bag, each by way of performances and availability, Robertson might be hoping to show this season that he can nonetheless attain the heights of earlier years.
Lacking pre-season, nonetheless, isn’t supreme in his pursuit of the shape that noticed him turn 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 among Slot’s favourites.
The Japanese began in opposition to 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 type suited the Japan captain higher.
Just a few weeks in the past, Liverpool rejected an £11.8 million bid for Endo from Marseille however the Reds ‘could possibly be tempted by a better provide’, based on journalist David Lynch.
Rhys Williams – loser
Minutes performed: 0
Certainly that is the summer season Rhys Williams leaves Liverpool!
Whereas that sentence might be backed up with cause it’s also one which has most likely been written in every of the final three summers.
The centre-back regarded set for an excellent mortgage membership final summer season 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 dwelling due to the “emergence of an underlying harm situation.”
This summer season he would have hoped to have been concerned in pre-season with a brand new head coach in place.
As an alternative, 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 in the hunt for first-team soccer.
