Topic: Pre Season

[jaffod]

i cant see the logic of giving the likes of poulson and cole so much game time in pre-season, especially when it meant quite a few of our first teamers only had 1 full game before the season started.

You can't see the logic because there is none mate.

[steveeastend]

Can't agree, the whole game was played at a much higher tempo than anything we managed yesterday. Considering we put both of these to the sword a few years ago just fucking depresses me when it's clear they are now streets ahead of us in every department, but that's for another thread I suppose. 

Maybe, but players like Alonso or Ozil aren´t really known for being the fastest guys on the planet. But anyway, the thing is that if you wanna play at this tempo, no matter which way you wanna look at it, you need players being able to handle this tempo. What´s the point if you try to play at full speed and players aren´t able to control their passing and play because of lacking this top quality talent.

Mascherano played center back which says it all about the quality in this Barca team. Remember, only a couple of years ago we beat them both pretty easily. Unbelievable isn´t?

I am depressed too, especially as it looked so promising at some point last year.

[its cold in the stands]

Maybe, but players like Alonso or Ozil aren´t really known for being the fastest guys on the planet. But anyway, the thing is that if you wanna play at this tempo, no matter which way you wanna look at it, you need players being able to handle this tempo. What´s the point if you try to play at full speed and players aren´t able to control their passing and play because of lacking this top quality talent.

Mascherano played center back which says it all about the quality in this Barca team. Remember, only a couple of years ago we beat them both pretty easily. Unbelievable isn´t?

I am depressed too, especially as it looked so promising at some point last year.

to be fair both clubs have moved on since we beat them, for a start madrid spent near 100m quid on just ronaldo and alonso, never mind the others like ozil etc

[steveeastend]

to be fair both clubs have moved on since we beat them, for a start madrid spent near 100m quid on just ronaldo and alonso, never mind the others like ozil etc

You are right, just saying...

But we did spend a little bit of something this summer as well... on Adam, Henderson, Downing, Carroll and Enrique. How many of them are top quality who could perform in games like that? None. Sorry.

[its cold in the stands]

You are right, just saying...

But we did spend a little bit of something this summer as well... on Adam, Henderson, Downing, Carroll and Enrique. How many of them are top quality who could perform in games like that? None. Sorry.

who would have thought a team who bought a center mid from middlesborough and a striker from chester would dominate europe at a time when barcelona were breaking world records buying players like maradona.
dont write us off before we`ve even got started.

[steveeastend]

who would have thought a team who bought a center mid from middlesborough and a striker from chester would dominate europe at a time when barcelona were breaking world records buying players like maradona.
dont write us off before we`ve even got started.

I really do hope you are right mate

[its cold in the stands]

I really do hope you are right mate

well we also beat barcelona in 1976 (at their ground) when their star player was another world record signing - johann cruyff, our star player cost buttons and we got him from scunthorpe.
dont write this club off mate, it`s the greatest club on the face of this planet.

[steveeastend]

dont write this club off mate, it`s the greatest club on the face of this planet.

That´s for sure!

[jdpapa3]

Let's look at it:

1. Gerrard - injury lingering from last season
2. Johnson - picked up a hammy injury
3. Lucas - Copa America and played 45 minutes of preseason action
4. Adam - played 60+ for Scotland in midweek and 60+ for us the Saturday before
5. Suarez - Copa America
6. Enrique - arrived about 2 days ago
7. Meireles - played 45 minutes of preseason action and played 45 minutes for Portugal
8. Agger - played 60 in an international game and played 70+ the Saturday before
9. Skrtel - injured

That's basically the spine of our team and all quality players and not fully fit for reasons outside of Kenny's control for the most part. He had to play guys like Lucas and Suarez even if they were going to taper off because the alternatives of N'Gog and Spearing just aren't good enough. The other guys like Downing, Carroll, and Carragher, who got ample rest and preseason action, looked to be our best players on the afternoon for the entirety of the game. I don't exactly think Sunderland had many guys going and winning MVP of the Copa America or playing international ball in midweek. You can make a good argument for Kuyt having been used, but the guy who he will mostly be splitting time with(in Kenny's eyes, position wise) was one of the other fully fit players who got a good run out in preseason in Henderson.

[jckliew]

who would have thought a team who bought a center mid from middlesborough and a striker from chester would dominate europe at a time when barcelona were breaking world records buying players like maradona.
dont write us off before we`ve even got started.

Legends are made of these.

But then again, legends are few and far.............. 

[Z e u s]

When do the players return for pre season?

I'm guessing the 9th of July?

[Upinsmoke]

When do the players return for pre season?

I'm guessing the 9th of July?

How many I want to know. Surely the lads at the euro's will still be on holiday, then you've got Suarez, Coates etc at the Olympics.

[Z e u s]

How many I want to know. Surely the lads at the euro's will still be on holiday, then you've got Suarez, Coates etc at the Olympics.

I would guess - Jones, Enrique, Maxi, Spearing, Wilson, Carragher, Adam (if fit?!), Suso (or is he with Spain under 21s?), Sterling, Doni, Shelvey, Coady, Skrtel, Eccleston (unless he has been released?), Flanagan, Bellamy (Olympics?), Gulasci, Wisdom, Robinson, Aquilani, Cole, Pacheco, Morgan, Nggo, Teixeira, Silva, Sama, Adorjan... and other academy lads.

[CraigDS]

I think Lucas tweeted something about coming back this week some time, although he will obviously be back early so can be assessed and carry on with his rehabilitation - but should mean the others who weren't on international duty should be back 7-10 days after given the pre-season starts in 24 days.

[richiedouglas]

How many I want to know. Surely the lads at the euro's will still be on holiday, then you've got Suarez, Coates etc at the Olympics.

We don't have to release Suarez (we do Coates) and I wonder whether we'll keep him for the Europa qualifiers

[Z e u s]

I think Lucas tweeted something about coming back this week some time, although he will obviously be back early so can be assessed and carry on with his rehabilitation - but should mean the others who weren't on international duty should be back 7-10 days after given the pre-season starts in 24 days.

How could I forget Lucas in my list!

I feel ashamed, I have let myself down!

[DG]

How could I forget Lucas in my list!

I feel ashamed, I have let myself down!

Indeed. I have dreamt of his comeback three times now. He has always been amazing.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Our pre season in recent years has been the stuff of legends.

[lorenzo23]

Our pre season in recent years has been the stuff of legends.

Thats putting it kindly although some would lead you to believe pre season is useless.

[SteLFC91]

Henoc Mukendi told me on twitter that they're back on July 5th. Not sure if that's just the reserve team though. Can't wait for our pre-season friendlies to start!

[Andy @ Allerton!]

What date is our first Europa League qualifying game? Must be in July no?

[DG]

Think it's the 26th of July with the replay on 2nd of August.

[McGarnagle]

What date is our first Europa League qualifying game? Must be in July no?

2nd August

[hitman89762000]

Bit gutted theres no pre season game at anfield..

[Z e u s]

Edit.

Was looking at last years dates.

[kriss]

It is the 4th of August isn't it?

No. The 4th of August is a Saturday. The early Europa League matches are played on Thursdays :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_UEFA_Europa_League#Round_and_draw_dates

[CraigDS]

Second legs of the 2nd qualy round are on the 26th July so the 3rd round ties will be in August somewhere near the start. Plus we're in USA on 28th July so def not before then!

[CraigDS]

Bit gutted theres no pre season game at anfield..

Bit surprised isn't anything to be honest, may well still be something yet. Although with the Europa league starting so early for us they may of decided not to bother.

[andymanlfc]

Think this years Pre-season will be more beneficial than last years, with a new system coming into play. Can't wait to see us in action again.

[john_mac]

Bit gutted theres no pre season game at anfield..

isn't there? let's see

[john_mac]

Think this years Pre-season will be more beneficial than last years, with a new system coming into play. Can't wait to see us in action again.

Be the same as any other year, preparing for the season, rustiness out the legs, bit of bonding. Far too much emphasis put on results in preseason these days, was better when we had a couple of dozen in Leverkusen, Fulda or Oslo, no television coverage and all the daft footy manager types had nothing to analyse.

[jimmyjr86]

Looking forward to this. Be good seeing some of the young lads getting a chance.

[hitman89762000]

Just read on twitter bayer leverkusen ( with big sami) are coming to anfield fr a pre season friendly

[Gifted Right Foot]

Just read on twitter bayer leverkusen ( with big sami) are coming to anfield fr a pre season friendly

nice one

[Noelle]

Just read on twitter bayer leverkusen ( with big sami) are coming to anfield fr a pre season friendly

Would be great if true. Hope it's before we leave for North America though. Schedule is already slightly packed for August thanks to our super early start in the Europa League, even more so if we advance (and we should)

[john_mac]

Just read on twitter bayer leverkusen ( with big sami) are coming to anfield fr a pre season friendly

Fairly sure that there is a game planned 12th Aug (Charity shield day) not sure of opponents

[El Ninos Black Eye]

Just read on twitter bayer leverkusen ( with big sami) are coming to anfield fr a pre season friendly

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-news/liverpool-fc/2012/06/28/55578-31277916/?

[NorthamptonKopite]

So when's the first training session then?

[mart356]

So when's the first training session then?

probably today, just a meeting yesterday by the sounds of it

[rednile]

So all the USA tour games are live on ESPN , good stuff .