The Match:
In a quick summary.. Liverpool played three separate teams for 30 minutes each in an attempt to give all the travelling squad valuable minutes and Man United played two teams over two halves with United running out 4 nil winners..
Could anyone have predicted that before kick off..? I very much doubt it.. The story of the game though was the fact defensive errors cost us dearly.. We weren't as clinical in attack as United as they finished their chances.
We hit the post numerous times and minus the mistakes it was not really that bad a showing. With all three teams selected being a mix of first team and youth players there were a few spaces at times and lacks of cohesion.. but there were plenty of positives though..
Highlights:
Luis Diaz.. He looked as frightening as ever.. There were periods of some very nice one touch passes with quick releases to our attacking players and Diaz, Carvalho , Elliott plus the impressive Luke Chambers & Isaac Mabaya..
Diaz and Carvalho hitting the post in quick succession in the first period with Luis missing an openish net with a quality air shot.. Elliott looked very sharp with some quick turns and pace to get away from markers.
The second 11 either side of half time didn't create too many chances but a very youthful strike force with Bobby Clarke leading the line seemed to be growing into things before they were all replaced on 60 minutes.
The strongest line up was saved for the final 30 and United really struggled to get out of their half barring their goal. Not surprisingly as it was a young set up for them. We created chances, hit the post again and Nunez missed a pretty good chance to get his first goal for the club.
Summary:
I think one key thing to remember here is that Klopp and his team call these games sessions. They have trained as they always do at a very high intense level. Pre season is all about getting you ready for the first game of the season.. Fulham for the team yet City in the Charity Shield for us fans..
The quality of the squad is just immense. We fielded three extremely strong teams and the youngsters really stood out as they have done on numerous occasions in these kind of games. Their fitness levels are not in question at all which says a lot again for the regular training sessions they have with the first team at The AXA Training Ground.
And finally our big guns so to speak have only just got back from their breaks.. Nunez in particular was blowing hard and has a few weeks to get his levels up, which he will.. Diaz looks to be hitting them heights after starting pre season training early and Carvalho looks A very very exciting prospect..
No one likes losing to their rivals.. To be honest its daft paying them in friendlies. Next up is Crystal Palace.. Another Prem team in a friendly.. Both of which we play in our first three actual Premier League games.. you would expect completely different results when the real business starts..
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