It might solely be pre-season however Liverpool’s three pleasant matches have given Arne Slot a good suggestion of who he could need 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.
Nonetheless, 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 powerful pre-season.
Right here we have a look at seven of Liverpool’s ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ from pre-season – and what it may 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 growth.
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 the center to switch Diogo Jota in opposition to Man United.
It has been a shock to see him so concerned in pre-season however fairly in all probability that is merely a circumstance of getting so few centre-forwards obtainable thus far.
Nonetheless, he appears to have taken the chance.
Harvey Elliott – winner
Minutes performed: 200
It’s simple to overlook how younger Liverpool’s different Harvey, Harvey Elliott, nonetheless is, given his relative wealth of expertise at simply 21 years previous.
Beneath Jurgen Klopp, Elliott often performed as one of many Reds’ box-to-box midfielders. Nonetheless, Slot has a brand new major position for him.
Through the friendlies we noticed him deployed as an attacking midfielder – typically the ‘No.10’ – and advised to remain excessive moderately than get again when the opposition are attacking.
His traits as a artistic participant swimsuit the position rather well and he managed two assists in three video games over within the USA.
Trey Nyoni – winner
Minutes performed: 118
For many who have been awake to look at, Trey Nyoni‘s efficiency in opposition to Actual Betis was among the many highlights of pre-season thus far.
Approaching for Curtis Jones, who exited with a slight harm concern within the thirty first minute, Nyoni instantly set about controlling issues in midfield.
The convenience 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. Towards Man United, he then performed one other half an hour.
We could not see a lot of Nyoni on the pitch for the primary staff this season however he will definitely be concerned in senior coaching repeatedly.
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 secure pair of arms in aim.
Fortunately, he seems to be precisely that.
The Czech goalkeeper performed 45 minutes in opposition to Betis and Man United and seemed assured in each. Towards Erik ten Hag’s staff his passing was significantly spectacular, one thing that can be key for Slot’s ‘keepers.
If he spends a 12 months on Merseyside working with new goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte he may nicely be a superb choice 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 couple of weeks to have been a hit.
That is right down to no fault of his personal in fact – harm has stored 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 previous self rapidly.
With final season a combined bag, each when it comes to performances and availability, Robertson can be hoping to show this season that he can nonetheless attain the heights of earlier years.
Lacking pre-season, nonetheless, isn’t preferrred in his pursuit of the shape that noticed him turn out to be 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 certainly one of 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 may nonetheless show helpful to Slot this season however it’s clear that Klopp’s type suited the Japan captain higher.
A number of weeks in the past, Liverpool rejected an £11.8 million bid for Endo from Marseille however the Reds ‘might be tempted by the next supply’, in response to journalist David Lynch.
Rhys Williams – loser
Minutes performed: 0
Absolutely that is the summer season Rhys Williams leaves Liverpool!
Whereas that sentence could be backed up with cause it is usually one which has in all probability been written in every of the final three summers.
The centre-back seemed set for a superb mortgage membership final summer season in Aberdeen however his time there didn’t go to plan as he did not make a single look.
After Christmas he departed Merseyside once more, solely to final simply 16 days at Port Vale earlier than returning residence due to the “emergence of an underlying harm concern.”
This summer season he would have hoped to have been concerned in pre-season with a brand new head coach in place.
As a substitute, 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 looking for first-team soccer.
