Liverpool Friendlies

vs. Wisla Krakow

The game-by-game coverage of Liverpool's pre-season continue's.

After the what were basically fitness exercises, the first two victory's versus Tranmere Rovers and FC Lucerne, now the tests really begin - each game a gradual progression to getting as close to a proper match as possible come the final Lazio match. The Polish champions will be a more evenly balanced encounter for sure.

Expect fewer youngsters and more established players - if the Spaniard's are still away on holiday.


--------------------------------- Cavalieri ---------------------------------

------ Degen ------- Carragher ---------- Agger --------- Aurelio -----

-------------------------------- Mascherano ------------------------------

-------- Kuyt ------------------- Gerrard ---------------- Babel ---------

----------------------- Voronin ---------- Benayoun ---------------------



Cavalieri and Degen need as much time as possible with the new team, to get adjusted. I'd rather Carragher and Agger at the back to provide some form of familiarity to the pair who played against Lucerne (as well those two will likely be the centre-backs for the new season).

Mascherano and Gerrard i expect to start, especially after Gerrard didn't come on in midweek. Babel will probably play as many times as possible if he's going to the Olympics. If Rafa has intentions of selling Voronin i wouldn't be surprised to see him played again to try and gain interest in him/raise his fee. Benayoun i'd like to see in a more central role, off the striker.

Might be a little strong a side, i'm not sure. Pure guesswork at this point.

The match is live on Channel 5, 17:00 Kick-Off.

And with that...



It's a good thing in a way - it'll give Lucas another opportunity in his favoured position.

1-1 FT.

Not a great game - a difficult match against a side awaiting the imminent start of their campaign and a lot higher in fitness.

Well, a great start, Benayoun made a great pass into the box to Voronin for him to shoot, then score the rebound. Annoyingly, like against Lucerne, the reply was not far away. It came down our left, Dossena's side, and to be honest he was caught out of position and failed to "bust a gut" as the commentator put it - but the scenario is totally different from a real match. In a real match a player would give everything to get back, but a friendly is different.

Dossena didn't start great to be honest, we were stretched down that side a lot. And in the whole first half we struggled. Plessis and Lucas failed to really get a hold of the game, and it culminated in few attacking chances. Voronin should have put us ahead mind after a defensive mistake by Wisla, but his tame shot was touched past the post. They should have been 2-1 up after a headed goal was disallowed for being offside, when it was clearly onside. Leto was frustrating, such good ball skills and such poor end product. At least that is something that can be teached, and learnt through experience. Darby was one shining light in the half - i was a bit [beep!] off that Pat Nevin in the studio looked at clips at Dossena, then looked at one instance of Darby missing a header and concluded "there looks to be a problem down the flanks" or something like that, when Darby was clearly our best player. He's been good in all the friendlies.

The second-half saw a bit of a shift in balance, with us coming into it much more. Aurelio came on for Leto, as i said he should just before half-time to give Dossena more cover, and that seemed to prompt a better performance from Dossena. Nothing terrific, but more solid - he made a good run forward into the penalty area, if offside, and made a brilliant cross-field pass to pick out Voronin. Hopefully a sign of his attacking capabilities. To be honest, Aurelio performed better though - he was getting up the wing and causing problems, and his delivery was good too (nearly resulting in an OG at one point). It made me think that perhaps, as it's something we seriously lack, he could be considered a very real option for left-midfield, if we were to play 4-4-2 at any point. He in midfield with Dossena looking to compliment him offensively could be a fine combination. Mascherano's introduction undoubtably was the factor with us gaining more of the ball, he was roaming around the pitch like it was a competitive knockout match, which was good to see. Great to see Kuyt come on later, to a rapturous reception (i assume it has something to do with the Euro's, being in Switzerland and all). Most of our (few) chances came to him, one a sharp touch around the defender and strike towards the 'keeper, another a tame strike while he was wrong-footed by the pass. A shame we, and more importantly Kuyt (who i'm desperate to have a good start to the season), couldn't find another goal.

Not much you can read into pre-season friendlies, just yet anyway, but it was a valuable 90 minutes against a side at much higher fitness levels. Roll on Hertha Berlin.

Had a stroke of economical genius - using one thread for all the friendlies.


vs. Hertha Berlin

Our training camp in Switzerland is curtailed with a tough fixture against Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin (Setanta 2, Tue, 19:45 KO).

As for the line-up, i was intrigued by the Dossena, Aurelio link-up on the left-hand-side and would like very much to see that explored again. I think it also helped Dossena to settle, having someone more solid in front of him.

Cavalieri should be in goal definitely, more games the better, and i've been impressed by Darby so far this pre-season. With Degen still nursing an injury it would be nice to see Darby in the side - one of the English players who looks like there's a bit of hope for him. Another match for Lucas will do him a lot of good, hopefully with the protection of Mascherano now instead of Plessis. I'd like Pacheco to start but i don't think it's so likely. I'd love to see Skrtel and Agger paired together, but i feel Rafa may be looking to settle Carragher and Agger together for the coming campaign.


---------------------- Cavalieri -----------------------

--- Darby --- Carragher --- Agger ---- Dossena --

--- Babel -- Mascherano --- Lucas ---- Aurelio ----

----------------------------- Benayoun ---------------
----------------- Kuyt ---------------------------------

I'd personally like to see Benayoun deployed in a more central role, off Kuyt, as i think that's what he does best. I'd also like to see Babel tried more and more on the right side as if we bring Keane in i think he'll be on the left and Kuyt and Babel could be left to fight it out for the other side.

Sorry, kick off is 18:45 not 19:45.

Just want to let you know, you aren't the only one reading this stuff. Keep it up.

I agree with most of this Ben. Regarding lucas, it is obvious he will play. It will be good for him to have someone more established next to him so he can concentrate more on his own game, and hopefully impress going forward. I am still not convinved. I am not using friendlies as a basis for this but i just do not see any part of his game that sticks out. Will his inclusion in a Liverpool team give us an advnatage over rival opposition? I doubt it some how. He is young hopefully he will improve, but i do not see stand out attributes from him.

I am really happy with how Darby is playing. Be nice to have a good English full back get a chance in the first team. e good to see how he performs against opposition that is gradually improving every match. I am sure it is doing his confidence a world of good. Hope he puts in a good performance tonight.

Just seen the team.

Lucas OUT - PLASSIS AND MASCHERANO IN MIDDLE - I think it will be a mistake playing two central defensive midfielders. To deep, which will probably result in not enough movement. But oh well.

UP FRONT - VORONIN AND PACHECO

EDIT: I would just like to comment on how bad the commentary is!!!! Dean Saunders is hopeless!! I have not agreed with one thing he has said! Moron!!

thank god that is over!!! im off to be entertained further by watching some Dean Saunders interviews for his expert knowledge on the game!!!

"one thing i have learnt tonight is that voronin really wants to stay at Liverpool. He's not being succesful but he is really trying" OH MY GOD!!

"Someone has to tell Voronin that if you are going to stay at Liverpool he needs to score goals. He needs to score 20 goals a season, or your off. Someone needs to tell him!" - I think he knows that deano!!

It is like he has not watched the game in his life!! Biggest moment of the game, probably the penalty miss by Triple H, poor lad! Thought he did ok in the second half.

Ah.

I didn't watch the match live as it was on Setanta 2, which i can't get for some reason (Setanta on Freeview gives you just the one main channel ), but i knew it was being replayed today on Setanta 1 at 13:00. I even went to great (sort of) lengths to avoid the score. And my was it worth it.

I don't think i'm even going to comment on it, it was so lacking in any action. I think our only shot on target was the penalty save. The two defensive midfielders completely killed us going forward.

What i will say though, is that my theory is thus - Mascherano and Lucas will be bidding farewell in August to go to the Olympics, which leaves us with Gerrard and one of Alonso or Barry most likely; hence i've a strong suspicion that Benitez is lining Plessis up to be heavily involved whilst the duo are absent. As it is we wouldn't have a holding midfielder as such, and not even the numbers to play 4-2-3-1.

That's the only reason i can think as to why Lucas was not played in favour of Plessis.

vs. Villareal

Wed, 30 July, KO 20:30

SKY


Two wins and two draws, from Birkenhead to Switzerland - the basic's of fitness have ended and now is where the team must begin to get progressively closer to match status. With another strong test in Spain against Villareal, we'll hope to achieve that.

And good news is that the Spanish players returned from their holiday's on Friday and you would imagine should play some role in this match with only 4 remaining pre-season friendlies - particularly Pepe, who this friendly is essentially centred around. If Arbeloa takes part it will be a good indication of whether he is going to stay or not, after recent rumours, and likewise if Finnan were to start after being uninvolved throughout our entire pre-season. And also the same with the Xabi saga; if he plays it may indicate Benitez has resigned himself to keeping him. Torres i expect perhaps from the bench.

Interestingly, i did read Gary Ablett say before the reserve's friendly against Stockport that he didn't use Nemeth as he had a slight injury and didn't want him to be risked in case Benitez wanted to use him for the senior team tomorrow. So he could be in the frame. I'd expect it as well, as he's missed out on the opportunity that the likes of Spearing, Pacheco, Darby, Insua, Leto etc. have had in being able to play with the senior players as he was with Hungary in the U-19 Euro Championships. I'd love to see him involved.

I expect some of the other youngsters may not be with us for much longer, although Plessis i reckon could be. He i think may be in contention to fill Mascherano's boots when he goes to the Olympics.

Incidentally, i wonder when Lucas, Masche and Babel all depart to meet up with their Olympic teams. It must be near, which would obviously rule them out of any friendly.

Other than that, i'd just like to see Degen and Gerrard back after injuries. And for the match to be a damn sight better than the Hertha Berlin one!

As I said in the transfer thread some of our new signings could get a run out tonigt along with a debut for Nemeth.

ive failed to ever see a remotely exciting Liverpool friendly, now Arsenal know how to play in friendlies, and thats with young kids.

thats quite a fair assesment, neither have I.

I am looking forward to tonights game though!! Be good to see some of our established first team players getting a run out against a team that will offer us some good practise to get prepared for the new season. Be interesting to see if Keane gets a run out.

To be honest, it isn't for the team to go out and entertain anyone. It's about fitness.

Oooh, another 0-0 draw.

We are treated aren't we.

To be honest, couldn't really watch the first-half. The stream was awful and all i caught was the odd very short clip; improved a little in the second-half though. Not really qualified to comment on the match.

Apparently Skrtel and Cavalieri had great half's in the first 45 minutes.

Nemeth seemed quite keen to take his opportunity, much more composed than Pacheco (to be expected) and it would've been nice if the chance Pacheco had had fallen to Nemeth. He may well have taken it.

Good to get a glance of the Spanish players back again.

And Keane and N'Gog (the little i did see of them). Both had chances and could've done better. Can't really tell much from it though.

Let's hope the Rangers match brings GOALS.

I nearly did a Sticky and fell asleep watching this one... Skrtel did do well though, even though it was a friendly he was making some committed tackles... one fierce one in his own area that could have took out the Villareal player if it was timed to perfection. Cavalieri did ok but i felt the commentators were somewhat overpraising him.

I am a bit jealous that every Liverpool friendly seems to be on TV. Sort of glad i missed this one though.

Our friendlies have been quite poor.

I can't see that changing this weekend against Rangers "anti-football" FC.

most of our friendlies are going to be poor as we do exactly what England do in friendlies. Rafa plays an experimental team in the first half and then nearly changes it completely in the second. This proves his priority in pre season is fitness, or using it as a shop window for outgoing transfers. I mean look at Finnan and Nemeth in Spain on Wednesday only playing twenty minutes each. He can not expect to learn much from not playing key players and mix and matching reserve and youth team players with fringe players. I expect more from the next two matches we have coming up, especially our only home match against Lazio. I expect more of a better quality settled team, a team or at least squad of players he expects to be included in the opening fixture against Sunderland. Time for fitness is up. We have got to start gaining momentum against good opposition in preperation for the long season ahead.

I like what Chelsea have been doing. Been playing very strong team, pretty much a first 11 in their pre-season campagne, getting all the players to gel once again together. They may have been playing poor teams but i think it is invaluable as their first team and new signings are all getting to gain understandings once again.