Ok, just caught up with the second-half of last nights mightily impressive win over Arsenal that much needed sleep had me bailing on in the early hours this AM. So, with the usual caveat of it being pre-season, with everything gearing up toward Ipswich, a few observations-
First off, that was much more like a full-on PL game than a friendly kick-around. I said this morning it appeared both sides badly wanted to lay down a marker to show they'll be the main contenders to the cheats this season. Terrific game played at a terrific pace and intensity for the majority. The pace and pressing in that heat was super impressive. (Although Ben White took it a step too far with his snide doing of Carvalho out of play.). All of which was just reward for our American support with every single seat sold out for a record attendance for a game in Philadelphia. With the Reds in attendance outnumbering Arsenal by something like 70/30 through the 69,879 crowd.
MASSIVE kudos to them the impeccable period of silence for the Southport tragedy. You could hear a pin drop in an incredibly poignant tribute with everything being so raw. If Arne and his compatriots didn't realise they'd joined the biggest club on the planet, it will be hitting home now in spades on tour with the ridiculous interest. I was absolutely made up for the American support to not only get to experience something approaching PL level intensity live. But to be privileged to witness a classic Mo Salah goal of the highest order. The PL, not that they ever needed to be with one of the greatest of all time footballers, have again been put on notice that a fully rested Mo, with a full pre-season behind him for the first time in years, has lost none of his pace, as he showed in leaving Zinchenko and Gabriel in his wake. With his finishing as deadly as ever.
After a much stronger Arsenal, naturally as they are entering year 6 of the Arteta project, dominated the first 10 mins as they all know what they are doing and what they are about, L'pool kept playing, were fully in control and ran out fully deserved winners. Just a pity Jota hitting the post among other chances didn't give the score-line a more balanced look than the 2-1 victory. Showing in the process, not that it was in any doubt, that they are every bit Arsenal's equal in being primed to take over from City's dominance. And I loved that the second-half of the game was so different in it's variety to the dominant first. A brilliant display of game management in seeing a game out. Restricting Arsenal to just one chance (Heck of a save from Kelleher BTW), as they took away Arsenal's out ball and left them completely bereft of ideas. Made all the more impressive in so much as it was a virtual U18/U21 side for the last 20. Who never missed a beat and never looked out of place.
Some player shout-outs:
I thought Sepp and Jarell were again superb at CH. Absolutely made up for the former that he's now getting his chance to shine here and show what anyone who's been following his season-on-season development through his time here knows already. That he's well on the path to being another top class, dominant, ball playing CH straight out of the Virgil mould. And the latter was my MOTM. He's just gets better and better. There won't be many nailed on starters in Slot's L'pool as he and his team have a penchant for going with the fittest players over anything on any given match. Rotation will be key. But the CH partnership is nailed down for sure with Quansah partnering the big man. Throw in Sepp and Konate, and that's a ****** strong quartet even with Joel no longer here. Allows you to either bring in another youngster from the outside to develop as a 5th in line. Or push through another of our burgeoning kids into that role. Taking away the need to spend big on a CH this summer to replace Joel.
The combo of Dom and Curtis is developing great too .Like a classic midfield 2 where one sits and one goes. Curtis was quietly very impressive in what he was asked to do before coming off injured the Betis game. And he was super yesterday in keeping everything simple and moving. Not many better players at the football club in keeping possession of the football. And Dominic breaking from a deep playmaker role is a really intriguing prospect. With both doing excellent sitting defensive work which totally frustrated Arsenal down to what, 2 real chances all game? (Kelleher's early laid back play aside giving Jesus chances.). Absolutely no fear at all for them both to be starting the first few games whilst Macca and co get up to speed. And Harvey ahead of them is improving another level as a natural 10. The variety in his two assists were superb. And he should have made more of other great opportunities he placed himself in.
I also found it really intriguing again that Trey was the first off the bench HT ahead of Morton and Stefan. This time showcasing his wares in multiple roles as the personnel dictated from the middle, to being wide, to being up front. Proper interesting the way he's being pushed and the way Slot glows when talking about him. Well ahead of his development curve already like so many of his peers.
Loved the formation changes again. The 4-3-3 was great now we have a genuine forward to lead the line with Diogo the first off that rank. But I liked the solution to no genuine forward 2nd half being more a 4-2-4-0 again with two false 9's/ 10's, and two wide wingers. Different solutions to problems from the way Jurgen solved issues.
Another really enjoyable run-out, with two belter goals of different quality. One a quintessential Klopp/ Salah goal. The other a brilliant pass and move goal that seems likely to become a Slot trademark. All from a friendly that was only that in name only. And a marker set down to Arsenal. Well still having a lot of work and development to get through before Ipswich. Tsimikas getting sent for an Echo by Odegaard for Arsenal's goal a glaring downer. And some of the passing needs tightening up before the opener.
Next up, the continued clown-show down the other end of the East Lancs.
UTR!
FTT!!!!!
