Team:
2 Simon Mignolet
4 Kolo Toure
5 Daniel Agger
10 Philippe Coutinho
11 Oussama Assaidi
14 Jordan Henderson
20 Jay Spearing
24 Joe Allen
29 Fabio Borini
38 Jon Flanagan
44 Jordan Ibe
Subs: 2 Glen Johnson; 6 Luis Alberto; 9 Iago Aspas; Daniel Pacheco; 19 Stewart Downing; 21 Lucas Leiva; 31 Raheem Sterling; 34 Martin Kelly; 37 Martin Skrtel; 47 Andre Wisdom; 49 Jack Robinson; 52 Danny Ward
New boys Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure made their debut's in the friendly against North West neighbours in celebration of what would've been Bill Shankly's 100th birthday. The legendary manager served both clubs with distinction and in recognition the Shankly Shield was played for his on honour.
Jon Flanagan and Joe Allen returned from knee and shoulder injuries respectively.
The other new boys Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas started on the bench with Daniel Agger in the absence of Steven Gerrard and the retired Jamie Carragher captain for the day. Rodgers also used the match as a shop window for players moving towards the exit door, with Assaidi and Spearing (starting at right-back) and Daniel Pacheco also coming on in the second-half. Martin Kelly, out for most of last season, was given a 10 minute blow out toward the end of the game.
The possession game, Rodgers trademark was evident from the start and on a very hot day was obviously energy saving. The first goal game resulted from Liverpool pressure on the edge of the Preston area, with ex-LFC youth graduate John Welsh uncharacteristicly caught on the ball, before bringing down Coutinho, who dispatched the penalty with the ease one would expect.
Fabio Borini should have made it two after Flanagan strode majestically out of defence to intercept a Preston attack, before taking on Coutinho's return pass and releasing Borini for a one on one, which he inexplicably slipped outside the near post. Liverpool didn't have to wait long to extend their lead when the impressive Jordan Ibe coming in from the left, bought himself a yard of space before dispatching his shot inside the near post. Assaidi, almost followed up, working some space for himself in the area, before seeing his shot well saved.
The second half saw Rodgers make ten outfield changes barring Kelly from the bench. Excellent to see Lucas back for his first pre-season in two years following his first serious knee injury. The game moved into a sedate pace even with a new set of outfield players, although Raheem Sterling looked decidely sharp.
With Liverpool controlling the game, a hopeful defensive hack upfield found its way to Sterling, who on the turn flicked inside to Aspas, who returned the compliment sending the winger through to show a calm authority in rounding the keeper to slide home. Aspas, fed by Johnson, drove in an angled shot from the left side for his first goal in a red shirt to make it four.
In Ibe and Sterling, Liverpool have two youngsters of prodigious talent. Both are direct and pacey and have an eye for goal, possessing terrific work ethic. They illuminated both halfs commiting defenders at will and linking up with Coutinho and Aspas respectively. Iago Aspas showed tremendous touches and awareness and an eye for goal and should be an asset for the team going forward. Luis Alberto ghosted into some great positions and just failed to apply the required finshed.
Daniel Pacheco, he of the prodigious talent, showed flashes of just why his talent has always been so highly rated and seeing this gifted individual once again in a red shirt, one can only hope he finally makes it at the top level in any first team, if not at Anfield.
It was a nice ice breaker to the season, comfortably winning the Shankly Shield. If one has any apprehension, it is that Rodgers still has a lack of physical prowess and height within the squad and we can only hope that the transfers that he and Ian Ayre say they are still to make will alleviate that glearing absence.
Rodgers speaking to leaving to LFCTV said, "The players have been back for 11 days now and I thought their work-rate, quality and intensity in the game was very good so I'm very pleased," he told LFCTV. "Mignolet was very confident and very composed. He had a great day today. Everything he did, he did it well. And he's already integrated really well and I thought he was solid.
"Touré is a very experienced professional. He's been around for a long time and he's a wonderful player. He's got great experience and he defends really well. Then in the second half I thought the two boys did really well.
"Alberto fits into the mould of what we're looking to do here. We want technically gifted players who work hard and some of his touches were fantastic. He's incisive with his passing and so I'm very pleased with him."
No comments:
Post a Comment