Pre-season thread

[Roboklopp]

His little legs could hardly get his arse off the seat, must be like getting out of an HGV for him.

This is my life man.

[Assassin]

This is my life man.

[RedReet]

For a City perspective, you have to admire how well drilled they are, the younger players playing in the image of the first team and all technically very good.

Few disappointing performances from our point of view in the first half, surprisingly Milner and Robertson were bellow par. I honestly forgot Wijnaldum was playing until a close up towards the end of the half.

Jones again looks promising, bags of talent and confidence, he's definitely moved ahead of Woodburn who has stalled it seems.

Didn't watch the second half but it seems we had more control, Phillips impressed again? and its always nice to see Pep squirm when we beat them.

Far too early to say that. Jones has looked good in his first pre-season, but Woodburn was even better in his, two years ago.

Going from Klopp's comments about Jones needing to learn when to dribble, how to defend etc., it appears at this stage he has the freedom to play how he likes (to a certain degree) and show off his talents, much as I assume Woodburn was back then. Woodburn has a lot more responsibility now and although he's been playing in CM for the academy teams, it's still a new position for him at senior level, so it's no great surprise he isn't having as much of an impact.

I'm disappointed we pulled out of his loan deal in January as I do feel it's held back his progression somewhat. Hopefully he gets a decent loan move this summer and we get to see more of Jones in the cups and the odd cameo when games are won.

[Vermilion]

This is my life man.

Size isn't everything RK, personality and likeability are much better traits.

edit: and being good at football.

[RedReet]

Woodburn was pressing well at the end of the game and looked much better than of late (and we haven't see much of him tbf).

Woodburn could definitely do with a loan if he's not going to get many games this year, like last. I feel Solanke could do with a year of regular games as well. Klopp will know best though.


Edit. As for negativity towards youth. Meh. The squad is filling up nicely and young players are going to have to be special to break through. I like youngsters breaking through as much as anyone but we may have to accept that's going to be harder than ever before.

Only seen highlights, but I heard he played better.

[McDermotX]

Negative match thread ??

Considering there was only probably a dozen posts, that's some stretch

Overall, it was a good game to have. Far more needle in that than playing Paddy Whack Utd, and will probably continue in the next. Started well in the first few mins, but a young City side grew into the half and had the better of the attacking moments without really troubling Karius too often. They probably should have had a pen to be fair.
Enjoyed the game as it went on, especially with the introduction of Mane, Salah etc, from when we had free reign in their half with the ability to move through their inexperienced lines at will.
VVD looked a bit rusty, with far too many stray balls and looked like his concentration wasn't 100%, Jones had a few decent moments but nothing really to show for it, bit aimless up top in the first half (but anything in comparison to our main men usually is), but overall most acquitted themselves to a decent level, though the finishing team looked more the part naturally.

Still waiting to see what's in reserve behind that main threat. BSD tries, but it's hard to see him establishing himself right now, ditto for Origi, so the chances of both being around this season are minimal, moreso now if Sturridge is hanging around.
Bobby is still going to be the glue that holds our attacking philosophy together, and while it'll be interesting to see what support Shaq can offer from the bench in attacking areas, we are still a bit one dimensional in personnel - not an unsurprising fact as these guys are really among the best at their craft, but there are times we'll need an attacking option to slot in without adversely affecting our threat.

[Buzzo]

I saw a decent portion of the second half.

The main thing of note was the quality in our attacking play when both Mane and Salah were on the pitch. Looked a decent run out until then, but realistically, both could have easily had hat-tricks in the time they were on the pitch.

A solid run out against a very weak Man City team.

Thought Grujic played well when he came on.

Camacho good, but a few misplaced passes as well. The kid at the back played well second half.

[poorscousertommy]

Why the **** are we calling Solanke BSD now?

[McDermotX]

We're not really. ....just ripping it off from another thread.

Not calling him BigDom though, that's for sure. Sounds like some crap pornstar.

It's Solanke-Mitchell from now on. So that's now BDSM.







Oh.




.

[Red_Polo]

Why the **** are we calling Solanke BSD now?

Crass and unwarranted. Not sure who started it but odd thing to say about a kid who barely plays.

[Tee]

Why the **** are we calling Solanke BSD now?

What’s BSD mean? Never heard it before

[dom9]

What’s BSD mean? Never heard it before

Think Benteke

And yes, anyone using that as a nickname should be embarrassed with themselves.

[McDermotX]

What’s BSD mean? Never heard it before

Bit **** Dom.

FWIW, it's more than a bit unfair. I actually like the lad as he doesn't go hiding, but as a main backup for the likes of Bobby, he understandably struggles in almost all areas, and doesn't have that lethal streak yet present in his game to make up. That said he was getting into the box last night, which led directly to the peno.
Given his frame and supposed pace, there's always the chance he can kick on, but you'd think there's only room for one of himself and Origi, and neither provide the quality desired up to now. I'm not convinced he's a good fit for what we want from the bench (certainly at the level we want). ...... his hold up play needs work, he doesn't exhibit the pacy, intelligent running etc
But he never retreats into himself and he tries his best, which is admirable. Don't think it'll happen for Origi, but Solanke-Mitchell might still have a shot.

[Buzzo]

Think Benteke

And yes, anyone using that as a nickname should be embarrassed with themselves.

BSD’s sticking up for each other

Calling Solanke BSD is an insult to BSC. Benteke was so utterly useless and **** that he deserves to have prefix BS in any TLA retired in his honour in the same way their will only ever be one PFK.

[labourRed]

BSD’s sticking up for each other
.