Liverpool set out on tour this weekend, with the Reds due to play five fixtures over the next month before our Premier League campaign gets underway at the Britannia Stadium on August 9th.
SEE MORE:
Best midfielders over past 5 seasons statistically calculated – Coutinho 8th, Henderson better
World’s 20 highest potential youngsters named by Football Manager – Two teens pip Sterling
Jordan Henderson on the front of FIFA 16 – what a day for the Liverpool captain!
In the list below we analyse every player that’s on route to the Far East, including our new signings, several impressive academy stars and all the other players that will be looking to impress Brendan Rodgers and co.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing?
Goalkeepers:
Simon Mignolet – The goalkeeper was in fine form during the second-half of last season. There is fresh competition for him this season, in the shape of Adam Bogdan, and he’ll want to confirm his place as number one.
Adam Bogdan – The Hungarian will surely be eagerly anticipating his debut following his move from Bolton. The flame-haired stopper showed what he could do against us in the FA Cup last term. More of the same please!
Ryan Fulton – With Danny Ward having joined Aberdeen on a season-long loan deal, Fulton gets the nod as our third keeper. He doesn’t turn 20 until January, but he should thrive from any game time he gets for us here.
Defenders:
Nathaniel Clyne – There’s a lot expected of the England international and he’ll want to get off to the perfect start here. A lot of the tour will be about getting to know his teammates but a couple of good performances will get the fans on side as well.
Joe Gomez – Another new signing. We don’t know at this stage exactly how much game time the youngster is expecting to get next season. His performances on this tour could be an indication of what to expect from him.
Dejan Lovren – We all know about the Croatian’s problems last season and it’s important that he starts setting things right from day one. He’s playing for his place in the team here, as the battle with Sakho and Skrtel begins.
Alberto Moreno – Another of last summer’s signings who’ll want to show what he’s truly capable of this year, following a mixed first season on Merseyside. We’ve not got many options at left-back and it would be nice to see that the one we do have is a good one.
Kolo Toure – Fresh off the back of his new contract, the veteran defender will no doubt have already been tasked with helping guide the new generation of young Liverpool stars. Let’s hope that he proves our faith right.
Andre Wisdom – The youngster needs to show what he’s gained from two years out on loan. Rodgers has backed him by handing him a new contract and letting Javier Manquillo go. He’ll want to prove his manager right here.
Daniel Cleary – A real exciting prospect this. He only turned 19 in March and we’re all looking forward to seeing what the youngster is capable of. There are plenty of guys ahead of him in the pecking order, but this is a real chance to make an impression.
Martin Skrtel – The Slovakian only signed his new contract this week and should be in good spirits as he helps lead the team out on tour. With our new vice-captain yet to be named, there’s arguably a point for him to prove as well.
Mamadou Sakho – This is going to be a make or break season for the Frenchman. With his first two years at Anfield having been cruelly held up by a succession of injury problems this is when he needs to prove his worth.
Joe Maguire – An attacking left-back with a powerful shot, Maguire will sense a real opportunity to make an impact here. With Jose Enrique not included, Moreno is the only man ahead of him in the pecking order.
Midfielders:
Joe Allen – Another player with a point to prove. Emre Can – missing from the tour after playing in the European Under-21 Championships with Germany – will be his rival for a spot in the team next season, so this is an early chance to prove that he should be the one starting come August.
Jordan Henderson – All eyes will be on our new captain, as he leads the team out as the official skipper for the first time on Tuesday. He needs to set the tone straight away and show everyone exactly what’s to be expected from him.
Lucas Leiva – The Brazilian only returned from injury in the closing weeks of last season. He’ll hope to rediscover his best form during the tour and ensure that Brendan Rodgers puts aside any possible thoughts about letting him go this summer.
James Milner – Steven Gerrard’s replacement. There are big shoes to fill for Milner and his unenviable task starts next week as he joins his new teammates on the pre-season tour. Let’s hope that he doesn’t disappoint.
Pedro Chirivella – A real bright prospect. A classic No. 6 who’s best when placed in the defensive midfield position and allowed to keep things ticking over – tracking back to help the defence and pushing forward in attack.
Jordan Rossiter – Scored on his Liverpool debut in the League Cup win over Middlesbrough last year. I’m sure plenty of our supporters are curious to see how much he’s come on over the last twelve months.
Joao Carlos Teixeira – Has recovered well from the broken leg he suffered while on loan at Brighton last season and is already back in training. If he’s able to play regularly then he really needs to use this tour to prove himself.
Attacking Midfielders
Jordon Ibe – After doing the business at Derby during the first-half of last season and returning to Liverpool in fine form, the youngster will be eagerly anticipating his first full season as a Red. Expectations are high.
Ryan Kent – Another promising talent who returned from injury to inspire our Under-21 team to second place in the junior version of the Premier League last season. Let’s hope those problems are behind him and he’s in for a good year.
Sheyi Ojo – The teenager will surely be hoping to make a breakthrough into the Liverpool first-team next season. He did really well on loan at Wigan last season and has surely earned his chance during our pre-season tour.
Harry Wilson – Already a Welsh international and another one that’s in need of a professional debut to help him complete his rise to the top level. The pre-season tour should be an excellent place for him to start that quest.
Adam Lallana – Injury problems prevented him from featuring in our pre-season tour last time around. It will be interesting to see how much better off he is for getting a full set of games under his belt this time around.
Lazar Markovic – The Serbian really needs to make a mark during this tour after struggling to make an impact last season. We’ve seen flashes of his ability over the last twelve months but it would be good to see them more often.
Raheem Sterling – Will he go? It’s going to go down to the wire. It will be interesting to see what sort of reaction the youngster gets if he does indeed get on that plane and pull on the Liverpool shirt once again.
Strikers
Danny Ings – The former Burnley striker could have taken an extended break – as Roberto Firmino, Emre Can and Tiago Ilori have done – but he returned early to try and get off the mark as soon as possible. Let’s hope he does.
Rickie Lambert – Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini have both missed out on selection but the third element of last season’s strikeforce has made the cut. Can the big man make the impact he failed to do for most of last season.
Divock Origi – The Belgian is back from his season on loan at Lille and having had to wait twelve months for his Liverpool debut he must be itching to get going. Let’s hope that he proves to be worth the wait and starts well.
