The Reds take on Brisbane Roar on Friday morning in our second pre-season game of the new campaign. We’ll be hoping for a repeat of our comfortable win over the Thai All-Stars, who were dispatched 4-0 on Tuesday.
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There will be 29 Liverpool stars hoping for their chance to impress Down Under and in the list below we count down the five things we would most like to take out of the game…
5) Brendan Rodgers to start with a strong team
Rodgers sprung a few surprises with his first starting line-up of the new season. Andre Wisdom, Joe Gomez, Rickie Lambert, Jordan Rossiter, Kolo Toure and Joao Teixeira were among the surprise selections, although they were still more than good enough to see off the Thai All-Stars. While it’s nice to see the fringe players given a chance, we need to give the first-team players time on the pitch together ahead of the new campaign.
4) Divock Origi to get another chance to impress
Arguably the stand-out player in Bangkok. He scored the fourth goal with a powerful header from a Jordan Henderson corner, while he also hit the woodwork twice and forced a fine save from the goalkeeper. With the imminent arrival of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa (via BBC Sport), it’s even more important that the youngster proves his worth and shows what he’s capable of. If he doesn’t, he could find himself as fourth choice.
3) Jordan Henderson to continue his fine form
Henderson was pulling out all the tricks in Thailand. Is this what the Liverpool captaincy and the FIFA 16 cover vote brings out of him? If so, then we could be in for a brilliant season from our midfield general. He’ll be hoping to lead the side out as our official skipper for the first time in Brisbane, after Kolo Toure was handed the honour against the All-Stars, and will look to continue to build-up his partnership with James Milner in the middle.
2) Returning stars to continue building their fitness
Mamadou Sakho and Adam Lallana both missed a lot of game time last season due to injury, so it’s pleasing to see them working on their fitness during this pre-season campaign. Both players found the net on Tuesday and will want to continue that form on Friday. With Sakho competing with Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren for one of the two centre-back spots and Lallana looking to overhaul Roberto Firmino, they need to continue impressing.
1) Summer signings to do the business
Nathaniel Clyne had a couple of nervous moments on debut and will be looking to show a bit more consistency in this one. Danny Ings was unlucky to have a goal ruled out and will no doubt be hoping to get off the mark at the second time of asking. James Milner and Joe Gomez will be hoping to build on positive first appearances, while Adam Bogdan is probably just hoping he gets a chance to do something and prove what he’s capable of.
