Liverpool’s pre-season tour couldn’t have gone much better thus far – with wins against the Thai All-Stars and the Brisbane Roar giving us the perfect start to our new campaign.
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However, it’s likely to be all change once again on Monday, as some of the players who haven’t been given so much of a chance in the first two games get given their opportunity against Adelaide United.
So, with this in mind, we’ve planned our ideal team that will take the field during the first-half of the match. Have a look through and see if you agree with our reasoning.
GK) Adam Bogdan
The two keepers have split their time so far. They played a half each in the first game, before Mignolet played the entirety of the second match. The Hungarian would benefit from getting his first full 90 minutes under his belt.
RB) Joe Gomez
Arguably the stand-out player in the first two games. Unlike some of the more established players, we want to see as much of Gomez as possible, so we can be as sure on his ability for our competitive matches as possible.
CB) Dejan Lovren
The Croatian didn’t feature in Brisbane and is surely due a start here. Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure’s roles for next season are already determined, but the former Southampton man deserves a chance to earn a first-team place.
CB) Mamadou Sakho
The man he’ll be battling with should ironically be his centre-back partner for this one. While it would be nice to see young Daniel Cleary given a run out at some stage, it’s vital that the Frenchman’s fitness levels are fully tested.
LB) Alberto Moreno
Moreno is yet to feature during the tour due to a niggling injury. One hopes that he’ll be fit enough for at least 45 minutes on Monday, or else the point of making him sit through all those hours on a plane seems rather void.
DM) Joe Allen
Rested against Brisbane after picking up a slight injury, he’s virtually a certainty to start here. With Lucas having done well in his absence and Emre Can still to come back, it’s vitally important that the Welshman performs here.
CM) Pedro Chirivella
A highly-rated young player who will have benefited greatly from being in and around the senior players thus far. It would nice to give him at least a little bit of playing time, so that he can truly show us what he’s capable of.
CM) Joao Carlos Teixeira
The youngster looked impressive against the Thai All-Stars and it will be good to test him against stronger opposition, as he continues his unbelievably fast comeback from the broken leg that he suffered last season.
AM) Lazar Markovic
Scored the first goal of Liverpool’s new season in Bangkok but was left out in Brisbane. Will be crying out for a return to the team here as he looks to make his case to be included regularly in the team again next season.
AM) Jordon Ibe
Has looked good in a couple of substitute cameos thus far and is surely overdue the chance to do some damage from the start. Like Markovic, he still has plenty to prove if he’s going to be a regular for Rodgers later in the year.
ST) Danny Ings
Has so far come frustratingly close to his first Liverpool goal, but is still yet to get off the mark. This will be his third chance and an opportunity that he must take, especially considering the imminent arrival of Benteke.
