5) Jordan Henderson
Visibly enjoyed wearing the armband. Henderson even picked up from where Gerrard left off in terms of his seamless off the field duties, which are not to be smirked at on a pre-season tour of the Far East. He looks fully fit, and even oozed a bit of class at times to complement his brilliant engine.
4) Adam Lallana
Two goals from Lallana during pre-season will make it difficult for Rodgers to select anyone else on the left of midfield at Stoke. The midfielder’s looked silky at times, and his creativity and goalscoring touch makes him a serious asset for us this term if he can stay fit.
3) Joe Gomez
From seemingly nowhere, Gomez is now our starting left-back, despite playing right-back for Championship side Charlton last year. He’s been that good. The 18-year-old’s physicality belies his age, as does his technical ability and composure. We’ve got no worries for him against Stoke.
2) James Milner
Signing Milner on a Bosman seems a masterstroke from Rodgers and the club. He’s bedded into the side in his favoured central midfield role seamlessly, scoring twice during pre-season and displaying the cool, experienced head we needed upon the departure of Steven Gerrard. We think Liverpool will be as good for Milner as he’ll be for us.
1) Jordon Ibe
Devastating down the right flank, time and time again. Ibe had every fullback he lined up during pre-season for breakfast, and it was only a surprise when he didn’t get to the byline after taking a defender on. He is a ruthless combination of skill, pace and power. His left-footed strike against Malaysia XI was particularly jaw-dropping, and perhaps most impressively – proved he’s got a side of his game which the departed Raheem Sterling hasn’t. To get £49m for an unhappy Sterling when Ibe’s waiting in the wings seems terrific business, too. We hope he gets the chances this season that his summer showings have earned.
