Popular Liverpool Kitman Yinka Ademuyiwa brought the house down with his rendition of Vanilla Ice’s Ice Ice Baby during the traditional pre-season initiation karaoke night for new recruits.
His claims to deliver the most complete performance of the club’s stay in Austria remained firmly intact after Jurgen Klopp and his team returned to their picturesque training base in Saalfelden following Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to RB Salzburg. .
However, there is little cause for concern as to why Liverpool did not hit the high notes at Red Bull Arena. A degree of fatigue in both body and mind was understandable given the punishing double sessions the players faced over the past week.
After a drag-running exercise in scorching heat, the shattered vice-captain James Milner he turned to the coaching staff and joked, “Do you guys just enjoy watching the pain?”
For Klopp, this precious time in the stunning surroundings of the Leogang Mountains is about laying the groundwork for the upcoming season rather than worrying about friendly results. Klopp is delighted with what has been achieved tactically, physically and in terms of fostering the unity and spirit that he holds dear.
with the Austrian Bundesliga Having started last weekend, the Salzburg champions were always going to provide a proper test, and that challenge was intensified by Klopp’s decision to field a youth starting line-up that included four teenagers and seven total players aged 23 and under. .
After scoring four goals in the thrashing of RB Leipzig One week before, Darwin Nunez he was asked to lead the line on what was essentially an experimental side. The Uruguayan striker, who had a new partner Fabio Carvalho Y harvey eliott as company in a three-pronged attack, he saw a sweet blow cut through the bar. But for the most part, he was too isolated and lacked service.
Darwin Nunez cut an isolated figure up front in the first half against Red Bull Salzburg (Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
At the other extreme, the central jose gomez Y Ibrahima Konate they were caught by the impressive young Slovenian Benjamin Sesko, who coolly shot Adrian. It was the kind of goal Liverpool just won’t concede when Virgil van Dijk it’s out there
“In the first half we made too many mistakes,” admitted Klopp. “We were too open, too open, not connected enough in the moments when we lost the ball. We gave them space for their counterattacks. Darwin was too lonely. We could only pass him in the area. He needs a lot more support around him to keep other players busy.”
The changes that followed in the second half, as many of his main players were belatedly unleashed, hinted at how Klopp will approach Saturday’s Community Shield against manchester city at the King Power Stadium in Leicester.
vandijk, joel matip, Trent Alexander Arnold, fabinhoThiago, jordan henderson, Mohammed Salah Y luis diaz were presented during the last half hour. Andy Robertson had replaced substitute left-back Milner at half-time with Kostas Tsimikas ruled out due to knee pain.
Those nine are likely to start against Pep Guardiola’s side, although choosing between Konate and Matip teaming up with Van Dijk is complicated. So it is a draw between Núñez and Roberto Firmino for the last place in the gardens.
Those missing on Saturday will play Sunday’s final warm-up game against Strasbourg at Anfield.
Senior Anfield sources have dismissed speculation in Italy that juventus have submitted a £20 million ($24.4 million) bid for Firmino. The Brazilian may have entered the final year of his contract, but Liverpool insist they are not looking to sell and Klopp is planning next season with the former Hoffenheim attacker on board.
Klopp initially hoped to have Allison he faces Manchester City again but needs more time to recover from an abdominal problem. Alisson is expected to return for the opening. Premier league game against Fulhamwhich will be duly delivered to its alternate Caoimhin Kelleher he is still sidelined by the groin injury that ruined his preseason. Adrian has performed admirably in friendlies, but Alisson is in a class of her own.
Nunez will inevitably become the focal point of Liverpool’s attack, but it’s just a case of Klopp deciding he’s fully up to speed. Meanwhile, with Diogo Jota injured, Firmino is likely to be the beneficiary when it comes to playing time.
Liverpool dominated the second half as Klopp made nine changes (Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The difference the substitutions made for the final third of the match was huge, as Liverpool dominated and settled inside the Salzburg pitch. Díaz, Salah, Firmino and Alexander-Arnold were foiled by goalkeeper Nico Mantl. Then, when Diaz finally converted, he was ruled offside because Firmino had been too slow to pass. Somehow the hosts held on.
“It was like a thunderstorm, we were like a truck, but we didn’t finish situations,” Klopp added. “It would have been nice if you got a result for the effort, but it will be fine. We played that match after a full training session and we had to make a lot of changes”.
Klopp bristled on the touchline at Salzburg’s combative approach, with Carvalho in particular the recipient of harsh treatment. The coach was furious with the referees for not awarding a penalty after Diaz fell in the box. Replays showed, however, that Youba Diarra had a finger on the ball.
“In the Premier League, I would definitely go to the stands for the things I thought and said,” he later joked. It’s not often that Klopp gets to see the funny side when Liverpool lose, but this was a night where it was all about the big picture.
Now the King Power awaits Saturday when their time in Austria comes to an end. Liverpool have not won the Community Shield since 2006. They lost on penalties to City in 2019 and suffered the same fate against Arsenal 12 months later
The priority remains to do well for Fulham in their first Premier League game, but every game with City is important. It is an opportunity to leave a marker for the next season. They didn’t get a standing ovation from a packed crowd like Ademuyiwa did after his initiation, but the loss to Salzburg shouldn’t dent anyone’s belief in how fast-paced Liverpool’s preparations have been.
(Top photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)