As the post-mortem continues into what went wrong for England at the European Championship – the short answer being nigh-on everything – the small matter of the new Premier League season begins to loom large on the footballing horizon.
Pre-season will soon be underway, arguably the most important part of the year, as clubs look to assemble a team capable of challenging for honours and managers aim to implement their tactics. The importance of pre-season will be perhaps no better demonstrated anywhere than at Liverpool this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to turn his side into something similar to his Borussia Dortmund team.
The German came to the club once last season had already ended and it’s widely expected now that this summer his players are going to be worked into the ground to adopt his high pressing style properly. It’s a time for Klopp to really see who’s going to be a part of what the Anfield faithful hope will be a legacy, and there are certainly plenty of players with a point to prove if they want to feature.
Here at FootballFanCast we’ve had a run through of the Liverpool squad and think this FIVE need to show what they’ve got this pre-season if they want to be a part of the former Dortmund man’s plans…
Jon Flanagan
Everyone connected to the club wants to see Jon Flanagan do well.
The most predominant scouser on the Reds’ books, Flanagan carries the expectation of a city on his shoulders as he looks to emulate those that have gone before him. It’s a big label to carry around and the full-back seems to relish it, but it’s now time for him to prove his fitness and win a place in the side.
He may have the backing of the crowd, but only strong performances will retain that. It’s time for him to fulfil the potential he’s shown so far.
Simon Mignolet
Strangely enough the signing of Loris Karius could be exactly what the Belgian needs.
Mignolet’s time at the club has been overshadowed frequently by a number of high profile mistakes and that could ultimately be down to complacency. In his time at the club he’s gone nearly completely unchallenged for his position and when a change has been made his replacement has blown it.
You can’t think that’ll happen with Karius though and so the former Sunderland man will have to step up at last.
Jordon Ibe
Ibe is one of the very few orthodox wingers Klopp has at the club and the Englishman should be embracing this.
He has a real chance to force his way into the side by offering Klopp genuine width – Liverpool’s team is quite narrow – but so far he hasn’t made much of an impression. You get the feeling with Ibe that if he strings a decent run of games together his confidence will soar, but first he needs to show his manager exactly why the Reds need his width in their line-up this summer.
[ad_pod id=’1617-transfers’ align=’center’]
Lazar Markovic
Markovic returns to the club after a season on loan and could arguably be the one Klopp is most excited about working with.
The Serbian has all the attributes of a Klopp player, he’s quick, technically good, possesses great work-rate and can play in a number of positions going forward. If Markovic impresses during pre-season his Liverpool career might finally kick into life under a manager that will know exactly how to play him.
It’s an intriguing proposition on paper and will only be more-so if the former Benfica man performs.
[ad_pod id=’1617-transfers’ align=’center’]
Mario Balotelli
This man’s had so many drinks in the last chance saloon he should get a loyalty card!
The Italian spent last season on loan at AC Milan where he failed to impress and to have any chance of figuring for Liverpool next season he really needs to buck his ideas up. On his day he looks like a good player, but his day comes around about as often as Halley’s Comet and you’ve got to say that if he doesn’t knuckle down this summer he’ll be out on his ear.
The next few months are truly make or break for the career of Mario Balotelli.
[ad_pod id=’1617-transfers’ align=’center’]