Wigan v Liverpool preview - Coutinho, Mane, youngsters and Karius to look forward to
Pic Colin Lane: Wigan vs Liverpool .. Flares from Liverpool fans in 2013
Liverpool’s pre-season campaign continues at Wigan Athletic on Sunday, as Jürgen Klopp’s side makes the short trip to the DW Stadium.
Having started the summer with wins at Tranmere and Fleetwood, their whistle-stop tour of the North takes them to Gary Caldwell’s Latics, newly-promoted to the Championship.
The Reds then visit Huddersfield Town on Wednesday evening before jetting off to the USA the following day. Busy times for Klopp and his squad.
It’s not the easiest time of year to make assessments, pre-season, but here are five things we’re looking forward to at Wigan....
Jürgen Klopp with Philippe Coutinho during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on July 12, 2016 (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
A possible first glimpse of Philippe CoutinhoLiverpool’s player of the year returned to Melwood this week, and is in line to play some part in Sunday’s game.
Coutinho didn’t feature at Fleetwood on Wednesday but after a week of training, should be able to do 45 minutes at Wigan.
A boost for the travelling supporters; the Brazilian is one of the Reds’ key players, and it will be good to see him back on the field, linking with his teammates.
Another look at Sadio ManeHe’s only had two halves of football, but Liverpool fans have been encouraged by what they’ve seen of their new £30m signing. He looks sharp, dangerous and, pleasingly, seems to have awareness to go with his blistering pace.
Klopp is a huge fan, and it will be good to see how Mane’s role in the side grows as he gets fitter and more in tune with his teammates. How he dovetails with someone like Coutinho, who could find his pacy runs for fun, will be particularly interesting.
The same goes for Marko Grujic, so impressive in midweek. Klopp asked for the Serbian to improve his defensive output after that game, let’s see if he can take that on board.
Tranmere Rovers FC v Liverpool FC pre-season friendly at Prenton Park. Liverpool's Sadio Mane in action for the reds.
The youngsters Klopp has been singing aboutIt’s one of the best things about pre-season, seeing talented young players getting the chance to shine in the first team.
A few of Liverpool’s teenagers have seized their opportunity so far. Ben Woodburn lit up Fleetwood on Wednesday, while Trent Alexander-Arnold was superb at Tranmere. Ovie Ejaria, meanwhile, has looked the part in both of his run-outs.
All three, plus the likes of Cameron Brannagan and Ryan Kent, will be hoping to go on the US tour. Sunday offers a chance to stake their claims further.
Loris Karius finally having something to doLiverpool’s opponents in pre-season should, theoretically, get more tricky as they go on. From National League side Tranmere, to League One outfit Fleetwood, the Reds now move into the Championship.
Hopefully, then, we may see a little more of the club’s new goalkeeper. Karius has been a virtual spectator so far, his only challenge having been to keep the sun out of his eyes.
Reds fans hope the German is the man to compete with, or indeed succeed, Simon Mignolet. They’ll want to see him tested as soon as possible.
A few familiar facesThere are plenty of Merseysiders in the Wigan squad. Goalkeeper Lee Nicholls is Huyton born, while midfielder Max Power is from Birkenhead.
Ryan Taylor, a Scouser, is on trial with the Latics, while left back Stephen Warnock made 67 appearances for the Reds.
Michael Jacobs, meanwhile, scored at Anfield for Northampton in their (in)famous League Cup win 2010, while Andrew Taylor played against the Reds for Cardiff at Wembley in 2012.
And there’s always Will Grigg, of course. We saw less of him this summer than we did Pikachu, but we’ve heard all about the Northern Ireland striker....
No flames on this picture
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