JĂźrgen Klopp manager of Liverpool issues instructions during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at JJB Stadium on July 17, 2016 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool head Stateside this week â but not before a quick stop-off in Huddersfield.
JĂźrgen Klopp and his players visit the John Smithâs Stadium on Wednesday night before flying out to California in the early hours of Thursday. No rest for the wicked, as they say.
So far so good, in terms of Liverpoolâs pre-season preparations so far. Three games, three wins, three clean sheets; promise from the youngsters and valuable fitness for the seniors. The sun was even out at Wigan.
It is no surprise to see Huddersfield on Liverpoolâs friendly list this summer. Their manager, David Wagner, was best man at Kloppâs wedding, and worked alongside the Reds boss at both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.
For Liverpool fans, itâs another relatively short summer trip after visits to Tranmere, Fleetwood and Wigan.
Here are a few things they can look forward to at Huddersfield...
Huddersfield Town manager Bill Shankly during a training session at the club's ground.30th April 1959.
Playing for silverware!The name Bill Shankly may be synonymous with Liverpool Football Club, but heâs revered at Huddersfield too. And on Wednesday, the two clubs will commemorate his career by contesting the Shankly Trophy.
Shankly spent more than three years at Town, first as reserve coach then as manager. He left for Liverpool in December 1959, and the rest is history.
The Anfield trophy cabinet has been a little neglected over the past four years, so it would be nice for Klopp to bring a pot back. Especially one bearing the name of the clubâs most iconic manager.
Huddersfield Town manager, German born David Wagner who is a friend of Liverpool manager JĂźrgen Klopp. Staff Picture by: Andy Stenning
The Wagner-Klopp relationshipâIâve know JĂźrgen longer than Iâve known my wife,â remarked David Wagner in an interview with the Guardian back in December.
The pair share a footballing history, as well as a fondness for beards and baseball caps. As teammates at Mainz - âI took his place in the team, so he changed his role from a striker to a defender because it was much easier for him!â says Wagner â they became close friends. Wagner was coach of Dortmundâs second team while Klopp managed the seniors, and the Huddersfield boss sought his palâs advice when offered his first managerial role with the Terriers last year.
Expect smiles and warm embraces prior to kick off, and then an intense contest after that. There is a trophy at stake, after all...
A sterner testAssessments of Liverpoolâs pre-season performance so far must contain a caveat; they havenât faced a great deal in terms of opposition.
Indeed, Reds fans could have been forgiven for feeling a little short-changed at Wigan, as the Latics fielded a largely second-string side having taken on Jose Mourinhoâs Manchester United 24 hours previously.
Huddersfield havenât hosted Liverpool since an FA Cup third round tie in 1999, and so you would expect them to want to put on some kind of show for their fans. They have a few noteworthy players, including top scorer Nahki Wells, and should offer a decent examination.
Better than Wigan, anyway.
Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool comes close with a back heal during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at JJB Stadium on July 17, 2016 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The pecking order emergingOn Sunday we saw, for the first time this pre-season, players being asked to do more than just 45 minutes.
Loris Karius, Connor Randall and Joel Matip were the three players selected to do the full 90 at Wigan â well, 89 in Matipâs case â and it will be interesting to see how many, and who, gets the nod this time.
Klopp is still waiting for players to come back â and still waiting for a couple of signings too - but, four friendlies in, will be starting to think about that first starting XI at Arsenal, and developing those key relationships within his team.
There will still be changes, of course, and Matip for example may not be risked, but Kloppâs job is to get his team ready for the new campaign. We should start to see his plans become clearer in the coming week.
Ben Woodburn of Liverpool competes with Sam Morsy of Wigan Athletic during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at JJB Stadium on July 17, 2016 in Wigan, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The kidsThere are understandable concerns about the dangers of âhyping upâ Liverpoolâs young stars â we hear them too!
But for supporters, there are few more enjoyable things than seeing a potential star emerge, and daydreaming about what they could go on to achieve.
Ben Woodburn, with two goals in two games, Ovie Ejaria and Trent Alexander-Arnold could not have done more to impress so far, but donât forget the slightly older lads too â Ryan Kent looks sharp as a tack, Cameron Brannagan plays with a maturity beyond his years, and Marko Grujic made a very good first impression.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/huddersfield-v-liverpool-preview-shankly-11634103Another strong line up I think for this one. Hoping to see more of Grujic in this game if he's better.
We can make it 4/4 with a win here, and give us some momentum going into the tournament in the states.
