This was the first full game I've had a chance to watch this pre season, albeit at midnight, and I really enjoyed it.
I thought the team selected first half played very well and especially in midfield and up front. I was one who rasied an eyebrow when the team was announced but apart from Jay at RB it was a worth wile half of football. I say Jay because he is plainly never going to play RB for us this season and more than lilkely won't even be here so didn't see the point on theat one.
Defensively they didn't pose us many problems, and by all accounts this has been true of pre sdeason in general, so not sure what can be learned from it but I did think it was good to see how energetic Toure was. Really seems up for it with us.
Henderson gave a good disciplined performance in midfield and showed he possibly could cover Lucas this season but for me Allen and Alberto really impressed in the midfield. Allen showed that the second one on in midfield, if you like, is his position and it suits him well. The only problem is that it's Gerrard's position but again, we have a very good replacement there if the captain is injured or loses form.
First time I've got a proper look at Alberto and I like what I saw. Proper footballer by the looks of it and has a good eye for a pass and you can see him doing very well in a Rodgers side. Pass for Aspas goal was a peach and took his goal well. A very good understudy for the number 10 or even the Gerrard/Allen role.
The front three had a good half as well with Downing the weakest of the three but again, like many times last season, was the one who stayed wide to stretch the play a little and give an option. It's one reason I would keep him as against tougher oppositon his discipline and work rate could keep us in tight games with an Ibe or Sterling coming off the bench when legs get tired.
Ibe impressed again and once he gets more experienced and adds a bit more end product he will be a very good player. But Aspas was one who impressed me the most of the front three. I love how he always seems in a position to score a goal and think that given the right service he could score quite a few for us in the coming season. Seems like a porper goalscorer.
The second half gave us more of the regular players and good to see Raheem get a goal and Kelly get some more minutes on the pitch. Borini also had a decent half but missing out on a goal. Aspas seems to have that little but more experience and know how to get himself on the score sheet.
All in all it was just great to concentrate on actual football as this summer seems to have been one long slog at times.
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