It is often said that each new season brings with a sense of optimism, with Liverpool a club that should come under that category for the upcoming campaign.
While they were disappointing last season, a couple of top class midfield signings in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominic Szoboszlai should strengthen what was an area of concern in recent times. With Jordan Hederson and Fabinho also set to exit, you can expect to see further additions in the weeks ahead.
However, it is clear that some concerns are present after the club's pre-season friendly this afternoon.
Liverpool fans worried by pre-season performance
While it can be easy to read too much into pre-season, quite a few Liverpool supporters are worried about what they saw from some of the players in the club's 4-4 draw with German second tier club Furth.
There were some bright spots, including a brace from Darwin Nunez and the performance of youngster Ben Doak. In saying that, it was issues at the back that have many onlookers concerned.
Liverpool have a very strong first choice goalkeeper and defence, boasting some of the best players in the world in those positions. However, there is far less certainty about their backup players in those roles.
The likes of Adrian, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, and Kostas Tsimikas have all been questioned by Liverpool fans in recent times, with that quartet turning in shocking performance in the game this afternoon.
Adrian was particularly poor, having a calamitous role in Furth's first goal on this occasion.
It didn’t even take five minutes for Adrian to make a mistake who is this guy man😭 pic.twitter.com/MaHrQEhwLn
— lucas🔑 (@thatniggalucas) July 24, 2023
With Caoimhín Kelleher potentially on his way out of the club, there is a good chance that the Spaniard will act as Jurgen Klopp's no. 2 this season.
The way in which Liverpool defended in the second half raised questions for many about the team's depth in that area of the pitch.
We gave Adrian a contract extension and still employ Tsimikas, Gomez and Matip pic.twitter.com/bBjHy2cxlu
— 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱 🧏🏽♂️ (@LFC_Jota20) July 24, 2023
Tsimikas, Gomez & Matip should be embarrassed with themselves the way they've played in this second half.
— - (@JoshLFC1909) July 24, 2023
Wonder if Al Ittihad will take Matip if we knock £5m off the Fabinho fee?
— - (@JoshLFC1909) July 24, 2023
• Van Dijk: Great but declining
• Konate: Great but injury prone
• Gomez: Disgraceful
• Matip: Disgraceful
• Robertson: Can’t play the LCB role
• Tsimikas: Disgraceful
• Trent: Now inverted
We go on about the midfield situation, but look at the defence. It’s a joke.— Laurie (@LFCLaurie) July 24, 2023
Lovely skills and goals by Darwin Nunez, his no 9 season has started in style, scoring goals for fun, and his movement has been magnificent, his assist for Salah has also been wow. 🔥
😔 But what's worrying is our defence, Adrian, Matip, Gomez, Tsimikas etc haven't been good in… pic.twitter.com/b5zU5oipyZ— LiverpoolGoals (@Liverpoolgoals_) July 24, 2023
One Van Dijk / Konaté injury away from Matip or Gomez being our first choice
I can’t stress enough how important it is to sign a CB before the season begins— - (@PassLikeThiago) July 24, 2023
We're just one injure away from watching Gomez or Matip starting in defense regularly
Not looking good brev pic.twitter.com/mObtO821wC— 💎 (@TrentroleLFC) July 24, 2023
Our depth in defence is actually a joke.
VVD ain’t the same, Konate is good, Trent’s a midfielder now, Robertson can’t play the LCB role, Matip is washed, Gomez and Tsimikas both not good enough, Quansah and Bradley need loans.
We are so fucked.— FSG OUT (@ShaunlfcT) July 24, 2023
It is said that Liverpool are in the market for a new centre back this summer, a position that needs to be reinforced if they are to avoid a repeat of last season's issues. The same can be said of goalkeeper if they decide to sell Kelleher before the start of the campaign.
There is no doubt that it will be a big few weeks ahead for the club.
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