When Klopp is here for the last almost 6 years, we can afford to give them a little more rest, compared to some other coaches who have much more work to do. Pep did something amazing at the start of last season when he diminished the amount of training to keep them more fresh, relying on the knowledge and experience they gathered in all these years before. Maybe we judge these extra 10 days or so as a little advantage for us. Give the team a breather, not a lot of changes in our squad, but when they all get back, bring back our basics along with the injured CBâs.
About 20 lads had 7 weeks vacation
Iâm not concerned, our guys need the rest more than they need friendlies against league 1 and 2 sides.
Agreed. Most of these players have trained and played together for years and have great understanding of each other and of Kloppâs strategies. So few weeks training should be enough for any fine tuning.
True. Besides the players who need a bit rigorous training (Tsimikas, Takumi, VVD, Konate) will be in training from the beginning. Thatâs why I wanted all our incomings sorted by June.
The other thing to consider is players base level of fitness is a lot higher these days, so the start of preseason is no longer about getting the fitness levels up, and I would be very surprised if any player in the top 2-3 divisions would be needing the old bin liner trick these days.
Preseasons are more about generating revenues than playersâ fitness now. Without COVID restrictions and/or Euro & Copa there would have been a flurry of intercontinental tours.
Some big names in there. Letâs hope they can all stay fit.
We can field a proper defense with
In the first friendlyâs
We can basically make 3 XIâs with that list, though we have some CBâs and GKâs to spare. But around 3 teams.
I guess we have our senior first two XIâs and then another one made up of players who will leave anyway (still be part of us bringing them to match fitness and âshowâ them on the pitch) and rewarding some of our best talents who merited it most.
Will be interesting to see who shares minutes at holding midfield, with all of Hendo, Fabinho and Thiago still out. Probably shared between the likes of Milner, Clarkson, possibly Grujic before heâs sold. Could flip to a double pivot as well in some periods to give that one a go also.
Whatâs TAAâs injury status?
Really surprised Balagizi isnât included considering some of the u18 lads that are going.
Disappointed that James Balagizi is not travelling. Looks to be one of the best prospects we have to me.
Seems he is injured . Look forward to seeing him back soon.
It makes complete sense to not play any friendlies in the UK right now. With huge case numbers here its a massive massive risk just before the season starts of players needing to self isolate if playing against lower opposition that probably donât have such a rigorous covid testing process.
So whoâs joining the pre-season late?
Henderson, Thiago, Robbo, Jota, Fab, Firmino, Ali, Shaq, Neco, and Harry W?
Good, he should be fit on Monday
This is why Balagizi isnât with them unfortunately
Picks up a few knocks him
You make an excellent point.
Javid has already predicted a 100k a week when the PL kicks off so I donât have any doubts it will be much lower. Players will still have isolate not to mention long Covid.
Probably best to be secluded in a training camp in Austria for long as possible.
Apart from Hendo, who else is missing pre-season training?
Thiago, Jota, Robertson, Shaqiri, Neco, Wilson, Alisson, Fabinho, Firmino