A FEW OBSERVATIONS FROM THE GAME TODAY. LIVERPOOL 3-1 OSASUNA

Liverpool took on Osasuna in their final pre-season friendly of the summer today. The game was in front of a 40,000 strong Anfield crowd. Klopp named Kelleher, Neco Williams, Gomez, Konate and Tsimikas in his back five. In midfield, he paired Fabinho with Jones and Oxlade-Chamberlain, and a front three of 16 year old Kaide Gordon, captain Firmino and Minamino.

Two goals from captain on the day, Bobby Firmino, after a Minamino opener gave the Reds a comfortable lead. Kike climbed off the bench to give Osasuna a consolation second half. Read on for a few observations we made during the game.

Kelleher

Not troubled much. Looked nervy early on as he kept blasting every back pass to him down the field. Calmed down after about 15 minutes and started playing the passes we know he can play. Not much he could do about the goal. It was a terrific cross to the back post and a firm header.

N.Williams

Played well enough. A few good balls down the line for Gordon to chase. Can definitely swing in a cross as he showed on more than one occasion. Very important defensive header early on too, he had to be alert at the back post to clear. Can be a bit too raw at times when a pass to his intended target is not on. He’s got one move in that situation, a check back. If he can be a bit more improvisational in situations like that it could go a long way. Subbed around 80.

Gomez

Played really well. Kelleher played him into trouble early on with a poor pass but he calmly stepped across his man and turned away with the ball. He similarly bailed Tsimikas out of trouble when the Greek international had played a pass straight to an Osasuna forward. Gomez went steaming in with his pace and dealt with it with minimum fuss. Showed his passing range with some lovely clipped balls to the wings. Got an hour in his legs as he continues his comeback.

Konate

This guy is something else. His passing is always into feet and always line breaking. Several times he played a pass straight through midfield to set us away. His long passing is a sight to behold too. The one to put Minamino through on goal deserved a finish. Not only can he pass but he’s calm when defending too. Doesn’t panic and is always commanding with his size and physique. It will be interesting to see if he starts at the weekend ahead of Van Dijk.

Tsimikas

Another promising display from the 24 year old. Highlighted by his delightful assist for Firmino. His crossing ability was on display there, really good crosser of the ball. Played well but tired late on. Started hoofing clear a lot of the time instead of finding a teammate. A hush fell over Anfield when he was clattered into and stayed down. Thankfully he got up and played on. A full hour on the clock for him. Odds on to make his full PL debut at the weekend.

Fabinho

Doesn’t look like he’s only started pre-season a week or so ago. So comfortable in his role in the team. Sits and just distributes passes with minimum fuss. Classy pass put Minamino through for the first goal. He’s almost in cruise control half the time. Doesn’t overstretch or overexert, always in control. Another who got an hour in his legs.

Oxlade-Chamberlain

He was probably the pick of the bunch tonight. So lively and threatening. Played in midfield to start with and injected pace almost every time he got on the ball. He had a personal duel with the goalkeeper as he peppered him with shots from range. Even before the ball broke to him around the edge of the box, you could hear the Anfield faithful screaming for him to shoot. He should have gotten a handful of assists as his excellent work down the wings was wasted by Rhys on two occasions. Made one run through the middle and was slipped through by Henderson but again the keeper was equal to the shot.

Jones

Took a bit of a pounding today. First got a blow to the ribs that saw him in visible pain. He could have gone off but insisted to carry on. Not long after, he took a blow to the head and had to go off with a possible slight concussion. Showed some lovely touches though including a great ball to put Gordon through on goal.

Gordon

The 16 year old chose the wrong finish when sent through by Jones. Should have rounded the keeper but chose to curl the shot past him and unfortunately it went past the post. He’s come close to scoring a number of times this summer. He played on the shoulder of the defence and kept testing the defence and keeper with runs in behind. A few loose touches didn’t detract from another encouraging performance by the youngster.

Firmino

The darling of the Kop didn’t disappoint his admirers. With his song bellowing out from the Kop, he proceeded to reward them with a vintage Bobby performance. A close range finish from Tsimikas’s cross was followed up by a chest control and finish from Minamino’s cross. In between, there were some silky flicks and tricks with one double backheel flick in particular drawing cheers from the crowd. Pressed hard even though there were a few miscontrols here and there. Got an hour.

Minamino

He lost the ball with his first touch and they countered and almost scored. Then Jones played a pass to him and he fell over awkwardly. In that moment I worried for him. But he came storming back with an excellent performance. First came Konate’s through pass where he should have squared to Gordon but went for goal only to see the keeper deflect it behind. Then came Fabinho’s ball and this time he did try to square it but it took a deflection off the defender and in. Then another intelligent run down the left was spotted by Woodburn and his left footed cross was perfect for Bobby to slam home. A performance he can hope to build on. Really impressive.

Substitutes

Woodburn

A forgotten man (boy) who has come alive in the past week. Came on for Jones midway through the first half and played in midfield. Then when Firmino went off he played as the false nine and made a well timed run through the middle to get on the end of a Clarkson pass before he was brought down. Not shy to have a go from range. He later switched to the left wing when Minamino went off. Not to mention he played right back against Bologna too. He’s definitely endearing himself to the manager with versatility like that.

Origi

Came on for Gordon at halftime. Headed Woodburn’s inviting cross over. The keeper cleared one straight to him but he delayed with the shot and saw the chance gone. Stayed on the right wing even when Firmino went off as Woodburn and Oxlade-Chamberlain took turns as the false nine.

R. Williams

Came on around the hour mark for Gomez. Tsimikas wanted a bit of help on the goal but Rhys was marking his own man. Kostas should have done better. Rhys was given two chances on a plate by Ox late on but he blew both, side footing one wide and heading narrowly over with the second. His range of passing is eye catching. Very comfortable on the ball.

Beck

Impressed again after coming on for Tsimikas on the hour mark. Has a lovely left foot on him. Henderson set him up for a shot but his poor first touch meant it was closed down. Not afraid to bomb on at all. Could get an official debut in the Cups depending on how long Robertson’s ligament damage takes to heal.

Clarkson

Wow. In a midfield trio of him, Thiago and Henderson, he managed to stand out. He reminds me so much of Pedro Chirivella. Tonight he was magnificent. His close control, his first time passing, his vision, technical ability, confidence, everything was top notch. He sat in the Fabinho role too, with Thiago and Henderson either side. He made a few CL appearances last season and could build on that this season with Wijnaldum’s departure.

Thiago

Some lovely spins and swivels as per. A few well disguised passes to boot. Signs of rustiness here and there too. Normal considering this was his first game since the Euros. Wowed the crowd at times with some silky feints. Got half an hour in his legs.

Henderson

Looked really sharp. Some tidy passes and combination play. Didn’t take the armband off Origi when he came on. His leadership still shone through though as he could be heard barking instructions.

Bradley

Good for him to make his unofficial Anfield debut. Not afraid to play. Combined with Henderson down the right a few times.

Davies

Our phantom signing proved to everyone he’s not a figment of the imagination. Came on for his unofficial Anfield debut and got a good cheer from the crowd.