Here is your Liverpool morning digest for Thursday, July 14.
Jurgen Klopp reveals tactical plan for Darwin Nunez
Jurgen Klopp has explained how his new-look team will aim to get the best out of Darwin Nunez as the Liverpool boss opened up on the secrets behind the recruitment success of recent years.
And Klopp also believes the difference in styles between Nunez and Roberto Firmino as a centre-forward will allow the Reds to be even more unpredictable this coming campaign as he hinted at a shift in tactical thinking behind the scenes.
Nunez was recruited last month from Benfica after it became clear that Sadio Mane was seeking a fresh challenge. The deal with the Portuguese side could see the Uruguay striker become the most expensive player of all time at Anfield, should the performance-related add-ons reach the £85m sum.
The 23-year-old made his debut as a second-half substitute in Tuesday's 4-0 friendly defeat to Manchester United in Bangkok and is expected to play a part on Friday when the Reds meet Crystal Palace in Singapore. The target man's natural way of playing means there will be a tweak in how Liverpool operate in the final third, says Klopp, who also suggested his options give him the opportunity to "change the dynamics on the pitch" this term.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Fabio Carvalho offers Liverpool hint
Reading much of anything into pre-season results is largely a waste of time. In the summer of 2019, Liverpool lost to Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Napoli, then won 26 of their first 27 games in the Premier League season which followed.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things to learn from the summer matches, even 4-0 losses to rivals Manchester United. The Reds’ first game in their preparations for the 2022/23 campaign offered Kopites a chance to see several players with whom they were unfamiliar.
Unless they pay close attention to the academy, fans may not have seen the likes of Isaac Mabaya, Luke Chambers or Bobby Clark before. The performances of new signings Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho were inevitably going to draw greater interest, though.
Liverpool supporters have first-hand experience of what the former can do. The Uruguayan scored home and away against the Reds for Benfica last season, with a pair of excellent finishes. Carvalho will be more of an unknown quantity to many, though. As he only had half an hour on the pitch – as was the case for all the outfield players – he didn’t have too many opportunities to impress. But there was one moment which hinted at the possibilities his acquisition might open for Liverpool next season.
With his side a goal down and playing their way out from the back, Carvalho received the ball from Tyler Morton in the centre-circle. The 19-year-old had plenty of space in which to run and duly took advantage of it, carrying the ball across the middle of the pitch.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
READ NEXT:
- 'In his mind' - Jurgen Klopp sent blunt Diogo Jota Liverpool warning after Darwin Nunez transfer
- Liverpool fan groups react to damning French Senate report on Champions League final
- 'All in all' - Rio Ferdinand makes Man United claim after Liverpool pre-season defeat
- Liverpool make decision on Anfield concerts for final phase of stadium work
- Liverpool set for '£12m boost' with two major sponsorship opportunities on horizon
