JURGEN Klopp walks off the pitch in front of the exceptionally active Section 101 of the Levi’s Stadium and he pulls his face and points at Divock Origi behind him without turning round.
The face does more than you could imagine. Part mischief, part excitement, part incredulity.
A soupcon of “get on that,”
A sprinkle of “oh hello,”
A slice of “clap him, not me,”
It was quite the face. A face I agree with.
Look, look, it is only a preseason friendly against a Milan side which didn’t look great. But Origi brought Liverpool bang into focus while also being brilliant. If Ojo had released the ball quicker on another couple of occasions, Origi might have had to knock on the Milanese dressing room door with a pen. It was everything you want your centre forward to do, up to and including Origi not being shy of telling Ojo exactly what he thought on a couple of occasions. He brought Firmino to life too.
SANTA CLARA, USA – Saturday, July 30, 2016: Liverpool’s Divock Origi celebrates scoring the first goal against AC Milan during the International Champions Cup 2016 game on day ten of the club’s USA Pre-season Tour at the Levi’s Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool had closed the first half looking significantly the better side, Lallana taking the ball out of Henderson’s path when the captain had burst forward, Mane impressing again with his pace of legs, feet and thought. He forced an excellent save from Gabriel just before the break.
Ragnar Klaven isn’t playing like a man who has come to be fourth choice. There is a lot to be said for low expectations but Klaven has looked good in these two run outs.
Both Lallana and Sturridge never quite felt in the game from my vantage point. And if that is the case it could well be because each needed that bit more from the other.
Milner had been poor at left back but it was his ball to Origi second half which released him for his goal. The Milner conundrum remains that he offers numbers and work rate but you’d like a bit more of something else.
But if that is the biggest conundrum within the current and likely playing staff Klopp has, then I’d say he’s clarified this Liverpool squad. The caveats that it is pre-season notwithstanding, but it feels like the most clearcut options Liverpool have had for a while. The questions suddenly don’t seem to be how to get the best out of Iago Aspas or how to compromise around Albie Riera. They are instead delineated decisions.
We tend to watch pre-season games to get a flavour of what is to come for Liverpool and be excited over new signings or young players. There was a moment in the second half where Lazar Markovic should have scored and he grabbed the net, clearly so frustrated with himself. It was difficult not to feel for him in that moment. It is hard to see him being in Klopp’s plans but you get the suggestion he wants to be. I’d be surprised but this is Markovic’s career on the line to some extent, even at that young an age. There in that moment was how much he wanted it and how he will probably fall short.
Stewart and Alexander-Arnold both did themselves no harm. The latter feels on the cusp of this squad. It could well be that Nathaniel Clyne’s form and fitness record helps Alexander-Arnold. Clyne is a difficult player to deputise as Flanagan’s move away from the club on loan suggests. The notion of a younger lad who would develop with ten senior games seems more likely than Liverpool recruiting a back up.
This is Liverpool’s last game in California. It’s ours in the States. Origi gave these supporters the goal they deserved and the performance we all crave. Section 101 was gloriously lively throughout. This West Coast crowd have grabbed these games and enjoyed them to the full. There is a strange situation where ticket sales may not be what the organisers hope but the location and ticket cost of both of these matches hasn’t been easy from the point of view of grabbing the more casual fan of the sport.
It’s a small shame. Not because the games have been marvellous examples of football but because they have been demonstrations of passion from the Californian contingent. There is seeing something like that which makes you wonder what is going on and how can I become part of it.
Regardless the faithful got what they wanted: goals and a chance to congregate and scream on the Reds.
Goals and a chance to congregate and scream on the Reds. Sounds pretty good that. Can’t wait for Arsenal you know.
Just a correction, Neil. It was Albie Moreno’s superb through ball that set up Origi for his goal, not James Milner. Soz :)
I still don’t get how the majority of TAW guys and clearly a lot of fans are still so down on Markovic. He’s creating chances, getting assists (should’ve had another one for Origi’s wrongly disallowed goal) and generally looking good on and off the ball. For me he’s looked better than Lallana, who has no end product but runs around aimlessly a lot, Or Milner, who does the same but can fill in well as a utility player. Or Ojo, who is a fantastic talent but needs to be nurtured, protected and WILL be very inconsistent one game to the next. Lazar’s the only winger we’ve got who’s, you know, actually good.
The lad’s a kid, he’s been injured most of last season and was a pawn in Brendan’s politics the year before. I remember him constantly being hauled off at half time for no good reason and being slated for Sterling being on his heels and missing the chance against Arsenal. He’s becoming a whipping boy and I fail to see why. Give the lad a proper chance, no politics, no 6 month injuries. Let him have his 12-18 months and then judge. Christ.
I think Neil is probably right and pre-season is the only chance he will get.
There is no way he gets in ahead of any of Lallana, Milner, Mane, Wijnaldum, Coutinho and Firmino. Ojo will probably be preferred over him as well.
All the signs are that Markovic is already for sale, so it looks like it isn’t just Brendan who doesn’t fancy him.
Where are these signs? I don’t see any signs? He’s playing in all the games. Benteke is for sale and isn’t playing. Balotelli is for sale, isn’t playing. Lucas is for sale and played…once before he got injured? Ibe didn’t play, got sold. If he was for sale he’d have played 2 games max back in England and then been told to find a new club. There is no sign that Klopp doesn’t fancy him, unless you know something that hasn’t been in the public domain yet.
And I reckon he is ahead of Lallana and Milner, on the wing at least. And he’s definitely ahead of Ojo who again is still a boy and WILL have bad games as he builds his experience. He can’t be thrown in for 30 odd games and expected to be Ronaldo. We need alternatives.
A year ago it was hard to see where Origi would get minutes, he’d been terrible in France and we had Ings, Firmino, Benteke and Studge to play in his position. Now he’s our best looking striker, because he was given time and help by Klopp. Markovic has all the tools and I like his frustration because he clearly cares about playing well for LFC.
A prediction, Markovic won’t be sold, will play and will score 10 goals this year. I believe in him that much I’m prepared to look like an utter fool if it doesn’t happen. He’s a talented lad who was played with by Rodgers for political gain, he deserves a chance. Maybe I’ being overly emotional about him but seeing him getting hooked at half time every week because Rodgers wanted to say F-U to the owners, while mediocre performing players (looking at you again Adam) got so many chances. It makes me angry just thinking of it.
I really don’t think Markovic is good enough. He’s had his chance to set the team alight,but just doesn’t have it.
He doesn’t put fear in any team and I think Llanna is a much better option.
Not that it’s a huge deal, but just for accuracy’s sake I wanted to point out that Lucas played in all of the preseason games prior to getting injured at Huddersfield.
The signs are that he is getting linked to other teams and the journalists who tend to be most reliable are saying that Liverpool are expected to sell him.
I hope he takes his chance in the remaining pre-season games, but personally I have not seen enough from him to think he has enough confidence to hack it at Liverpool. There aren’t going to be enough games this year to have keep hold of lots of players who are going to be on the fringe, and Klopp is not going to hold on to players who aren’t ready for prime time unless they are from the youth set up and on a development path.
I don’t think Rogers was playing politics with Markovic, he just didn’t fancy him, and 0 goals in 14 league appearances, in an admittedly injury hit season, last year didn’t serve to prove him wrong.
The way I see it is, Klopp didn’t have any chance to see or work with Markovich last season, so he’ll give the boy – who has bags of potential – a shot. Markovich has the preseason and first-half of the season to make his case.
Being Lazar Malkovich
You might be right but I’d rather see Markovic given a chance than have to watch Lallana pirouette for another season.
Origi looked superb. Maybe, in this era of Belgian superstars, we’ve only gone and ended up with the best of the lot. The perfect example of a young player listening and learning his trade the right way. Lovely stuff.
Interesting post just after the ones on Markovic. A year ago Origi seemed miles away. Is hard to see how Markovic will get minutes though, although I like Chris wonder whether he might offer more than Lallana going forward.
I also wonder where Ings will get his games.
With regards to the size of the crowds, three things pop into my mind. 1) American Reds have gotten used to seeing the team every second pre-season and the casuals have seen a flood of other big, European teams looking to exploit their wallets over the past few years, 2) 95,000 Reds filling the MCG 3 years ago has made many assume that similar numbers should be the norm for these overseas friendlies, and 3) the actual numbers are still pretty good in some massive stadiums.
There’s an inversion going on here. As US LFC fans grow more sophisticated, they also become less interested in the mere specticle of a friendly with an Italian sleeper sofa like AC Milan. It is positive growth of the fanbase if you understand it properly.
I wasn’t at the game versus Chelsea. Perhaps that’s more difficult to explain away.
Danny Ings has gone a bit quiet. See him featuring much in a short season for us?
Wasn’t it Moreno who played the ball for Origi’s goal? Milner had pushed on to left of the three by then.
Can’t fathom why Flanno’s gone out on loan when we’re crying out for a quality full back. It’s not like he couldn’t play on the left side, is it?
No way will Markovic play anywhere near as much as Lallana. Fans blinkers on Lallana is strange. I guarantee he will (and should) play more games than he doesn’t this year. He is the transition from midfield to attack, he buys us time when we need it and is capable of assists and goals. His Southampton stats are similar to Mane’s and Winjadum’s. Don’t expect either of them to get such high numbers in their first season. Klopp is clearly a Lallana fan, maybe he plays deeper this year? Personally think he will get a decent return this year. This generations Ronnie Whelan?
Great write up per usual, Neil. Longtime member of the California contingent (30,000 in attendance, and a sea of red jerseys left me also wondering how I can be a part of it???), was half-hoping to catch a glimpse of the TAW crew, more than straining for Klopp even. That’s how much this enterprise matters to us, you guys keep us stateside supporters connected and I wanted to sincerely thank you without overdoing it. Up in Portland now, but family and friends support the club. It seems since the title challenge the fan base has been rejuvenated, and Klopp also a factor, as casual fans seem more energized and organized in the last five years. California knows how to party!
Keep in mind, Cali footy fans get up at 5am and 7am on a regular basis to watch football. I read people complaining when they have to try to get to an kick off that is 1 hour earlier than “normal”.
As a born Scouser I don’t particularly consider that dedication, its just what you do to watch the Reds… but my mates are all converted Yanks, who are up at that time following the Reds every week. They are dedicated.
My ticket for the Rose Bowl game vs Chelsea was $112… and that was down next to the freakin Chav end.
It was 105 degrees Farenheit that day. It had been that temp and more for several weeks.
I drove 1.5 hours to get there from where I live. I got there early…. very very early. All my mates took the day off work… obviously so did LOTS of others.
Those who would not have been able to do this were facing Los Angeles traffic to get to the Rose Bowl from wherever they may live in So Cal (a very large area) (this was clearly an issue since kick off was delayed for near 30 minutes with people still streaming in after kick off)
Parking … $40. Bottle of water $6. Beer $16
Anyone who knows that stadium, knows that it takes nearly 1 hour to get out of the parking lot, onto small side streets (and to add insult to injury half the freeway onramps were closed) so it was well past 1am when I got home, and my mate still had 45minutes to drive with his kid sleeping in the back seat …and work to go to the following day.
For my mate who took his kid … It was an almost $500 day for him, when you factor in food and a couple of shirts.
And perhaps most significantly?…..
There was virtually NO advertising for this game. I do not remember seeing a single ad for it on television, and I watch a fair bit of programming on 3 channels that are almost exclusively footy channels, let alone the dozens of other sports channels.
I do not remember seeing a single billboard for it.
My sister told a “casual footy fan” she works with the following day that I had gone to the game… “I didn’t even know about that. I didn’t see it advertised. I’d have gone if I’d known.”
I was disappointed when I heard the 57,000 attendance announcement (especially as it is a much larger stadium than that, 90k I think), but there were a LOT of factors that went into the low attendance.
Disgusting prices. $40 to park? Seriously.
Chris, Baggio, Igor, some excellent insights posted here re. Markovitch and Lallana – refreshing alternatives from the knee jerk and superficial responses. Dont know how things are going to work out (obviously) but I am more excited about the potential this year than for quite some time.