Liverpool vs. Bournemouth: Lowdown on the Premier League new boys and opposition view on LFC

Ahead of Monday night’s visit of AFC Bournemouth to Anfield, we get the lowdown on the Premier League new boys and the away fans view on Liverpool.

Peter Bell from the Bournemouth website Cherry Chimes provides the answers for us, providing the away fans’ view on the opposition, Liverpool, the season and the match itself.

Welcome to the Premier League! How unexpected / expected was promotion last season?

Well thank you! It’s jolly nice to be rubbing shoulders with the Premier League’s elite teams and I can’t think of a better ground to go to for our first away match.

How unexpected was promotion?

Well if you had asked me after pre-season last year I would have said we’d be in with a shot of the play-offs. But by the time we had a 0-8 win over Birmingham and followed it up by narrow, hard fought seaside win against Brighton, I was already heading down the bookies to get my bet on for the Cherries to go up as Champions.

Luckily Sheffield Wednesday did us a favour against Watford on the last day and we were able to have a massive party at Charlton. It was a truly fantastic season for the Cherries. I loved every minute of it.

What are you most looking forward to about the top flight?

I guess it will be seeing some of the top names like Coutinho, Aguero, Rooney, Sanchez, Costa, and Kane amongst others up close. However, there are also many big grounds that AFC Bournemouth fans have never had the chance to visit.

Anfield I have been to before but I look forward to going to the Etihad, the Emirates and Old Trafford as well as Goodison Park. It is also just great to hear the town of Bournemouth getting so much coverage on TV as well as in the national newspapers – everyone knows where Bournemouth is now if they didn’t before.

What are your expectations for the season?

Well everyone has predicted that Eddie Howe’s team will sink like a stone. I hope people do write us of and the team gives enough teams a shock to stay up.

I believe that there is a good chance of avoiding relegation as the players have been together through the divisions and Howe’s coaching is simply outstanding. The team improves all the time and while we have not got big star names, they are a very good unit together that deserve to have their chance at this level.

We know it will be hard to survive but if they can start getting a few results confidence will grow and I have an optimistic outlook that the Cherries can pick up enough points.

Looking in at Liverpool from the outside, what’s your thoughts on the club in general at the moment?

It’s been a rocky time for Liverpool. I like Brendan Rodgers and think he is a good manager but the pressure on him is massive. I don’t think that the players that the club have signed over the last few seasons have been good enough in the main, which is a pity as I’d like to see them at the top again.

Anfield is a special place and the fans deserve a special team. It was really sad to see all the goings on with Raheem Stirling. I can’t imagine such a situation arising under the watch Bob Paisley, and when you had great leaders like Emlyn Hughes in the side, but we are in a different era now. Players have the power and it can be hard on fans at times to see that their club is not being held up as being special.

I have always loved listening to the Liverpool fans sing on Champions League nights and I truly hope they get back there soon. There are clubs with more money though and bigger stadiums and it’s not going to be easy to catch up. I look forward to the expanded stadium though when it is finally built. I believe that will help your team.

Which of Liverpool’s players do you fear most ahead of Monday’s game?

You would probably think that I would choose a player like Coutinho but if you saw how we lost against Aston Villa then you could perhaps understand that I hope our team pays particular attention to Martin Skrtel and Christian Benteke at corners and free kicks.

We lack some powerful headers of the ball at times and I am hoping that Howe addresses this in his team selection. James Milner is also underrated and I know we have to keep him quiet to have any chance of coming away with a result on the night.

Liverpool have match winners all over the pitch though and any one of them could pop up to give us a torrid night. We have seen a lot of Liverpool over the last years having played them in two cup ties and I did like Markovic. I hope we deal with him better this time. [Ed: don’t worry, there’s no chance he’s playing this time around!]

And which of Bournemouth’s players should Liverpool fear most?

I am not sure fear is the word, but if Callum Wilson can get away from your centre backs he will break his scoring duck in the Premier League. It will happen sooner or later and it just might be his night to grab the headlines.

You’ll also need to look out for Matt Ritchie who looked very comfortable against Aston Villa and is a player that can score from just about every angle. On his day Marc Pugh can also cause problems on the left. Our secret weapon though is Max Gradel who we have not even seen much of yet but he’s quick, tricky and will shoot early if he gets on.

Tactically, how do you expect Eddie Howe to approach the game?

I expect him to set up quite differently to how he set out against Aston Villa at home. He’ll want to try and keep it tight and stay in the game as long as possible. That should mean a formation that is 4-1-4-1.

He’s likely to bring in Sylvan Distin for his size and experience at the back for this match and I can see him playing Eunan O’Kane in front of the back four to block the runs of Coutinho. He could also give Lee Tomlin a debut in midfield with the aim of supply Wilson on the break.

Playing 4-4-2 against Liverpool on the last two occasions has not worked, so while it is not like Howe to go defensive I think it makes sense in this match to try and frustrate. Liverpool will be strong coming forward with Ibe and Lallana probably on the wings, but it will be interesting to see if our full backs can get some joy and make them defend at times.

Being honest though, I don’t expect the Cherries to win this one. Still, you never know.

How annoying is it for your first away game has been scheduled for a Monday night, over 250 miles away?

I was infuriated when Sky announced that they would be moving the game to the Monday night. I wanted to see the game live with my two kids but moving it from a weekend gave us no chance of coming up.

For me, I would have to take at least a half day off work, drive up for some four hours from Redhill (Surrey), which is at least an hour and a half hours less than fans coming from Bournemouth, and after the game I’d still need to drive back and then write up a match report for the blog. I don’t think I would get to bed before 3am or 4am.

I am mad about my club but it’s not really sensible to do when it is now easier to watch the game on TV and have a pint or two with my friends.

What do you expect the Bournemouth starting XI to be?

Boruc (GK), Francis (RB), Elphick (CB), Cook (CB), Daniels (LB), O’Kane (DM), Ritchie (RW), Tomlin (CM), Surman (CM), Pugh (LW), Wilson (FW).

It would mean a big change in Howe’s thinking in bringing in Tomlin instead of Dan Gosling and dropping Josh King in favour of bolstering midfield with O’Kane lying deep, but the Cherries need to try and hold Liverpool and defend well. I do hope we see Tyrone Mings at some point come on to the field along with Max Gradel.

Prediction time; where will our two sides finish in the 2015/16 season?

Liverpool – tricky but I’m going to say 4th

Bournemouth – a very respectable 14th

Thanks to Peter for his answers and best of luck to Bournemouth for the rest of the season in all but their two games at the Reds.

Read our preview from former The Kop Magazine editor Chris McLoughlin here.

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Danny Ings happy to wait for chance at Liverpool

Liverpool striker Danny Ings is having to be patient as he waits for his competitive debut after being denied his first appearance by Philippe Coutinho‘s wonder strike.

The summer signing from Burnley had been given the nod to come on by manager Brendan Rodgers at Stoke last weekend, but as the 23-year-old warmed up his Brazilian team-mate—who he was due to replace—smashed in a brilliant winner.

Ings was told to sit down again and so the only action the England Under-21 international has seen since the season started was in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Welsh side TNS at the club’s Melwood training ground this week, in which he scored.

“I was just itching to get on but you have to be as patient as you can be,” he told LFCTV GO.

“Football can be fantastic when you are playing week in, week out, but the toughest times are when you are not starting every week.

“It is important you keep that strong mentality as it is important you are positive around the group.

“I come in every day with a smile on my face because I know I’m working with good people and fantastic players.

“I try my best not to leave the training pitch without knowing that I’ve improved some part of my game, whether it’s speed, tactical or technical.

“It’s important that I work hard every day to become the best I can be for myself and for Liverpool.

“It’s always important that even if you’re on the bench or not starting games, you’re always ready to be called upon.”

• Read more: Liverpool’s Attacking Width: Who provides it and how can it be maximised?

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Liverpool’s Attacking Width: Who provides it and how can it be maximised?

With attacking options aplenty, Karl Matchett looks at Brendan Rodgers‘ wide attackers and the importance their contributions will make this season.

A few words have been used, in conversation or in articles, to describe the attacking side of Liverpool’s performance in the opening day 1-0 win over Stoke City in the Premier League.

“Mechanical,” “uninspired” and “predictable” are all pretty close to the truth of the matter; in the first hour or so the Reds enjoyed a few spells of possession and moments where spaces opened up for counter-attacks, but it was all very much in straight lines and without any real insight as to how the offensive players might gel as the season goes on.

New signing Christian Benteke led the attack, but aside from the dribbles and subsequent passes from Philippe Coutinho, or the longer, angled balls from deep by Jordan Henderson, there was very little attempt to link up with the new No. 9 from the Reds. The system didn’t help. It left the two central midfielders behind build-up play more often than not, and in the 4-2-3-1 system the two wide players were almost as isolated as Benteke was in the final third.

It is these wide players who, regardless of system, will be key for Liverpool this year. They have to work harder defensively and be able to contribute far more regularly offensively if enough points are to be gained to challenge anywhere near the top four.

Adam Lallana had a poor game, there’s no escaping that. He was loose in possession and found too many blind alleys, didn’t make ground into the penalty area and there was no incisive passing from his side. Opposite him, Jordon Ibe fared better in one-on-one situations—but a lack of mobility inside the penalty area meant his end product was wasted.

The performance was based largely around not losing rather than winning, which is perhaps understandable given a) the amount of mistrust and animosity surrounding Brendan Rodgers over summer, b) the 6-1 mauling at the end of last season against the same opponents and c) the ridiculous run of away games that the Reds start the season with: Stoke, Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City.

The midfield alignment didn’t help matters in Liverpool’s stunted attempts at creating chances; noticeably, the wider attackers only became productive once the second half tactical change was made to move to a 1-2 shape in the centre, with James Milner and Jordan Henderson both pushing on from deep. That allowed not only an extra body to pass to centrally, but much more movement to break Stoke’s defensive lines.

It is to this vertical movement from the central players we must look, to dictate and determine how effective and involved the wider forwards can be.

Options

Lazar Markovic, Jordon Ibe, Adam Lallana and, seemingly, the Brazilian boys.

They are Liverpool’s wide options at the start of this season, with Philippe Coutinho obviously better suited to a central role but an option to feature from the left, as he did in the latter stages against Stoke.

The trait most of these wide players share is, of course, a preference to drift infield and affect the game in the channels and central areas, rather than start from the touchline. The one exception is Ibe, whose acceleration and power makes him ideal to start from so wide and then choose whether to come infield or head for the corner flag. The more space he has behind his immediate defender, the more effective he can be.

Liverpool fans have yet to see enough of Roberto Firmino under Rodgers to ascertain exactly what his instructions and tendencies will be when operating from the wider areas, but clearly he will attempt to make ground inside the penalty area whenever possible. That was something missing from the opening game: runners from the second line partnering up or getting beyond Benteke. The Belgian cannot cover an entire penalty area and at least two defenders by himself, all game long. He shouldn’t have to, either.

It’s yet another reason why the 4-3-3 instead of the 4-2-3-1 is better suited for the Reds with the current playing squad.

Tactical Build-Up

Build-up play for Liverpool under Rodgers revolves heavily around the wide players, but rarely acting as “wingers” of course. Again, that’s almost purely an Ibe-esque trait at this point, who can go either inside or out. Markovic showed similar capacities briefly last season when utilised as a wing-back, but it’s neither a long term option nor what he was brought in to do. It also saw him start those runs from far deeper positions.

The wide forwards, on the counter-attack, are inevitably used as the first out-ball. With Raheem Sterling it was even easier; hit the ball vaguely toward space on the left and he’d get there first. Now others need to provide that same initial acceleration into space, committing a first opponent to shift their position and so either create an additional gap (for a forward to run into, a pass to be played into, etc) or else to force the defending side to adjust and pivot their entire shape.

The quicker those first couple of passes are played (accurately), combined with breaking runners, the more chance there is of Liverpool’s offensive players creating chances on goal. 2014 so often yielded prime examples of this; 2015 most certainly hasn’t, so far at least.

When in general build-up play, those wide players are, instead of an outlet, utilised more as a change of direction. The ball inevitably goes from centre to wide, wide to centre and it seems as if the passage of play is going nowhere in particular—but the wide players need movement to bounce that ball back infield quickly, change the angle of play and create a gap for the next player to shoot or pass from close to goal.

Think back to the 4-2-3-1 of Rafa Benitez; a marauding Steven Gerrard would be on the move, straight through the centre-backs, as soon as the ball went toward an Albert Riera or Dirk Kuyt on the corner of the penalty box. He demanded that the pass was made, first time and fired in, for his sudden burst of pace to take the defensive line out of play.

The current set-up doesn’t have this; instead a Coutinho is more likely to find the through pass himself—or a shot from outside the box, perhaps.

It’s not worse, just different—but again hints at why two on-running central midfielders is of more (attacking) use to Liverpool than a lone No. 10.

Benteke

As for Benteke or whoever else plays centre-forward, in time (and as quickly as possible) they need to understand which runs need to be made depending on which players operate wide. When it’s Ibe, it’s quite clear that once he begins to take on a defender inside the area, the striker must make the near-post run.

Ibe has such good acceleration and control that even with only a couple of yards to the touchline, he’ll back himself to beat a man and dig out a pass. The issue there is that with little space to operate in and no time for additional back-lift, the only place a cross or pass is going is to the start of the six-yard box.

Run across the defender to that near post area and chances will fall Benteke’s way. Stand in the middle of the six-yard box waiting to head in a lofted cross and, more often than not, he’ll be left watching the goalkeeper snaffle up possession unchallenged.

Full Backs

Finally, the full-backs of course also contribute. More and more frequently, we’ll see Nathaniel Clyne starting his run from fairly deep, then accelerating into space inside or outside the wide man. It’s natural that away, on his debut, against a decent side, he held back at times.

The same goes on the other side for Joe Gomez—but pre-season showed Liverpool to deliberately restrain the offensive nature of the left side of defence. Whether a season-long trait, we’ll have to wait and see, but Clyne certainly should offer both a counter-attacking outlet and a build-up option, either as a decoy or on the run for a quick ball infield.

Next up is Bournemouth on Monday. A home match against a newly promoted team, who lost on the opening day, is in theory a match Liverpool should be looking to be more expansive in, able to create more and be heavily dominant in.

Given the opening day performances, we should expect at least one change from the wide starters. Their contribution and consistency will be key throughout the season and aiding the goals tally, not just chance creation, is what can keep each of them in the side just as much as individual brilliance in possession.

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Anfield’s Opening Game: New Season, New Signings, New Expectations?

Former Kop Magazine editor Chris McLoughlin looks ahead to Monday night’s first home game of the season against newly promoted AFC Bournemouth.

Every year when the first Anfield game of a new season comes around I feel exactly the same. It doesn’t matter how old I am. It matters not that I’ve been there more times than I can count. It doesn’t even matter if the opponents are TNS in the first preliminary qualification round of a big cup competition we’ve just won.

The buzz I get from stepping inside Anfield for the first time of a new campaign never dissipates. It’s an expensive legal high these days, but when watching Liverpool FC is your choice of adrenaline shot you’ll always have a price to pay. Financially and emotionally.

It’s the first glimpse of that luscious green grass – grass that looks greener in August than it does in May – that I’ll be dreaming of on Sunday night. That glimmer of the pitch when you’re in the concourse before kick-off is Anfield’s cleavage. A seductive, enticing prospect that sends a surge through red-blooded veins. It’s good to be home after three months away.

But this season, things are different. There’s a huge element of not knowing what to expect on Monday night. And not just on the pitch.

A 1-0 win at Stoke won’t have the ‘In Rodgers We Truss’ banners hanging from the frame of the new Main Stand, but it isn’t half going to feel weird sat inside Anfield with the giant new structure looming over us having walked past a new hospitality marquee that is being erected outside while work is ongoing.

I sit in the Paddock so I’m half expecting to be issued with a high-vis jacket and hardhat when I go through the turnstiles, but I’m reliably assured that the This Is Anfield matchday programme will still be on sale from the kiosks rather than copies of the Wickes catalogue.

Of course, another summer of new signings means there will be plenty of changes on the pitch too, but while it promises to be a big night for Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and co it will also be an important evening for Jordan Henderson.

He’s skippered the Reds at Anfield before in Steven Gerrard‘s absence, but against Bournemouth he’ll lead the side out for the first time in a home game knowing that the job – and the responsibilities that come with it – belong to him on a full-time basis.

The manner in which he leads the team will inevitably be subject to plenty of analysis in the coming months, particularly if, sorry, when games are lost, but the biggest task for Henderson is ensuring his form doesn’t suffer.

Some players, Gerrard for example, thrive with the armband on. Others don’t. The changing nature of who was playing alongside him was a significant factor, but I never felt Sami Hyypia was quite at his consistent best in 2002/03 – and the start of 2003/04 – when he became club captain.

Henderson’s form will, naturally, now be compared to how it was before he replaced Gerrard as top dog in the dressing room and that is something he will have to deal with.

Is he up to the task? Only time will tell, but when you read Henderson’s programme notes for Monday’s game you’ll be encouraged by what he has to say as he is taking nothing – including his place in the side – for granted. Which is something that should also apply when considering the outcome of Liverpool v Bournemouth.

Should the Redmen beat newly promoted opponents having strengthened the squad this summer with several new signings and having kicked things of with an optimism lifting away win?

Well yes. But then I was thinking exactly the same thing when I walked into Anfield on August 14, 1999 after we’d won 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on the opening weekend only to see Liverpool beaten 1-0 by Watford.

Getting stung by the Hornets made that first home game buzz wear off very quickly and I’m all for early season optimism lasting as long as it can so three points is a must against the Cherries. Because things will start to get a lot harder a week on Monday…

Chris McLoughlin
@TheKopMagazine

• The new-look This Is Anfield matchday programme is available at the ground on matchdays, from official Liverpool FC club shops or to order from http://ift.tt/1ErA0iV.

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Mario Balotelli to get Liverpool loyalty bonus

Mario Balotelli: Set for six-figure windfall

Unwanted striker Mario Balotelli is reportedly due to collect a six-figure loyalty bonus for staying at Liverpool.

Balotelli has been forced to train with the Liverpool youth players, away from the first-team squad, as Brendan Rodgers desperately looks to move him on.

One option is to loan out Balotelli on a season-long deal, making a contribution to the player's wages. That's a similar agreement to the one Manchester City did with Emmanuel Adebayor.

However, Rodgers has another reason for trying to move Balotelli out of the club during this summer. The Daily Mirror reveal that the Italian will be due a substantial loyalty bonus should he remain at Anfield after the end of the current transfer window. 

That would smart considerably, given the manner in which Balotelli's relationship with his manager has soured.

The Mirror also write that 'Sources close to the controversial player insist that no matter how far into the wilderness he is thrust, he is prepared to stick it out at Anfield and pick up his pay-cheques'. That seems like something a source close to Liverpool would say, not Balotelli.

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Juventus join the chase for Lucas Leiva

Lucas Leiva’s Liverpool future has been thrown into further doubt, with Juventus now reported to be interested in signing the midfielder.

According to Paul Joyce of the Express, one of the most reliable Liverpool-based journalists, Juventus have joined Serie A rivals Inter Milan in expressing interest in taking Lucas to Italy.

Inter tried to sign the Brazilian in January but a deal didn’t materialise as Liverpool needed him at a time when he had just found his way back in the side.

It’s reported that the 28-year-old is seen as a potential alternative to Schalke’s highly-rated youngster Julian Draxler, as the Old Lady look to fill the void left in midfield by the departed duo of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal.

Lucas’ future at Anfield has been up in the air for a couple of years now, with the defensive midfielder close to leaving the Reds on several occasions.

This time it really does feel like his eight-year stay on Merseyside is coming to an end though, with a reported bust-up with Brendan Rodgers the main reason behind it.

Lucas is currently Liverpool’s longest serving player, ahead of Martin Skrtel, and has made 275 appearances for the club since joining from Gremio in 2007.

OPINION: Why the time is right for Lucas to leave LFC

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Pedro Chirivella: The lowdown on Liverpool’s Spanish academy star

One of the stars of Liverpool’s impressive academy setup, Pedro Chirivella seems destined for success. Jack Lusby profiles the Spaniard.

Jordan Rossiter may be the first name to spring to mind as the next potential star to rise from the Liverpool youth-team ranks, but Spanish midfielder Chirivella may just eclipse the young Scouser.

With Reds manager Brendan Rodgers a strong advocate of youth development and supplementing his first team with players from the academy, Chirivella stands a strong chance of success at Anfield.

But just who is Chirivella, and could he make the step up at Liverpool?

Pedro Chirivella

Chirivella joined Liverpool from La Liga outfit Valencia in the summer of 2013.

The then-16-year-old signed a long-term deal, setting him up for progress through the youth ranks and into Rodgers’ first team.

The club moved to aid the Spaniard’s transition in Liverpool by accommodating his family, as well as providing them with work.

Having enhanced his reputation as a burgeoning talent with Valencia, Chrivella reportedly turned down a move to Barcelona in 2011—such is his talent and high-end potential, the midfielder was coveted as a crucial member of the Catalan club’s La Masia setup.

Growing up a Real Madrid supporter, Chirivella lists former Los Merengues midfielder Zinedine Zidane as his footballing idol.

Barcelona duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta are also clear inspirations for the 18-year-old, who has acclimatised well at the Liverpool academy’s Kirkby facility—saying all the right things, he also cited former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso as a key influence in 2014.

He swiftly established himself within Liverpool’s youth sides, captaining the Reds in 2013’s Milk Cup.

In 2014/15, Chirivella made seven appearances for the Under-21s in the Premier League and a further five as the young Reds battled in the UEFA Youth League. However, his campaign was curtailed by several injuries.

Chirivella will be hoping to put these issues behind him as he builds towards a first-team role on Merseyside.

Playing Style, Strengths and Weaknesses

Though Zidane, Iniesta and Xavi are his idols, Chirivella much more closely resembles another La Liga star: Barcelona defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets.

An archetypal No.6, Chirivella regularly plays at the base of the midfield for Liverpool’s U21s, breaking up play with intelligent movement and maintaining possession with a composure beyond his years.

He will rarely score or assist, but that is beyond his remit as a deep-lying playmaker; though it must be stressed, he is not a tackle-happy midfielder like Lucas Leiva.

Instead, like Busquets, he is the U21s’ safety blanket: a player that links the rest of the team together.

“I’m a player who can pass the ball really [well], and can read the game,” Chirivella said in 2014, outlining his attributes to The Redmen TV’s Paul Machin.

“I think I’m very good tactically.

“The thing I have to improve is [my physicality].”

As the player himself alludes, he is relatively slight. At 5’10” and with a lean frame, Chirivella will need to bulk up before he can truly break out into the Liverpool first team.

Furthermore, as his time with the Reds so far has been peppered with injury problems, this will also require monitoring.

Nevertheless, Chirivella’s quality—in understanding space both on and off the ball, maintaining possession with short passes and prompting attacks with long balls—has pushed him into Rodgers’ thinking.

“Every time I go [to Melwood] and train, he is always very good with me,” Chirivella continued to tell Machin on his relationship with the manager.

“He always asks how I am here in England, how I am doing.

“It’s very good for the young players to come to Melwood and feel at home.”

Not content with calling Chirivella up for regular training sessions at Melwood, however, Rodgers saw fit to include the Spaniard—along with a clutch of other bright academy talents such as Rossiter and left-back Joe Maguire—in his squad for the Reds’ pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia.

His first taste of senior action with Liverpool, Chirivella’s second-half substitute’s appearance against HJK Helsinki on the Reds’ return from tour saw him impress further.

In a short, 10-minute display, Chirivella looked comfortable alongside his more experienced team-mates, offering a consistent outlet off the ball and recycling possession assuredly.

This performance saw him pair his raw qualities with a comfortability on a more demanding stage.

But, given this was a mere pre-season encounter, can Chirivella translate this ability and make an impact on the Liverpool first team in the future?

Can Chirivella Make an Impact at Liverpool?

“In very little time we will see Pedro Chirivella, Sergi Canos or Madger in the first team, and some of them playing regularly,” said Liverpool’s chief Spanish scout, David Vizcaino, earlier in 2015.

“Just talking about Pedro Chirivella gives me goosebumps. In England there would have to be 100 Pedro Chirivellas in order to revolutionise English football.

“Chirivella is football, he is intelligence, control, technique, personality. I expect great things from him.”

Vizcaino’s gushing praise should underline one thing: if Chirivella follows the trajectory that his potential has set out, he will be a key player for Liverpool in the future.

That Rodgers included the midfielder in his squad for Liverpool’s pre-season tour suggests he also sees a future for Chirivella at the club.

“It’s something I will never forget,” Chirivella declared on his return.

“I went with the first team and made my first-team debut with all of the players. It was really nice and I won’t forget it.”

Opportunities may be scant in the 2015/16 season, with the likes of James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can firm fixtures in Rodgers’ starting lineup, while Rossiter and Joe Allen will serve as backup.

But there may well be a route into Rodgers’ first-team thinking by impressing in domestic cup competitions and, as ever, for the U21s.

Whether he will develop into the next Alonso remains to be seen, but Chirivella certainly has the talent to do so.

• More from the academy: 5 Liverpool under-21 players to watch out for in 2015/16

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Philippe Coutinho dropped from Brazil squad

He was Liverpool’s matchwinner on Sunday but Philippe Coutinho has bizarrely been dropped by Brazil coach Dunga for their internationals next month.

In fact, days after Brazilian legend Kaka said that Coutinho can be a “very important player for Liverpool and Brazil”, it’s Kaka who has taken his place in the squad for the games against Costa Rica and USA in September.

Attempting to justify the decision, Dunga said: “We gave him a chance at the Copa America.

“You can’t just build with just youngsters, you need experience to help.”

Coutinho’s new club teammate, Roberto Firmino, is named in the squad for the games in early September (yes, there’s an international break to disrupt the season after three games).

Coutinho started three of Brazil’s Copa America games, missing one only due to injury.

SEE ALSO: “You can build a team around one great player” – Kaka on Coutinho as LFC’s new main man

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Moreno and Lallana discuss different starts to their second season at Liverpool

Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno has pleged to get through his difficult start to the season after falling out of favour with manager Brendan Rodgers.

Since being hauled off at half-time of the 6-1 defeat at Stoke on the final day of last season the Spaniard, a £12million signing from Sevilla just over 12 months ago, has made just two starts – one of which he was substituted in – and one appearance off the bench in five pre-season friendlies.

He has been overtaken in the pecking order at left-back by Joe Gomez, a new arrival from Charlton, despite the 18-year-old favouring the centre or right of the defence.

Moreno admits he found his first year difficult to adapt but hopes to be able to win back his place in the side. “I realised what a great club this is right away,” he told Marca.

“The first year was difficult because of the language issue and moving away from home but I made 41 appearances, which is pretty good for my age and a club of Liverpool’s stature.

“I’d like to be a regular in the starting line up, to play as many games as possible.”

While Moreno is out of favour with Rodgers that is nothing compared to Mario Balotelli, who has not even featured in any squad since the defeat to relegated Hull at the end of April and was left behind for the club’s tour of Asia and Australia.

The Italy international has been criticised for his attitude and his performances since his £16million move from AC Milan almost a year ago but Moreno has some sympathy for the striker, who turned 25 on Wednesday.

SEE ALSO: Journalist lifts the lid on Balotelli’s training ground behaviour

“I think he’s unfairly maligned,” the defender added. “He’s a very relaxed guy. He never bothers anyone. He could be a great striker. He’s got the tools.

“Things haven’t gone well for him here. He’s really struggled to score goals. ‘This had never happened to me before,’ he told me.”

A year could not have made more of a difference for Adam Lallana, however, as he looks to make the most of a full pre-season.

The England international sustained a knee injury shortly after his move from Southampton last summer and that delayed his debut until mid-September but he continued to struggle with niggling injuries, partly due to him missing some of pre-season.

But the 27-year-old feels totally different this year. “I am in great shape at the minute. I have not missed a training session or a game to date and I feel I’ve massively benefited for that,” he told LFCTV GO.

“Any professional will tell you being on the treatment bed is not any good for you as when you are away from the group it is not easy to integrate.

“I want to have a good season and do well and add more goals to my game and I feel if I stay fit and out on the pitch then that is what I’ll get.

“I’ve set myself personal targets and I will just be looking to contribute as much as I can towards the team.

“It could be a 60-game season and I feel we have a great squad. The competition for places keeps everyone on their toes and no-one should be guaranteed a place in the team.”

OPINION: Lallana faces fight for first-team spot at Liverpool

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Lucas leaving Liverpool: Why it’s the right time for player and club

Lucas Leiva has been strongly linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer, and Jack Lusby advocates the long-serving midfielder’s departure.

The likely departure of Lucas this summer will come as a blow to sections of the Liverpool support, but after eight years on Merseyside, now is the right time for the Brazilian to head for pastures new.

Lucas has been linked with a move as Brendan Rodgers‘ side enters the 2015/16 campaign, following his omission from the manager’s match-day squad for the season opener away to Stoke City.

Whether suggestions of a “fall-out” are accurate or not, Lucas’ marginalisation at Anfield indicates that this juncture is the perfect time for a clean break.

Lucas leaving Liverpool will suit both parties this summer.

The 28-year-old has slowly become a fans’ favourite during his time with Liverpool.

Moving from Brazilian side Gremio in 2007, in a deal worth £5 million, Lucas joined as a precocious 20-year-old, eager to make his name in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

“It was very hard,” he recalled in 2012. “Everyone knows that my beginning here wasn’t easy.

“I didn’t feel ready for the Premier League, even physically. But I was persistent and now I feel I have more than adapted, like a player made for the Premier League.

“I try to play with lots of intensity and strength, but without forgetting the technique I learnt in Brazil.”

That technique saw him grow up as a box-to-box midfielder, more likely to trouble the opposition’s defence than support his own.

But it was in defensive midfield that Lucas made his name on Merseyside—”a way for me to feel more comfortable,” he attests.

This didn’t stop him from becoming the first Brazilian to score for Liverpool when his 25-yard strike soared beyond Kevin Scriven and into the Havant & Waterlooville to help the Reds to a 5-2 win in the 2007/08 FA Cup fourth round.

In 275 appearances for Liverpool, however, Lucas has scored just five more goals—he is very much a defensive midfielder, and that has perhaps held him back under the likes of Rodgers and Rafa Benitez.

Lucas is a limited player: a tough tackler and a diligent defensive shield, but lacking dynamism in the deep-lying role.

He plays with passion and that, along with his infectious personality and dressing-room influence, has made him a popular character for supporters and players alike.

But in modern, top-level football this must be paired with technique.

He is no Javier Mascherano, and he is no Emre Can.

As Rodgers enters his fourth campaign as Liverpool manager, it is clear that this is the calibre of midfielder he wants to shield his back four.

“Can is viewed as being very capable of playing that holding role,” the Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce declared at the beginning of August.

He later added: “Rodgers in his time at Liverpool has never really gone in for the archetypal defensive midfielder.”

Can, signed for £10 million last summer, is a different entity to Lucas.

At just 21 years old, he possesses the raw potential to develop into one of the world’s best midfielders, but also the immediate ability to perform both as a box-to-box midfielder or—as Rodgers believes—a holding option.

The German is a comfortable amalgamation of a 20-year-old Lucas and that of today—except he isn’t plagued with injury.

Lucas’ downfall will largely be attributed to his many injury issues, and that has seen him fall from one of the Premier League’s finest defensive midfielders, under Benitez, to an expendable option.

As Rodgers assessed his strongest midfield options this summer, Lucas will have been towards the bottom of the list: Can, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Joe Allen point towards a more progressive future for the Reds in the middle of the park.

There is a convincing argument to suggest that Lucas—as Liverpool’s only specialist defensive midfielder—should remain within Rodgers’ ranks.

But, as Pearce attests, a destroyer-type has never been in the manager’s tactical remit.

The player that was awarded Liverpool’s Player of the Year award for the 2010/11 season is no more.

Detached from romance and sentimentality, now is the right time for Lucas to leave—but where could he go this summer?

Last season, Lucas was blocked from joining both Napoli (season-long loan) and Inter Milan (January transfer), and a new home in Serie A may be the most sensible option for the midfielder.

The Italian league is renowned for its slower pace, with more emphasis on a tactical, defensive game.

Last season, for example, AC Milan found a regular home for both Nigel de Jong and Michael Essien, while Inter’s midfield featured the prowling Gary Medel.

Napoli’s regular defensive midfielder is ageing Swiss star Gokhan Inler, and Lucas would provide the Naples club with a useful, competitive option.

The Brazilian would likely thrive in Serie A, but what about elsewhere?

West Ham United are one of the clubs to have reportedly expressed interest in signing Lucas this summer, with a proposed deal to sign free agent Joey Barton falling through.

This raises the question of whether the Liverpool man could excel elsewhere in the Premier League.

When he was utilised by Rodgers in 2014/15, Lucas still performed to a high standard—he was a key feature as the manager looked to stabilise his side towards the end of 2014.

His physicality and composure does suit the intensity of the league, and Lucas would significantly bolster the starting lineups of West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, Sunderland, Watford and the Hammers.

It would not be remiss, either, to suggest he could play a key role at the top end of Ligue 1, or at any La Liga club beyond their top three of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

He should not be short of options this summer.

Lucas is far from over the hill, but with Liverpool moving in a different, more dynamic direction this season, he would be right to leave in search of first-team football.

• Read more: Exploring how Liverpool could replace Lucas Leiva this season

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