Liverpool FC: Regeneration

I'm sure all Liverpool fans will be screaming for you to get rid!

Promising: Adam Lallana's Pre-Season Performances Left an Impression on Fans in Preseason

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In the wake of controversial comments from the FA about a lack of investment in youth development, Liverpool's pre-season featured performances from several academy products, all of whom impressed over the 9 games which Klopp's men played in July and August.

As well as taking their time to settle in as a squad and get match-fit, Liverpool also added two new young faces to their squad:

ST - Patrick Cutrone (18) - AC Milan - £1.1m
Cutrone joined from AC Milan in the wake of a friendly game in which he scored a hat-trick against his new club. Klopp insisted that the transfer was not simply a case of Liverpool buying the players who beat them, but rather "a smart investment in a youngster with incredible talent and potential"

MC - Jermaine Anderson (20) - Peterborough - £3.3m
Some feel that Liverpool overspent bringing Anderson to the club, but having scored 4 goals in 14 matches last season, Anderson does have the potential to become something special, especially in an environment where he can learn from greats such as Henderson and Gerrard, while also developing at the highest level.


With the squad more or less settled, and Klopp unlikely to bring in any more new faces, Liverpool set off on their string of 9 pre-season matches, facing off against mixed opposition, and generally faring relatively well.

5-1 v Liverpool U23
Henderson, Can, Coutinho, Alexander-Arnold, Origi
Phillipe Coutinho (8.2)

0-0 v Inter Milan
N/A
Ragnar Klavan (7.7)

1-0 v AZ
Coutinho
Dejan Lovren (7.3)

5-1 v Roma
Origi (x2), Lallana (x2), Ings
Divock Origi (8.8)

3-1 v AC Milan
Lovren
Dejan Lovren (7.8)

2-0 v Macclesfield
Alexander-Arnold, Ojo
Sheyi Ojo (7.8)

1-0 v Colorado Springs
Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.8)

4-0 Racing Santander
Llorca (og), Matip, Santamaria (og), Can
Joel Matip (7.8)

6-0 v Farense
Lovren (x2), Sturridge (x2), Coutinho, Azvedo (og)
Adam Lallana (9.2)

Player of the Month: Adam Lallana

Lallana made an incredible contribution this month, bringing an attacking spark to the Liverpool side and scoring key goals at key times to keep the momentum going in important matches.

Young Player of the Month: Trent Alexander-Arnold

The young right-back was influential in several matches, providing assists and an electric injection of creativity to the Liverpool attack, which often combined with the in-form Lallana to devastating effect. A good month for a youngster who will hope to challenge for a first-team place this season.

Some under the radar signings but not under the radar results! Keep it up!

Making Up: Moreno has started the season full of life and promise, and improved performances.

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An Unbeaten start to the season was exactly what the doctor ordered for Liverpool: Fans were disgruntled with the lack of spending late in the window, as Klopp added only two youngsters to the already confirmed summer signings of Mane, Matip, Klavan Karius and Wijnaldum. The Liverpool support had been dreaming of a multitude of international stars, and yet there was no further movement in the transfer window, while on the other side of the Penines, Manchester United had just resigned Paul Pogba for £89m!

Despite the lack of extra spend, Klopp's side looked assured and confident when they took to the field for the season opener, and that confidence and belief carried through all of their performances, regardless of who was on the pitch. This is a team playing as a collective, and on early impressions, the whole is far greater than the sum of it's parts.

0-0 v Tottenham
N/A
Alberto Moreno (7.5)

3-0 v Hull
Sturridge, Origi (x2)
Divock Origi (8.5)

3-2 v Huddersfield
Cutrone, Lallana, Phillips
Adam Lallana (9.0)

2-0 v Bournemouth
Coutinho, Lallana
Alberto Moreno (8.1)

Player of the Month: Adam Lallana

It was a tough choice this month between Lallana and a resurgent Alberto Moreno, but Lallana's attacking contribution of 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 starts saw him edge out the Spaniard, despite Moreno's two Man of the Match Award. Since Pre-Season, Lallana has displayed a newfound confidence on the ball, and that allows him to beat his man, improves his final ball, and generally turns him into a player that opposition defences need to stop.

Young Player of the Month: Divock Origi

Origi picked up the Premier League's Young Player of the Month award, and has also collected the club award for the same category. With two goals in two appearances, and an average rating of 7.5, Origi was Liverpool's Impact player this month: both of his appearances were off the bench, and in both he was involved in at least 1 goal. Definitely a good month for the youngster, and Klopp must now decide if he is going to have a run of starts in the team, or if faith will be kept with usual first teamers Sturridge and Firmino

ALBERTOOOOOOOO!

A fantastic start to the season for you there. Moreno has certainly shut me up...

Nice start to the season!

Nice to see Moreno improving his form and Adam Lallana playing as well for you as he has done irl!

Example: James Milner was one bright spot in an otherwise poor month for Liverpool.

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Liverpool faced arguably the most difficult month of the season, facing Arsenal in both league and cup, and also travelling to Manchester to face United, and London to face Chelsea.

Klopp's men were far from inspiring, losing their unbeaten start to the season, and managing only one win from the four games. Klopp acknowledged that his team's performances were not good enough, and vowed that "We will not allow this form to continue; the fans deserve better and this great club deserves better: I have spoken to the boys and they are ready to turn it around right now."

1-1 v Arsenal
Mane
Dejan Lovren (7.8)

1-0 v Manchester United
N/A
Alberto Moreno (6.9)

5-2 v Arsenal
Milner (3), Klavan, Ings
James Milner (9.6)

1-0 v Chelsea
N/A
Joel Matip (7.1)

Player of the Month: James Milner

Despite an overall poor month, James Milner stood out as one of Liverpool's most consistent performers, and his hat-trick against Arsenal was critical in securing the team's progression in the league cup. Milner's level headed midfield play was a big factor in limiting the damage against both United and Chelsea, despite poor results, and with younger team-mates around him, that experience and maturity proved invaluable.

Young Player of the Month: Divock Origi

Not quite the electric month he had in August, but Origi once again takes home the club's Young Player of the Month award, for his creative play in high-pressure situations, and the problem he poses to opposition defences, even if he can't find the back of the net.

Milner? Level-headed? Surely not :joy:

That Milner hat trick though!

Not the best of months but great to see Milner showing the rest of the squad how it's done!

A very difficult month to be fair, never mind. I'm sure next month will be a lot more successful.

Breakout: Divock Origi continued his scintillating form through October.

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Following a difficult September, Liverpool roared back into form in emphatic fashion, and dragged themselves into the Top 4 heading into November and December, which could prove to be the key months of the season, particularly with Liverpool just 6 points behind League leaders Chelsea, and 4 behind second-placed Southampton.

Divock Origi was again the star of the show, continuing the scintillating form which has seen him race to the top of Liverpool's top scorers, and got pundits talking about a 'breakthrough' season in just his second year at the club.

Alongside Origi, new boy Saido Mane had a great month, providing multiple assists and causing issues on the right side of the Liverpool midfield. It really felt and looked as if Liverpool really clicked this month, and fans are sure to hope that this hot streak of form continues.

5-0 v Manchester City
Firmino (3), Phillips, Moreno
Alberto Moreno (9.2)

1-1 v Swansea
Grujic
Marko Grujic (8.5)

4-1 v Watford
Coutinho (2), Mane, Origi
Saido Mane (9.5)

3-1 v Swindon
Origi, Ojo (x2)
Sheyi Ojo (9.3)

2-2 v Everton
Coutinho, Origi
Ragnar Klavan (7.7)

Player of the Month: Divock Origi

A blinding month for Origi has seen him move up and take the overall Player of the Month award, after two months as Young Player of the Month. Origi outshone a lot of senior squad members, scoring 3 goals in 3 appearances coming off of the bench. Key performances, and critical goals, mean that Origi is quickly becoming one of the most loved players at Anfield

Young Player of the Month: Sam Hart

Despite not setting the pitch alight when he played, Sam Hart was a solid performer in his two starts this month, providing a solid anchoring presence at left-back, which allowed either Coutinho or Ojo (depending on who started) to roam forwards and offer some serious creative pressure, without the threat of the team being caught out on the break. Solid in defence, and careful with his passing, Hart had an excellent month, and proved an efficient understudy to Alberto Moreno.

That win against Man City though!