Thursday 13 August 2015 10:35, UK
Liverpool fielded five new signings in their 1-0 win at Stoke City.
Full-backs Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne, midfielder James Milner and striker Christian Benteke were all handed starting spots, while Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino came off the bench with 12 minutes to play.
Here we take a look at how Liverpool’s new boys fared…
Joe Gomez
The task of marking Stoke’s Jonathan Walters at the Britannia Stadium was no easy introduction to Premier League football for 18-year-old Joe Gomez but the former Charlton defender dealt with the challenge admirably.
There were moments where his inexperience told – a mistimed aerial challenge against Walters led to a Stoke chance, while in trying to prevent a second-half corner he nearly teed up Mame Biram Diouf – but Gomez didn’t look out of place. He met the physical challenge head-on and showed his footballing ability by bringing the ball out from the back with confidence.
“Gomez has handled Walters – who is a nightmare to play against – very well. He’s looked very assured,” said Jamie Carragher – a man who knows a thing or two about defending for Liverpool.
James Milner
More ground covered, more tackles made and more ‘good’ crosses into the Stoke box than any other Liverpool player – James Milner did what James Milner does on his debut for the Reds.
The 29-year-old wasn’t at his absolute best – a poor touch in the Stoke box in the first half saw a good opening spurned and an over-hit long ball to Christian Benteke needlessly gave possession back to the hosts – but Milner added bite in the centre of the park.
The England international picked up a yellow card for a fierce tackle on Charlie Adam and left Ibrahim Afellay needing treatment after an aerial clash. He made his mark on the game – and several Stoke players.
Nathaniel Clyne
A busy debut at right-back for Nathaniel Clyne could have been capped with an assist had he been able to find a Liverpool shirt when he was sent into the area by Jordon Ibe in the second half. However, the former Southampton full-back can be satisfied with his opening effort.
The 24-year-old had more touches of the ball than any Liverpool player (83) and only Jordan Henderson and Milner made more passes. Defensively, a brave block on a rasping Afellay volley could have proved crucial.
However, Liverpool supporters will hope for more attacking contributions from their new right-back against Bournemouth next time out – Clyne didn’t attempt a single cross against Stoke.
Christian Benteke
“I thought Christian was outstanding. His touch, his hold up play, his movement in behind… he occupies a whole back four on his own at times.” Brendan Rodgers heaped plenty of praise on his new £32.5m striker after the final whistle.
While Benteke wasn’t able to mark his first Premier League appearance for Liverpool with a goal - he only managed one shot, which was blocked - his impact on Liverpool’s play was clear.
In this same fixture 11 weeks ago, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet made 10 long passes. On Sunday he made 24, with Benteke receiving more passes from the shot-stopper than any other Liverpool player.
For Graeme Souness, it was refreshing to see Liverpool – renowned for their short-passing under Rodgers - alter their tactics.
“Now they have an alternative they should use it,” he said. “You must mix your game up. If you become too predictable and it’s rolled out every time from the back, the opposition midfield will be on you and keep you in there. You end up making all your passes in your own half or on the halfway line.
“Everyone is obsessed with playing like Barcelona today. But not everyone has an Andres Iniesta or a Xavi. That’s the correct way to go about your business if you have Benteke.”
Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino’s Copa America exploits for Brazil mean he is some way behind the majority of his team-mates in terms of pre-season fitness – hence his starting spot on the bench – but the 23-year-old’s enthusiasm to make his mark was plain to see.
Introduced on 78 minutes, Firmino frantically burst down the right seconds after coming on, twice accidentally tripping his marker Steve Sidwell in the process.
A lofted left-foot pass over the top of the Stoke defence, searching for Henderson, hinted at the class the former Hoffenheim attacker has in his locker. But we will have to wait a little longer to see Firmino at full tilt.
