Liverpool vs. Thai All-Stars: Lessons Learned from Pre-Season Friendly

Liverpool got their 2015-16 season up and running on Tuesday with their first pre-season fixture, a game against Thai All-Stars that marked the beginning of their tour of Asia.

The Reds fielded 22 different players, a different team in each half, as Brendan Rodgers went for a mix of established players, new signings and youth prospects in a routine 4-0 win in which Lazar Markovic, Mamadou Sakho, Adam Lallana and Divock Origi all scored.

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The #LFC line-ups for each half against the True Thai Premier League All Stars in Bangkok #LFCTour pic.twitter.com/p8tuIcNvRs

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 14, 2015"

It's only the first of several summer games for the Reds, and not too much should be assumed based on a game against inferior opponents, but there are a few takeaways regardless, both concerning the team and the summer overall.

Tour Players Hint at Systems

Rodgers' decision to field, and name in advance, two different lineups meant a change in attack in terms of shape. With Mario Balotelli on compassionate leave, Daniel Sturridge injured, Fabio Borini ignored and left in Liverpool, Raheem Sterling on the verge of sealing a move away and Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho on extended leave after the Copa America, Rodgers had three strikers to pick from.

Danny Ings, Rickie Lambert and Origi were Liverpool's recognised forwards, and the former two were paired in a two-man attack ahead of a diamond midfield for the first half.

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Meanwhile, Origi was flanked by Jordon Ibe and Adam Lallana after the break in a 4-3-3.

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Given the constant switches from the Reds last season, tactically speaking, Rodgers must use the coming weeks to establish a primary base of formations—and so far, the summer signings indicate that a diamond midfield with two in attack might be the best option.

It best fits the current squad, it's something the players are comfortable with and it coincided with the best spell of football and results under Rodgers.

Areas Still Need Depth

There is a long way to go this summer in terms of pre-season games and the transfer market, but there are still a couple of areas Liverpool need to beef up before September.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Another striker is still required, and Christian Benteke seems the prime candidate, per the Liverpool Echo. Someone with strength, pace and an aversion to the treatment table would obviously be ideal for the club.

Away from the front line, a left-back should be a high priority. Andre Wisdom generally plays right or central, but he has filled in on the left, while Joe Maguire did fairly well in the second half but isn't expected to challenge this season.

Jose Enrique has not even been included in the tour squad and Alberto Moreno is the only established and fit player for that role, with Jon Flanagan set to miss most of the season.

A holding midfielder wouldn't go amiss either, but that has been the case for years and doesn't appear likely to change—aside from a strange link with Gary Medel, per Fichajes.net (h/t Metro).

If the 4-3-3 is to be an oft-used system, then a top-drawer wide attacker might be nice, but it just doesn't seem to jell, considering Coutinho, Henderson, Firmino and at least one striker have to fit in the side regularly while Lallana, Ibe, Markovic and others also push for spots.

Impressive Shows from New Faces

In the first 45 minutes, it was encouraging to see a feisty and inventive opening from Joao Teixeira after a broken leg ended his loan spell at Brighton last term. He was impressive on the ball, clocked up assists for both of the first two goals and generally looked in good shape.

Sakchai Lalit/Associated Press

At right-back, Joe Gomez—a new signing from Charlton—looked strong defensively and got forward to good effect a couple of times. Ings was also bright and showed good movement, though he was unlucky to have a perfectly good goal chalked off.

After a year on loan at Lille, Liverpool fans finally got to see Origi in action, and he had a few bright moments, striking the post twice and finally heading in his first goal for the club late on.

The Belgian would perhaps be better suited to a two-man front line, working the channels and using his pace rather than trying to lead the attack alone through the middle, but in either case, it was a good run out for him, and he'll be pleased to be off the mark.

He certainly impressed Rodgers, who said: "Divock, I thought he was excellent. You can see his movement and what really pleased me tonight was his persistence. He had a couple of chances that he missed that he would want to score. But he kept going, he was very positive, and obviously he showed how good he is in the air."

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Origi First Goal for Liverpool https://t.co/cWu8eEFbVq

— MostarLFC (@MostarLFC) July 14, 2015"

All told, it was a fine initial workout for Liverpool, who now head off to Australia for a match with the Brisbane Roar on Friday.

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