6 Liverpool players we’re looking forward to seeing vs. Sydney FC

Liverpool fly out to Sydney for a post-season friendly against Australian champions Sydney FC. Here are five players we’d like to see get a good run out at the ANZ Stadium.

The whistle-stop visit down under will see them land in the city on Wednesday morning and play the game just 11 hours later (11am UK kick off).

Many of the players will be fatigued from the flight and from the games they’ve played in a season which was still demanding despite a lack of European football.

They could get a little help from their teammates who have been on the fringes of the squad for much of the campaign, and who will be eager for a run out as they look to impress ahead of next season.

 

Loris Karius

After replacing Simon Mignolet as Liverpool’s No. 1 earlier in the 2016/17 season, Klopp’s new signing endured a series of high-profile errors which eventually saw him return to a backup role in the league campaign.

However, a series of promising performances in the cups showed signs that the 23-year-old could do a job for the reds in the future.

It would be good to see him get a run out in this friendly having spent the latter part of the season as understudy to the much improved Mignolet.
 

Trent Alexander-Arnold

The young full-back is one of the most promising players to come through the academy in recent years, and next season will be an important one in his development.

Klopp wants full backs to play like midfielders in certain situations, which suits Trent down to the ground as he played some of his youth football in the centre of the park.

With Nathaniel Clyne having played all but one game in the league last season, the 18-year-old should start the game in Sydney and put his case forward to be Klopp’s first choice right back next season.

 

Ben Woodburn

There’s a few youngsters who are likely to get a runout, and Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer looks set to be one of them.

Having enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at under-23s level then making nine appearances for the first-team, the 17-year-old will get his chance to showcase his huge potential in front of an expected 75,000 capacity crowd.

 

Joe Gomez

Gomez is another young player whose season was disrupted by a long-term injury.

On his return to fitness he was rarely able to break into the first team squad which has raised doubts about his future at the club.

However, he’s been playing on both sides of the centre of defence for the U23s this season, perhaps in preparation for a utility backup role next term.

The club are crying out for a solid defensive partnership for next season, and it would be worth testing a pairing of Gomez and Joel Matip in this friendly match.
 

Harry Wilson

The Welsh attacker is consistently one of the best players in Liverpool’s under-23 side, but has struggled to make the step up to the first team.

Chances have been few and far between for the 20-year-old who captains the club’s second string side, and he was limited to just 25 minutes of first team football this season.

It would be good to see the leader of the U23s mixing with some of the more established stars in this low-key exhibition game.
 

Rhian Brewster

Rhian Brewster joins up with the squad having returned from national team duty with England’s U17 side.

He’ll be hoping to put a missed penalty in the final of the U17 Euros behind him, and getting straight back on the pitch alongside club legends Steve McManaman, Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, and Steven Gerrard; who’ve also travelled with the side, could be the tonic he needs.