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Liverpool start their Premier League campaign against West Ham next Sunday and they look as though they're ready to take the league by storm. After smashing Manchester United 4-1 in their last pre-season friendly, Liverpool were ruthless again today as they put 5 past Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli as Alisson made his debut in Dublin. Liverpool had 5 different goal scorers as Milner, Wijnaldum, Salah, Sturridge and Moreno scored to seal an easy win.
Here are 4 talking points from the game.
#1 Alisson is ready
Alisson made his debut today and he looks like he's been a veteran Liverpool keeper. The fans in Aviva Stadium in Dublin and Liverpool fans across the world were eager to see their record signing in action.
It took Alisson only 3 minutes to prove his worth. A gorgeous 65-yard pass into the path of Salah started a wonderful move which ended with Milner slamming in the first goal of the match with his left foot. Alisson made all the right passes and set Liverpool off multiple times as they clicked all the way through.
He did not have an awful lot to do throughout the game but was vigilant when duty called. Alisson looked calm and composed every time he had the ball at his foot and showed great close control. He showed self-confidence and belief which Karius and Mignolet can only imagine.
#2 Liverpool's solid defensive lineup
Virgil van Dijk is the central piece of Liverpool's defensive line-up which looks fully capable and ready to take on the hottest strikers in Europe. Liverpool started with Clyne, Gomez, Van Dijk and Robertson in today's game. The four of them were sharp throughout the game and hardly put a foot wrong. They kept a clean sheet and Napoli could manage only 1 shot at the Liverpool goal.
Liverpool deployed young Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back after Clyne and Gomez went down with injuries last season. The 19-year-old did an excellent job and ended up playing the UCL Final. However, with the return of Clyne, Klopp has to choose between Clyne, Gomez and Alexander-Arnold.
Clyne will be the favorite to start next weekend against West Ham. Clyne is the most experienced amongst the three. He has speed, is technically good but is not a great offensive player whereas 19-year-old Alexander-Arnold is offence oriented and crosses one in the box every now and then.
World Cup silver medallist Dejan Lovren will most probably replace Gomez at the CB spot.
#3 Liverpool's scary squad depth
Liverpool had a lethal first XI last season but their depth was an issue. With arrivals of Fabinho, Keita and Shaqiri, Liverpool finally have a squad that can make a title run. Today's match against Napoli was just a reassurance.
Liverpool were criticized for relying heavily on Salah's goal-scoring prowess last season but things look different this time around if the preseason games are to be considered as an indicator.
Of course Salah scored today, but the other 4 Liverpool goal scorers were not the usual members of the goal scorers list. Milner opened the scoring and then set up Wijnaldum for the second goal of the half. Salah scored in the second half and in the 60th minute, Liverpool introduced Solanke, Sturridge and Moreno.
Solanke and Sturridge combined really well before Sturridge scored a goal and then set up a goal for Moreno with a beautiful cross field long ball and Moreno responded with a cracker of a goal by smashing one into the roof of the net - clearly the goal of the match.
#4 Who starts in midfield against West Ham?
With a 5 star performance from all the players, Jurgen Klopp has a good headache before the season officially starts next Sunday. Which 3 players should start in midfield?
Keita and Fabinho look favorites to start on Sunday, however, Milner has quietly made his case by scoring a goal and providing an assist against Napoli. Keita is an attacking threat but Shaqiri looked sharp in the pre-season friendlies. Henderson will return this week after his impressive World Cup run with England. But he hasn't played with the squad in the preseason matches. Wijnaldum scored a goal today and looks fit and ready to score more goals this season.
Klopp has a few crucial decisions to make.
What should be the Liverpool starting XI against West Ham? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
