Journalist heaps praise on both new Liverpool defenders | OneFootball

Liverpool Pre-Season Verdict as David Lynch Highlights 4-4-2 Shape, Newcastle Test and Defensive Positives

Liverpool have now completed their pre-season programme, signing off with a 2-0 win over Como, and the discussion has quickly shifted towards whether Andoni Iraola’s side are ready for the competitive action ahead. In his post-match assessment, David Lynch weighed up the positives and concerns from the final friendly, with a particular focus on Liverpool’s ability to sustain performance levels, the emerging 4-4-2 system, and a pair of encouraging defensive debuts.

As Lynch put it, “that’s the preseason done. No more friendly games for Liverpool until the real stuff starts.” From there, the central issue was obvious, “is this team ready to compete in another Premier League season, another Champions League season, the League Cup and the FA Cup to go with it as well.”

Newcastle test looms after mixed Liverpool performance

The result itself was positive, a 2-0 victory, and Lynch noted that “not a bad way to sign off for the summer really.” He pointed to the underlying numbers that favoured Liverpool in key areas, saying, “the expected goals from this game and it’s 1.47 for Liverpool, 0.52 for Como,” while also noting that Liverpool “created three big chances to Como’s zero.”

That pattern had previously been easier to dismiss because of substitutions and rotation, but this time the concern felt more relevant. Lynch explained, “for the first time we’ve seen a lot of players get the full game or in some cases a lot of the game maybe two thirds of the game. So in theory Liverpool should have been able to replicate the first half performance in the second half of this game and unfortunately we didn’t really see that.”

The second-half figures underlined the point, “9-2 to Ko on the shots, 3-0 on the shots on target in the second half.” With Newcastle next, his warning was direct, “they have to be better. They have to be more capable of playing 90 minutes.” He added that Iraola’s earlier comments about not being strong enough across the full match had been borne out again, saying, “what he’ll have seen today would have convinced him again that maybe they aren’t just strong enough yet to put together the 90-minute performance that they will need against Newcastle and need throughout the season going forward.”

There was still some caution in the judgement. Lynch acknowledged, “not overly worried yet, but it’s just a mild concern and I think something to keep an eye on as we move into the start of the Premier League season.”

Liverpool 4-4-2 system shows promise and risk

One of the strongest tactical takeaways from the summer is the manager’s apparent preference for a 4-4-2 shape. Lynch said, “we’re very much seeing a manager who certainly at the start of this season seems like he’s going to be committed to that 442 formation.” He went even further by suggesting, “I’d be amazed if you don’t start the Newcastle game in that setup.”

He also outlined the clear upside. “It gets people forward. It gets people into forward areas. They can end up in a kind of 424 at times,” he said, with that structure helping Liverpool “really pack the box.” In attacking terms, Lynch believes the setup particularly benefits two key players, explaining, “it’s like a front two and and you know, getting those two on the ball in and around the box for me is a way forward in terms of scoring goals for this team.”

That view was reinforced by Alexander Isak’s involvement in dangerous areas, even on a day when Lynch felt the striker was below his best. “I actually didn’t think Isak played particularly well. I thought his touch was a little bit all over the place,” he said, before adding that there was no deeper concern attached, “It’s preseason, not anything to worry about.” The broader point remained that Liverpool are creating the right situations for him, “he gets those two in areas where you want them and he gets them in areas where they can influence the game.”

Yet Lynch also detailed the cost of the system. “There are trade-offs maybe in this setup as well,” he said. The wingers are asked to do extensive defensive work, with “so many times today where the wingers ended up basically in fullback positions.” In midfield, the issue may be more significant. “It kind of leaves you with a midfield two rather than a midfield three,” and that “gives them both a lot of ground to cover really.”

His concern was clear, “I’m more worried whether the system itself kind of sets them up to fail.” He added, “particularly in the biggest games against the highest quality midfields. That’s going to be really really tough.”

Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araújo provide defensive encouragement

If there was a standout positive from the final friendly, Lynch made it obvious where attention should go. “There’s only one place to start isn’t there which is with Jeremy Jacquet.” Although the defender only played 45 minutes, the verdict was emphatic, “it’s a pretty perfect debut.”

Lynch was keen to stress that the performance was about far more than the goal. “Everything else he did was of high quality,” he said, before listing a series of encouraging details, “Three out of five tackles won seven out of 10 ground duels, three recoveries, wasn’t dribbled past once.” His overall impression was unequivocal, “just loved everything about his game.”

That extended to the defender’s all-round profile. Lynch described “the evidence you could see of him as a a good footballer who will suit this team, suit this league,” adding, “He looked really really strong.” In possession, there was equal encouragement, completing “27 out of 29 passes in the game” and showing the kind of calmness Lynch expects to matter over time. His summary was glowing, “He looks like a special talent.”

Photo: IMAGO

Ronald Araújo also left a positive impression in his own 45-minute outing. Lynch said, “I really thought his debut was pretty good as well. Really enjoyed what he did.” The physical side stood out most, “really good stature. Looks kind of big, bulky, looks like he’s tall enough to win aerial jewels in the Premier League.” He added, “he’s suited to this league. He could be a really good fit for this.”

There was also appreciation for his personality on the pitch. Lynch liked that he was “demonstrative,” with “a lot of kind of applauding his teammates for simple passes, a lot of kind of geing up, a lot of talking as well.” The conclusion was simple, “seems like a a good footballer, a likable character.”

Cody Gakpo and Jeremy Frimpong add to Liverpool positives

Lynch also highlighted Jeremy Frimpong and Cody Gakpo as key performers. On Frimpong, he admitted he may have been “a little bit overly critical,” but said plainly, “I thought he was really good.” The attacking contribution was central, with the assist for the opening goal described as “kind of vintage Frimpong. That’s what you want him to be doing is driving at people, using his pace.”

More importantly, Lynch felt Frimpong showed encouraging defensive development too. “I thought he did really well in the defensive aspects of the game,” he said, adding that “his recovery pace is excellent”.

On Gakpo, Lynch’s praise was similarly firm. “He gets a goal today, he gets an assist as well,” and beyond the numbers, “I thought his work rate was excellent as well.” He argued that the Dutch forward remains a valuable asset, saying, “he looks a good fit for Iraola football.”

Overall, Lynch’s final judgement on Liverpool’s pre-season carried both encouragement and a reminder of what still needs attention. “The basics are there I think this has been a promising encouraging preseason,” he said, before adding the key caveat, “they also have to help the manager by giving him more options and getting it right in terms of that.”

With pre-season complete, the next answers will come when Liverpool face Newcastle and the “real stuff” begins.

Source: David Lynch