I very rarely get the chance to go to Anfield due to a variety of reasons, so when I saw that my favourite italian team Torino were coming to L4 for a friendly, I knew I had to try and get to the match.
It would be just two days after returning from a holiday in Montenegro and I'd need to convince the fella to drive us all the way up from Wolverhampton and back on a school night, but it could work?
It did work, thanks to a very kind fella and a mad rush running across Stanley Park, I'd made it to my seat on the Kop just in time for You'll Never Walk Alone.
It was fantastic to get to see the likes of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in the flesh and I was also lucky enough to get a glimpse of the new signings. Firmino, Wijnaldum and Sturridge all scored for the Reds. Sturridge's at the Kop end after a link up with Shaqiri was particularly special.
I was also happy to see Belotti net one at the Kop End, which I know may seem like a strange thing to say but I have a real affection for Torino, my interest in Italian football saw me adopt them as my team. I got to see them play Inter Milan at home last year and they're a quality side, their fans too are absolutely brilliant and they showed that at Anfield on Tuesday night.
And so, that win over Torino marked the end of pre-season and the beginning of Klopp's third full season as Liverpool manager.
Embed from Getty Images
Klopp has strengthened an already effective team with some very savvy signings. The introduction of Shaqiri, Keita and Fabinho further enhances the Reds' attacking options and splashing the cash on Alisson will hopefully solve one of Liverpool's main pitfalls.
I read an opposition view piece on This Is Anfield earlier this week, it was a Wolves fan offering his thoughts on our side and he made a very good point: strikers win you matches, goalkeepers win you league titles.
I could not agree more I just hope that Liverpool can really push for that elusive 19th this season because they certainly have the team to do it.
The last time the Reds faced West Ham was in February this year. A confident 4-1 win over the Hammers saw goals from Can, Salah, Firmino and Mane. Liverpool's previous game against the London side, also ended 4-1 in November 2017.
The last time West Ham won at Anfield was in August 2015, Philippe Coutinho was sent off in the 3-0 loss.
A lot has changed at the London Stadium though since last season. New manager Manuel Pellegrini knows his way around the Premier League and he has been backed in the transfer window bringing in players such as Jack Wilshere.
I think it would have been a more difficult opener to the season for the Reds had this fixture been away from home but I fully expect Klopp's side to pick up three points on Sunday.
Injury news for Liverpool means they are unable to call upon Dejan Lovren who has only recently returned from an extended break after going all the way to the World Cup final with Croatia. There is also a doubt hanging over Fabinho who is apparently ill.
Pellegrini pretty much has his whole team at his disposal and it is expected that a lot of the new signings will feature.
Enjoy the match folks, it's been a long summer but we've made the most of the transfer market. I don't really feel anybody else has the same calibre of team as us aside from Manchester City and if we can just start to grind out results and reduce the silly mistakes, we could well be on for an exciting season!
It would be just two days after returning from a holiday in Montenegro and I'd need to convince the fella to drive us all the way up from Wolverhampton and back on a school night, but it could work?
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| Me outside Anfield with my new away shirt and my Torino scarf I bought in Turin. |
It was fantastic to get to see the likes of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in the flesh and I was also lucky enough to get a glimpse of the new signings. Firmino, Wijnaldum and Sturridge all scored for the Reds. Sturridge's at the Kop end after a link up with Shaqiri was particularly special.
I was also happy to see Belotti net one at the Kop End, which I know may seem like a strange thing to say but I have a real affection for Torino, my interest in Italian football saw me adopt them as my team. I got to see them play Inter Milan at home last year and they're a quality side, their fans too are absolutely brilliant and they showed that at Anfield on Tuesday night.
And so, that win over Torino marked the end of pre-season and the beginning of Klopp's third full season as Liverpool manager.
And so, West Ham await...
Liverpool ended last season in an almost fairytale fashion but Kiev did not hold the victory the Reds so desperately wanted. Salah went off crying, Ramos became the villain and Karius made some absolute howlers. The wounds are starting to heal but every Liverpool fan is fully aware that a lot is riding on this season.Embed from Getty Images
Klopp has strengthened an already effective team with some very savvy signings. The introduction of Shaqiri, Keita and Fabinho further enhances the Reds' attacking options and splashing the cash on Alisson will hopefully solve one of Liverpool's main pitfalls.
I read an opposition view piece on This Is Anfield earlier this week, it was a Wolves fan offering his thoughts on our side and he made a very good point: strikers win you matches, goalkeepers win you league titles.
I could not agree more I just hope that Liverpool can really push for that elusive 19th this season because they certainly have the team to do it.
The last time the Reds faced West Ham was in February this year. A confident 4-1 win over the Hammers saw goals from Can, Salah, Firmino and Mane. Liverpool's previous game against the London side, also ended 4-1 in November 2017.
The last time West Ham won at Anfield was in August 2015, Philippe Coutinho was sent off in the 3-0 loss.
A lot has changed at the London Stadium though since last season. New manager Manuel Pellegrini knows his way around the Premier League and he has been backed in the transfer window bringing in players such as Jack Wilshere.
I think it would have been a more difficult opener to the season for the Reds had this fixture been away from home but I fully expect Klopp's side to pick up three points on Sunday.
Injury news for Liverpool means they are unable to call upon Dejan Lovren who has only recently returned from an extended break after going all the way to the World Cup final with Croatia. There is also a doubt hanging over Fabinho who is apparently ill.
Pellegrini pretty much has his whole team at his disposal and it is expected that a lot of the new signings will feature.
Enjoy the match folks, it's been a long summer but we've made the most of the transfer market. I don't really feel anybody else has the same calibre of team as us aside from Manchester City and if we can just start to grind out results and reduce the silly mistakes, we could well be on for an exciting season!