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Once again, a whirlwind preseason for Liverpool has seen the squad accumulate a healthy number of frequent flyer miles, as they’ve visited the United States, France, and most recently, Ireland. With the season opener against West Ham United just a week away, left back Andy Robertson knows that establishing form at Anfield is going to be critical once again.
They’ll have one last tune-up opportunity against Torino - who finished their most recent Serie A campaign in ninth place - on Tuesday night, and Robertson is glad that the Reds will be playing hosts. The Reds were able to avoid disappointing defeats at Anfield during the league play, but they also had to settle for just a point on more than one occasion, which is something Jürgen Klopp will have to address if they are to seriously challenge Manchester City.
“I think a game at Anfield in front of our fans can get us used to playing at home again,” he said to the club’s website. “A few of the lads who were at the World Cup went quite deep into the tournament so they’ll be back in training quite late, so it’ll be good for them to maybe get a game before the season starts.”
That’s going to be true for a number of first team players, who racked up even more miles in Russia this summer. Sure, there have been forays against local teams this preseason, but the experience of playing at Anfield in front of a raucous friendly contingent and against serious opposition is going to be a novelty for the newly arrived signings, even those with prior Premier League time, such as Xherdan Shaqiri.
“It’s also good for us to get used to our surroundings again, especially the new signings who can get a feel for Anfield before it comes on the Sunday because if it takes you 10 to 15 minutes on the Sunday, then that’s time you don’t really have because we need to be ready to go from the first whistle,” added Robertson.”
“It will get them used to the surroundings and it will give us the feeling back of playing at Anfield and then we’ll be good to go against West Ham.”