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There's still time before competitive action starts, but Liverpool are truly back in action. The players and staff are available to share their thoughts on a variety of issues, which offers fans greater insight into how preparation for a possible resurgence is shaping up. New players and coaches may have arrived, but it is the words of the manager that will be of the greatest interest to loyal Reds.
Brendan Rodgers is still the individual who is tasked to guide the club to better times in 2015/16, and while he may not be able to make any excuses after his chosen transfer targets have been secured ahead of a fourth season in charge, many are still unclear on how he will approach the season. Will he sign more players in certain positions? What formation will be deployed in the majority of games? Rodgers is the one who can tell us this and more, and thankfully, Liverpool fans now know the club's defensive plans in mid-July after Rodgers praised "young Gomez" before revealing that Liverpool's centre back collection will remain as it is.
"A big plus tonight was young Joe Gomez," Rodgers said after the youngster displayed his talents in Australia. "I've seen him at centre-half and at right-back but I wanted to see him at left-back and I thought he was outstanding. Joe will stay with the club this season. I've already seen enough in this period. With young players I bring them in and I judge them over the pre-season period and seeing him close at hand and his personality he will be staying, he will get games. Alberto has only just started training again after an injury but he should be back in the squad for Monday night."
"I think we're fine for centre-halves. We've got the two boys who started (Skrtel and Sakho) and then Lovren and Toure. Young Gomez can play in there too so we're fine in that area. Joe played a lot of his career at Charlton in the middle. He's got all the tools to play across the back four and he's a big talent."
It was widely believed that Gomez would be going on loan this season to gain further experience after breaking through last season at senior level. It appears that Gomez has done enough in training and pre-season action to convince Rodgers to retain the youngster as part of the defensive squad. He'll be able to learn from centre backs who possess greater experience along with picking up minutes in various competitions.
