4 Things We’ll Learn from Liverpool’s Pre-Season Tour of the US

Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool squad have travelled to California ahead of their pre-season tour of the United States, as the Reds’ preparations for the 2016/17 campaign continue in earnest—and their upcoming clashes will likely reveal a lot to supporters.

Liverpool will first take on Chelsea at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, marking their opening clash of the lucrative International Champions Cup, before moving on to Santa Clara and the Levi’s Stadium to face off against AC Milan—in a rematch of 2014’s fixture in North Carolina.

Klopp’s side will also clash with Serie A outfit AS Roma, at Busch Stadium in St Louis, Missouri, in their final outing of the tour, with Luciano Spalletti’s side providing a stern test of Liverpool’s credentials.

The German has the majority of his squad available at present, following the return of Daniel Sturridge, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Divock Origi and Simon Mignolet from holiday.

Christian Benteke has also linked up with the Reds, though question marks remain over his future, and summer signing Georginio Wijnaldum is poised to make his first appearances as a Liverpool player.

Speaking to reporters in May, Klopp stressed that “if we play our best in pre-season then I’ve done something completely wrong,” but the development of his new-look side on the field will be of significant interest to Reds supporters—and here are four things we’ll learn from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the U.S.

Who is Klopp’s No. 1 Goalkeeper?

The signing of 23-year-old stopper Loris Karius from Mainz this summer served to signal a change in emphasis from Klopp when approaching his goalkeeping ranks.

Karius joined in a deal worth £4.7 million and took up the No. 1 shirt previously worn by Brad Jones, underlining his intention to operate as Klopp’s first-choice goalkeeper—the German told LFCTV as much on his arrival, saying, “I want to be the No. 1 here at Liverpool.”

But with Mignolet signing a new long-term contract with the club back in January, it remains unclear who will take up the regular starting role between the sticks throughout 2016/17.

Karius has already impressed this pre-season, keeping four consecutive clean sheets against Tranmere Rovers, Fleetwood Town, Wigan Athletic and Huddersfield Town, and though he made a worrying error at the DW Stadium, the Germany under-21 international has looked assured in his new surroundings.

Supporters have questioned the role of Mignolet as first-choice goalkeeper in recent seasons, and the move to sign Karius may satisfy their desires for a new No. 1.

Mignolet’s return from holiday could see him deployed in Klopp’s regular starting lineup, however, and Liverpool’s tour of the …

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