Brisbane Roar Head Coach John Aloisi has praised his players for the intensity of their training as they build towards next week’s clash with Liverpool FC.
“We’ve had a few training sessions now, the boys are working hard and you can see they are motivated,” said Aloisi after the first full week of training since the off-season break.
“They are pushing themselves out there and the intensity of training has been amazing.
“If we keep on going like this in pre-season, we are pretty positive we can have a good season.”
The match against the Reds on Friday week at Suncorp Stadium (6.45pm kick off) has no restrictions on substitutions.
For that reason, Aloisi said no one should read too much into any selections or substitutions he makes in the Liverpool match, or in any pre-season matches the Roar plays over the coming weeks.
“For all the pre-season friendlies we play, everyone will get the chance to fight for their spots for the start of the regular season,” Aloisi said.
“It is still early, we are still trying a few different things.
“We still want to dominate the opposition, no matter who we play against.
“The first game is against Liverpool which is exciting . . . we want to perform well but it is still a pre-season game.
“We are still working out structures and the players are getting to know our style of football.”
With Reds manager Brendan Rodgers very active in the transfer market in recent months, the match against the Roar is also important for the new-look Liverpool squad to work on their structures.
Fullback Nathaniel Clyne was signed for £12.5million from Southampton as a replacement for Glen Johnson, who left Anfield as a free agent.
The 24-year-old defender was Liverpool’s sixth signing of the (northern) summer following the acquisition of James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez and Roberto Firmino.
Clyne told LFCTV that he was eagerly looking forward to visiting Australia as he had never been on a major club tour before.
He said it would be an ideal opportunity for new players to bond with established Anfield stars.
“It’s good going away on tour with the team, you get to mingle with the lads. It will be a very good experience for me,” Clyne said.
“A lot of people have been telling me there is a big (Liverpool) fan base out there. I am looking forward to playing in front of them and putting on a good show.”
To see the full Nathaniel Clyne interview, click here.
The Roar’s recent signing Jamie Maclaren is similarly looking forward to the match to begin working on partnerships with his new team mates.
He said playing against the Reds would be a dream start to his Roar career.
“Every time you watch EPL you want to watch Liverpool,” Maclaren said.
“If I am selected, I will be facing Martin Skrtel who is someone you watch on TV and you admire his defensive qualities.
“To be up against that and test yourself I am really looking forward to it in front of a sell-out crowd.”
