So, two games into pre-season with a squad that is nowhere near being finalised and people are already looking for definitive answers as to where Liverpool's fortunes lie.
  
Too Early To Judge?
Pre-season, we are often told, is a time where gaining full fitness is the key and results mean nothing.  That might be the case but experience proves that if the team looks bad in pre-season, then the likelihood is that it will continue that way when the actual games start.  One only has to look at last season's abysmall 3-0 trashing at Espanyol where the problems that would haunt Liverpool throughout the season - lack of creativity in particular - were first laid bare.

The thing with this season is that the games played so far have seen largely inexperienced kids taking part so it is impossible to determine what Liverpool's season will be like.

Keep Your Shape
What has been clear from these first two games is what we have been told all along about Hodgson: organisation is paramount.  What has been encouraging is that it would appear that his early lessons are already being absorbed.  Conceeding one goal in two games with what was a glorified reserve squad was in itself an exceptional result but it didn't come about by accident.  All the players worked hard - that much was to be expected particularly with a new manager in charge - but much more encouraging was how they went about their job, keeping their concentration throughout both games.  Few, if any, of the players on show

There's Talent but no Experience
The goal conceeded against Kaiserslautern neatly summed up the issue facing Roy Hodgson.  Over the two games, Daniel Ayala was pretty impressive and he showed why there is the belief that he is destined for big things.  Yet it was his lack of experience that allowed Kaiserslautern the opportunity to score a goal.  This is not to say that a more experienced player wouldn't have done a similar mistake but rather that it is more likely that a younger one succumb to it especially when the pressure is on.

There are some very talented players at Liverpool but that doesn't mean that they are ready to play in the Premier League, at least not at Liverpool.  Given the state of reserve team football, it would be much better for the likes of David Amoo and Nathan Ecclestone to spend the coming months on loan some where so that they can gain some experience (and make mistakes away from the spotlight along the way).

Some Things Never Change
It might sound harsh to pinpoint any player who did badly at this stage but it is simply impossible to hold back on criticising Philippe Degen.  As one of the few senior players in the squad that made it to Switzerland, the expectation was that he would be setting the example.  But, going by what he showed in the two games played, let's hope that no one took any notice.  Caught far too often out of position when making ill advised runs forward, it was comforting to hear Hodgson confirm that he should be looking for a new club for next season.