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Sterling's best position a mystery

A lot is now known of Raheem Sterling but this pre-season has raised a fresh question: both long-term and short-term, what is his best position?

Originally, his deployment as a right winger - a right footer playing on the right is almost retro concept nowadays - seemed to work best. He could drive past players and stretch the play sufficiently.

Then, in last season's title race, he showed remarkable maturity and intelligence in a more central role. Strong, quick and with the ability to take an entire midfield out of the game with a quick dart, he looked like one of the new breed of no.10s.

He has also showed flashes of brilliance up front.

But this pre-season has seen him play largely on the left. On the surface its predictability should stifle Sterling; his options are limited given he is predominately right footed. Cutting inside is his only realistic option.

Yet it has worked well - and did so again against Manchester United. He would ghost in on the left, his runs found by the vision of Philippe Coutinho. He also showed strength running the left and fashioning space for himself.

Versatility is never a bad thing, but it will be interesting to monitor where he begins the season.

The match mattered - up to a point

The reaction and analysis of United was bound to be stronger than necessary, regardless of the result. With the Reds going down 3-1 , the negatives were accentuated.

It would be wrong to suggest this game didn't matter. It mattered to the American fans who don't usually get to see their side compete; it also mattered to the players and manager, who want to win every throw in, goal kick and coin toss.

But on 63 minutes, Rodgers turned to his substitutes and took off captain Steven Gerrard, as well as moving Coutinho into an unfamiliar false nine role. Fifteen minutes later, the Brazilian himself would be withdrawn.

United did likewise. With 20 minutes remaining, off came Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney.

Those changes served as a reminder that this was – despite all the superfluity of hype surrounding the game – just a friendly, a blank canvas, a chance to gain fitness and tinker with tactics.

Both managers wanted to win, but there were other things to consider. United lifted the trophy but Louis van Gaal will care more about the fitness of his players; Liverpool fly home empty-handed in terms of trophies, but Rodgers knows that match sharpness – the true prize – is flying home with them.

Lambert needs time to settle

Rickie Lambert has scored 28 goals in two Premier League seasons for

Southampton, and in that time also created 134 chances for team-mates. His qualities are well known.

It hasn't happened for him yet at Liverpool during this pre-season, bar little flashes alongside Daniel Sturridge. He even missed a penalty against AC Milan.

In part, that is what pre-season is for. Despite Liverpool being his boyhood club, it will still take time to acclimatise to new surroundings. Against United, he received a chance which he dispatched regularly in a Southampton shirt. Twelve yards out, with his body open, he had the chance to bend it around David De Gea. Instead, Lambert fired it straight at him.

His first goal will only be a matter of time for the Reds. Until then, mentality may be the most important thing rather than anything on the training pitch.

Fans deserved more than Hollywood show

A laser show, Katy Perry tribute acts and a goal that was never a goal eventually being disallowed.

Welcome to Miami. This most certainly wasn't in the Will Smith song.

The tour of the US has been a big success for Liverpool. The passion, the enthusiasm and the knowledge about the sport is there.

It was also there in Miami - it is just a pity the tournament organisers felt it needed razmatazz added with peripheral nonsense which suffocated the fans.

The stadium DJ even stopped You''ll Never Walk Alone - twice - to play other songs.

Then, the coup de grace and the confusion over the simple rules when the ball hit the stanchion and rebounded back into play.

It created Hollywood drama. It's something the organisers cherished - the fans less so. They deserved a more fitting show.