Magnifying glasses and fine tooth combs at the ready..
Brendan, I understand in England all your training sessions are usually closed. The one at Coopers is open. Does that make you and the players tense or does it keep you guys relaxed knowing that you've got fans there?
We enjoy the open training sessions. It's an opportunity for media and supporters to come and watch. Of course, the preference is to work behind closed doors, as that gives us an opportunity to work specifically on ideas and get ready in preparation for the game. But we understand it's part of life as a professional player and coach, especially when you work for a club like Liverpool, that you'll have open training sessions. However it comes, we're more than happy to facilitate.
What did you make of the [Aussie rules] game today? Did you enjoy your time in the Port Adelaide coach's box? Did you understand completely what was going on?
It was certainly different. The format was really interesting; I spoke with the manager at length before and it was just a really interesting day. You learn from all sports and all people. I'm one that very much looks into the experiences of different managers. We thoroughly enjoyed it. From the management perspective, just being up in the box and the communication levels that need to go on with 18 players with running subs over the course of that timeline, it's certainly unique. It's nowhere like that in football. So the lines of communication between all the coaches and the manager and the bench has to be very good. The guys up in the box were doing a great job in terms of trying to get that information onto the bench and then eventually onto the players. It was a wonderful experience, my first ever Aussie Rules game. Of course, I'm from Northern Ireland so I'm used to Gaelic football, which is similar, but it was a really good experience today.
I was wondering if you could update us if there are any injuries that might have happened while you've been out on tour?
The condition of the team is very good. We had a few players the other night that we just took out. But they'll be back available and ready to play. I've been really impressed, the players have been working so hard. We have only been back a short period of time but they're really maximising everything in the training sessions and practice. They look in good condition. We enter into another game tomorrow night, a tough game for us physically. But that's why we're here, to improve on our level of condition. The squad is in really good physical condition.
You touched on the game you went to today. What did you make of it and the atmosphere and the surroundings?
It's obviously an iconic stadium [the Adelaide Oval]. I thought the surroundings were brilliant and the atmosphere in the stadium. There was a lovely tribute before the game from both sets of supporters and the staff for Phil [Walsh] and the family. I had interest in the dynamics of the game - the players seemed to just be running and running and running all of the time! There was big physicality, but they were very honest and hard working. I was really impressed and I know our players were as well.
Brendan, you had a very special experience this afternoon - can you tell us about your experience of the indigenous culture?
As a football club, we see ourselves here not just to participate in the football - we always want to give something back to the local community. A few of the staff, the captain [Jordan Henderson] and I went down to see the museum and the collection. I got presented with a ball and there was a really interesting story behind the make-up and artistry in it. As a football club, we always respect - Liverpool are a football club with real strong values. We've come to Adelaide for the first time and want to respect the people and the local community. It was a lovely trip and we were received very, very well - and we were very proud of that.
And what did you think of Jordan's didgeridoo playing?
He obviously needs a bit of work on it, but to be fair I don't think there'll be too many who could play it as well as the guy beside him!
Looking at your squad and the players that are here, you're also in a position where you can play two different teams and the strength of those teams would not be diluted due to the quality you've got. Going forward into the new season, that must be what you want?
With so many games and competitions - and wanting to do well in those competitions - it's very, very important. People will see the players that have come in and their quality, but also very importantly, the ones we already have at the club. Once we get that combination together, we can go into each competition and put out a really strong team. There's no player comes to the club and is guaranteed to play every single game. We aim to do well in all the competitions and hopefully there's a squad being built to cope with them all.
Would you almost be a position where you could have a team specifically for the Europa League?
Yes, I think we could do that and it wouldn't have any real detrimental effect because of the quality of the players I have. That's something we certainly would consider. In terms of priorities, it's about getting back into that top four again and we're very determined to look to get a trophy this year. Every player will contribute towards that.
Is it a challenge to keep some players happy [if you] rotate? Players like to play every week - is that going to be a challenge for you to get them to accept that there's going to be a lot of rotation?
Not really. I don't know if I'll be rotating too much. If you're in the team and you're playing well you can be in the team. I felt I needed to do it last year and certainly there'll be moments in competitions where I will have to do that but the idea is to get the squad fighting. We have to improve this year and if you're playing well, working well, you play games. It's as simple as that. The management of it is something that's obviously very straightforward. I understand players want to play but you can't play every week.
On Jordan, you gave him the captaincy, can you explain in what way he impressed you with the responsibility you gave him last season and how the group reacted?
It's been a fresh start for the group. Obviously with Jordan we've had an iconic figure here, captain for so long, and the idea to give Jordan the vice-captaincy last year was to learn some of those traits off Steven. He captained the club incredibly well in his period and I just felt Jordan would learn well off that, but on top of that add his own qualities to it. I think that the players have really accepted it. I can see already how he's grown in stature and that's important because I think you can give some players the captaincy and they can fold with it, it can have a negative effect. But he's certainly a young man that can deal and cope with that. As I said, he's got huge respect within the group because of his quality, he's a role model, and I think he'll prove to be an outstanding player going forward as well as a very good ambassador for the club.
Have you made a decision on the vice-captain?
Not yet. I'm fortunate I've got so many guys that can lead. If I look at Kolo [Toure] here, some of his experience is brilliant for the players, he doesn't always have to be wearing the armband for that. He's a natural talker and inspirer of the team and that's what we want.
Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino come back to training on Wednesday, are you confident that they will be involved at Stoke or are you planning for them to begin their season a bit later?
I always speak to players. We know physically where they'll be at, we know they were involved in a competition, had some rest. But I always like to speak to players just to get the feel. You can have all your analysis and you can have all your statistics but sometimes the most important line is the communication. So we'll see how they feel. They're going to come back in good condition, refreshed, and if they start season and - like I've done before - if I feel a player needs a rest during the season I will do that.
Brendan, I understand in England all your training sessions are usually closed. The one at Coopers is open. Does that make you and the players tense or does it keep you guys relaxed knowing that you've got fans there?
We enjoy the open training sessions. It's an opportunity for media and supporters to come and watch. Of course, the preference is to work behind closed doors, as that gives us an opportunity to work specifically on ideas and get ready in preparation for the game. But we understand it's part of life as a professional player and coach, especially when you work for a club like Liverpool, that you'll have open training sessions. However it comes, we're more than happy to facilitate.
What did you make of the [Aussie rules] game today? Did you enjoy your time in the Port Adelaide coach's box? Did you understand completely what was going on?
It was certainly different. The format was really interesting; I spoke with the manager at length before and it was just a really interesting day. You learn from all sports and all people. I'm one that very much looks into the experiences of different managers. We thoroughly enjoyed it. From the management perspective, just being up in the box and the communication levels that need to go on with 18 players with running subs over the course of that timeline, it's certainly unique. It's nowhere like that in football. So the lines of communication between all the coaches and the manager and the bench has to be very good. The guys up in the box were doing a great job in terms of trying to get that information onto the bench and then eventually onto the players. It was a wonderful experience, my first ever Aussie Rules game. Of course, I'm from Northern Ireland so I'm used to Gaelic football, which is similar, but it was a really good experience today.
I was wondering if you could update us if there are any injuries that might have happened while you've been out on tour?
The condition of the team is very good. We had a few players the other night that we just took out. But they'll be back available and ready to play. I've been really impressed, the players have been working so hard. We have only been back a short period of time but they're really maximising everything in the training sessions and practice. They look in good condition. We enter into another game tomorrow night, a tough game for us physically. But that's why we're here, to improve on our level of condition. The squad is in really good physical condition.
You touched on the game you went to today. What did you make of it and the atmosphere and the surroundings?
It's obviously an iconic stadium [the Adelaide Oval]. I thought the surroundings were brilliant and the atmosphere in the stadium. There was a lovely tribute before the game from both sets of supporters and the staff for Phil [Walsh] and the family. I had interest in the dynamics of the game - the players seemed to just be running and running and running all of the time! There was big physicality, but they were very honest and hard working. I was really impressed and I know our players were as well.
Brendan, you had a very special experience this afternoon - can you tell us about your experience of the indigenous culture?
As a football club, we see ourselves here not just to participate in the football - we always want to give something back to the local community. A few of the staff, the captain [Jordan Henderson] and I went down to see the museum and the collection. I got presented with a ball and there was a really interesting story behind the make-up and artistry in it. As a football club, we always respect - Liverpool are a football club with real strong values. We've come to Adelaide for the first time and want to respect the people and the local community. It was a lovely trip and we were received very, very well - and we were very proud of that.
And what did you think of Jordan's didgeridoo playing?
He obviously needs a bit of work on it, but to be fair I don't think there'll be too many who could play it as well as the guy beside him!
Looking at your squad and the players that are here, you're also in a position where you can play two different teams and the strength of those teams would not be diluted due to the quality you've got. Going forward into the new season, that must be what you want?
With so many games and competitions - and wanting to do well in those competitions - it's very, very important. People will see the players that have come in and their quality, but also very importantly, the ones we already have at the club. Once we get that combination together, we can go into each competition and put out a really strong team. There's no player comes to the club and is guaranteed to play every single game. We aim to do well in all the competitions and hopefully there's a squad being built to cope with them all.
Would you almost be a position where you could have a team specifically for the Europa League?
Yes, I think we could do that and it wouldn't have any real detrimental effect because of the quality of the players I have. That's something we certainly would consider. In terms of priorities, it's about getting back into that top four again and we're very determined to look to get a trophy this year. Every player will contribute towards that.
Is it a challenge to keep some players happy [if you] rotate? Players like to play every week - is that going to be a challenge for you to get them to accept that there's going to be a lot of rotation?
Not really. I don't know if I'll be rotating too much. If you're in the team and you're playing well you can be in the team. I felt I needed to do it last year and certainly there'll be moments in competitions where I will have to do that but the idea is to get the squad fighting. We have to improve this year and if you're playing well, working well, you play games. It's as simple as that. The management of it is something that's obviously very straightforward. I understand players want to play but you can't play every week.
On Jordan, you gave him the captaincy, can you explain in what way he impressed you with the responsibility you gave him last season and how the group reacted?
It's been a fresh start for the group. Obviously with Jordan we've had an iconic figure here, captain for so long, and the idea to give Jordan the vice-captaincy last year was to learn some of those traits off Steven. He captained the club incredibly well in his period and I just felt Jordan would learn well off that, but on top of that add his own qualities to it. I think that the players have really accepted it. I can see already how he's grown in stature and that's important because I think you can give some players the captaincy and they can fold with it, it can have a negative effect. But he's certainly a young man that can deal and cope with that. As I said, he's got huge respect within the group because of his quality, he's a role model, and I think he'll prove to be an outstanding player going forward as well as a very good ambassador for the club.
Have you made a decision on the vice-captain?
Not yet. I'm fortunate I've got so many guys that can lead. If I look at Kolo [Toure] here, some of his experience is brilliant for the players, he doesn't always have to be wearing the armband for that. He's a natural talker and inspirer of the team and that's what we want.
Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino come back to training on Wednesday, are you confident that they will be involved at Stoke or are you planning for them to begin their season a bit later?
I always speak to players. We know physically where they'll be at, we know they were involved in a competition, had some rest. But I always like to speak to players just to get the feel. You can have all your analysis and you can have all your statistics but sometimes the most important line is the communication. So we'll see how they feel. They're going to come back in good condition, refreshed, and if they start season and - like I've done before - if I feel a player needs a rest during the season I will do that.
