Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out three talking points from the pre-season friendly defeat to Liverpool. 

WORKOUT WAS WANTED

The game was locked at 0-0 when Tony Mowbray made his raft of changes, with eight alterations going in to the final half an hour.

Rovers had shown a good shape, discipline and organisation during that time, and didn’t allow themselves to be carved open.

The test was exactly what Mowbray was looking for. Last season he felt Rovers played too much with the ball and were caught cold when the League One season got underway.

With better opposition on the horizon this term, the boss wanted his side to be made to work without the ball in pre-season, and from that aspect, he could have asked no more from his team.

Nabi Keita proved a step-up in level, and his link-up play with Daniel Sturridge caught the eye in particular after the break.

But Rovers showed a willingness to work and their fitness looked strong, with positives for Mowbray to take. 

OPTIONS IN ATTACK

Every Rovers fan inside Ewood Park, as well as those in the dugout, knew they were short of options in attack going out in the game.

With Danny Graham missing out with a minor injury, the options were restricted even more. 

Coming out of the game, the need for those reinforcements in attack were laid bare, though Mowbray is working hard to strengthen.

Although the quality of opposition needs to be taken in to account, Rovers struggled for an outball without Graham, so at least one central striker is needed, as is some pace and creativity in the wide areas.

The Championship has proved to be a difficult market so far, with teams unwilling to part with players before signing their own creating something of a stalemate.

As Mowbray said after the match, the time to judge Rovers’ summer transfer business is when the window closes.

STICK WITH SAMUEL

Dominic Samuel, who missed the opening friendly at Hibs, was the second player of pre-season to come through 90 minutes.

Operating in a wide right role, with Bradley Dack centrally, he was forced in to plenty of work, but did go close to scoring when denied by the legs of Loris Karius.

He looks physically stronger than the end of last season and came through the 90 minutes well with a series of strong breaks forward, but a goal continues to allude him.

With Rovers still looking to add in the forward areas, now is the time for Samuel to come to the fore, something he is well aware of.

He possesses the qualities that Rovers would be looking for in a forward player, he just needs to show them on a more regular basis.

And although only pre-season, a goal would really help to give his confidence a much-needed lift. This is the time to support him, not write him off.