Liverpool and Manchester City went hammer and tongs throughout the 90 minutes as Liverpool edged the 7 goal thriller in a game which was once again one of the best advertisements for the Premier League as a whole. Liverpool thus break City’s lossless streak this season. My key observations are below:
Liverpool end the week on a sweet note
Liverpool’s week off the field had not gone particularly well, especially post Coutinho’s sale to Barcelona. The Reds were linked to scores of players including ‘one who shall not be named,’ but to no avail. The day started with Leipzig confirming that Keita would be staying in Germany for the whole season. In this backdrop, Klopp and the fans needed this win to re-affirm the belief that indeed ‘all is well.’
Pressing causes Passing mishaps
Liverpool started fast and strong as they usually do and were aided by an early goal. But Liverpool’s intensity did not drop at all, with the front 3 doing an admirable job pressing, and cutting the passing channels for City. It was expected that this would drop in the second half, but it did not and their tireless effort were duly rewarded with a goal for each of the front three. Each goal required a different finish, but all were aided by one common theme; desire.
Chamberlain steps up to the plate
Chamberlain’s importance had been growing in his Liverpool’s fledgeling career, and he once again showed why he should play in the midfield, and only in the midfield. His early goal was what one would want from a box-to-box midfielder; from winning the ball, driving with the ball and an arrowed finish into the bottom corner. He was really aggressive throughout the game and must be a sure shot starter going forward.
Robertson shines once again
Robertson has shown the fruits of playing regularly, as his form has also been consistently good. He defended extremely well on most occasions, undaunted by the form of Sterling. He cut out potential crosses early and was always ready to attack and be a provider on the overlap whenever Liverpool counter-attacked. He provided the moment of the match apart from the goals, with his tireless pressing from one opponent to another, forcing a mistake from City; a microcosm to the whole game.
Age and potential are no longer excuses
Another game, another aerial ball from wide areas, and yes you guessed it right; another mistake from Gomez. This time the youngster misjudged the flight of the ball allowing Sane to coast into the danger area. A sequence of mistakes means that this is now a glaring weakness which we can expect the opposition to exploit. His potential and age can no longer serve as an excuse.
The same applies to Karius. Fans have demanded that Karius play after a series of mistakes from Mignolet. Klopp seemed to suggest that this was Karius’ position to lose and unfortunately he did not cover himself in glory. A keeper getting beaten on an acute angle shot on his near post is never a good sign.
We have seen what a series of games have done to players like Chamberlain and Robertson, but have also seen that it has not done any good for a player like Gomez. Which alley will Karius head down?
Very harsh assessment of Gomez. Yes he misread the flight of the ball but the windy conditions made it more difficult to judge the flight, and it’s not like he let Sane get away for a 1-on-1. Sane had to do an awful lot after the initial mistake for the goal. Not to mention Gomez was very solid after the break. Sane is arguably the quickest player in the Premier League and yet Gomez did well to shackle him after the break.
My impressions, for what they’re worth:
-Ox was everywhere. So many positive influences throughout the game. He suits Klopp’s style so much better than Couthino. I think Klopp knew that Ox was to be the understudy since the transfer request in the summer.
-We can decimate the best team in Europe without Couthino and Virgil. With VvD I don’t see us giving 3 back. Bring on anyone the CL has to offer.
-Bobby loves himself a yellow card to add an exclamation mark! It’s a good thing he doesn’t take cards for any other infraction, despite his relentless and physical pressing game. Just such a lovable Brazillian…
-Klopp and FSG have created this team and given LFC fans great victories such as these across the last two seasons. Enjoy them and give credit where due
Please note that this is the third or fourth time that Gomez had making more or less the same mistakes.
I would put him firmly in the Ibe category, yes with potential but that is about it, potential. Unfortunately he only learns the negatives from our keepers or Lovren, guarateed cock ups every other game.
Once again, our midfielders and forwards bailed out our cock up keepers and defenders.
But as a whole good job to get the win