Player ratings as the Reds banish their away demons
A first Champions League group stage away win in over two years (hello, Maribor) and Liverpool are assured of Champions League qualification if they can win their remaining two home matches, whilst they'll top the group if they could follow that up by beating Salzburg away.
Two sublime goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain followed up by Mané and Salah netting made it four-nil to Jurgen Klopp's side tonight, before hosts Genk hit back with an avoidable late consolation (hello, Lovren).
Here …
Is Liverpool's Laptop Legend Budget Bound?
Imagine if you will, Michael Edwards, still clearing the cobwebs from the meanest of post-parade hangovers, popping open his laptop, seeing endless messages from supporters complaining about Liverpool’s lack of signings and specifically the need for a reserve left-back.
Edwards swings open his office door, sloshing a bit of coffee on the floor in the process as he slurs in an uncharacteristically gravelly voice, “who’s the best left-back we can get?”
“Junior Firpo, sir,” a fresh-faced scout replies, leaning out …
Audere est Facere: how Spurs' motto captures Liverpool's journey
Over the past decade, the Liverpool country has faced so many false and painful dawns. Cultured Hodgson, the European tourist, settling on Merseyside to push us above the British tropes of non-football. The King's stabilising touch, pulling reveries from past decades to raise the dream of Cup wins upon Cup wins. Rodgers' reckless abandon in attacking the title quite literally. The reality? "If you are in the relegation zone, then you are in a relegation battle." "He didn't ask to …
Liverpool's Fullback Creativity and Recruitment Targets – Part 2
In Part 1, we took a deep dive into profiling and analysing Liverpool’s fullback creativity and whether it is sustainable – you can read it here.
Here in Part 2, we’ll look at select recruitment targets who can meet our depth needs and tick boxes on the club’s philosophy, eye and analytics tests.
Tyrell Malacia (20 yo, Feyenoord, 1415 minutes, Highest valuation: £2.8 million)
Tyrell Malacia is a highly rated, Dutch, modern left-back for Feyenoord who has represented the Netherlands …
Liverpool's Fullback Creativity and Recruitment Targets – Part 1
Liverpool’s Fullback Creativity and Recruitment Targets – Part 1
An analytical deep dive to profile Liverpool's fullback creativity and answer the question - is it sustainable?
This season, Liverpool consistently lacked a midfield set-up that tasked a player to be a high performing creator and goal threat. That meant the absence of a midfielder to carry the ball past defensive lines, complete creative passes into the box and take dangerous shots from inside the box, all at a high level. …
Fabinho's Versatility Embodies His Growing Influence At Anfield
As Liverpool embarked on the first-leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie, there were staunch questions surrounding the weakened defence.
The Reds have suffered somewhat of an injury crisis in recent weeks – Dejan Lovren picked up a hamstring strain in the opening stages of the cup against Wolves and has only played 13 games this season while Joe Gomez, who enjoyed a brilliant start to the campaign, has been side-lined with a long-term knee injury of late.
…
Liverpool vs Man United Preview - Potential Key Battles
Liverpool face Manchester United at Old Trafford. To be honest, no other context should be needed to demonstrate the sheer weight of this fixture, as it’s probably the biggest fixture in the history of English football and remains arguably the biggest fixture on the calendar.
But in case more emphasis was needed on this game, Liverpool currently sit second place in the Premier League, behind Man City on goal difference with a game in hand – this game at Old …
It's Time For Mo Salah To Step Up Against United
This is going to be a controversial one, eh?
I love Mo Salah. I think he’s the best player in the Premier League, I think he’s the best player Liverpool have had in a long time and I think he’s plausibly the third best player in the world. He’s a vital cog in our attacking unit, I’d be tempted to give him Player of the Year again, and I think he’s capable of bringing us a crapload of trophies.
But …
Naby Keita Offers Liverpool Perfect Weapon to End United Hoodoo
Liverpool's recent Premier League record against Manchester United is woeful. If all matches were played without context, United would be the biggest two games of each league season for the Reds.
Since Brendan Rodgers' wonderful 2013-14 side went and won 3-0 at Old Trafford, United haven't lost in the league to Liverpool.
Domestically, United are eight unbeaten in the fixture, winning five and drawing three. Whilst that record doesn't only cover Jurgen Klopp's tenure, the German hasn't had much fortune …
Daniel Sturridge: Back from the Brink?
At the end of the 2017/18 season, Daniel Sturridge's departure seemed an inevitability. The club had considered selling him the summer before and during the first half of the campaign, they lost faith in his abilities, resulting in a January loan to West Bromwich Albion which sounded the death knell for his Liverpool career.
The club had set a fairly modest price tag, in this wacky market at least, of £15million, and but for Sturridge's lofty wage demands, he might …