Poor Decision Making All Round For The Reds On Derby Day
79% of possession, 23 shots and 12 corners and yet somehow, Liverpool came away with just a point against The Ev.
Jurgen Klopp delivered a roll of the dice before kick-off, opting to demote Philippe Coutinho and Bobby Firmino to the bench in favour of Dominic Solanke and Oxlade-Chamberlain. A double pivot of Henderson and Milner raised some eyebrows, too. Still, there was more than enough firepower out on the field to expose a youthful looking Everton back line.
Mohamed …
Strange (Mersey) Sides - Liverpool 1 Everton 1
I would have been a bit disappointed at 1-0, to be honest.
That sounds mealy-mouthed, doesn’t it? Being all sniffy at a one goal win against the other lot from across the park, but such was the paucity of Everton’s defence and attack (including the slowest forward line in their history) that I wanted at least four by half time. They were begging to be put away, absolutely begging. Add a snowy Merseyside and Big Sam ™ with his aerial …
Key Stats from Liverpool 1-1 Everton
Liverpool were frustrated again as they registered another 1-1 draw at home against opposition that they really should have been beating. But what were the key stats from the Merseyside Derby?
Salah Leads From The Front
Once again, it was the Mo Salah show at Anfield. Despite only playing 67 minutes, Salah notched six key passes, seven dribbles, and seven shots. His influence on the game was clear as he was Liverpool’s most dangerous player, scoring an absolutely world class …
Liverpool 1-1 Everton - Reds drop points in the Derby
Mo Salah scored a brilliant goal, and Wayne Rooney equalised from the spot as Liverpool were held to a frustrating and slightly unfair 1-1 draw in a tense, hard-fought Merseyside Derby.
Tactically speaking, Everton will have been largely happy to sit back and let Liverpool control the game. And whilst the Reds did clearly dictate, dominating possession and having all of the chances, Everton largely frustrated them.
That’s not to say that Liverpool didn’t have chances, with James Milner having …
The Merseyside Derby Preview - Key Battles
After the business was taken care off in style in European competition on Wednesday, Liverpool return to Premier League action with something maybe a little more serious at stake - local bragging rights. Also, the continued singing of "Merry Christmas, Everton!" over the festive period.
There is no time to sit back and rest on the laurels of the 7-0 spanking of the Russian champions that must have made Europe take notice of the attacking force that this team is, …
The Magnificent Seven: How Liverpool Trounced Spartak
Since September, in our match analyses, we've concluded more often than not that Liverpool's performances have warranted better scorelines, that the underlying performances have actually been rather good, even despite the growing discontent with Jürgen Klopp's side through October as the team struggled, with a particular low-point against Spurs, and even into November as Liverpool conceded late on to Chelsea, familiar angry voices, from last season's winter rut reemerged. After 32 goals in 9 games, I have one question for …
Liverpool Flying After Superb Post-Spurs Response
When the final whistle blew at Wembley Stadium on October 22nd, there was a feeling of complete and utter dejection if you were a Liverpool fan.
The Reds had been battered 4-1 by Tottenham, and on an afternoon that saw Dejan Lovren fall to pieces, Simon Mignolet make errors and the entire team show a complete lack of fight, a top-four challenge seemed unlikely.
Spurs were being tipped to be Man City’s closest title challengers, while their beleaguered opponents were …
Overhauling Liverpool’s Historic Lack of Goals
Over the years and certainly in the Premier League era, Liverpool fans have become accustomed to defence first football. The Liverpool of the Premier League have played football that is predominately tight, cautious, balanced and astute. There's nothing wrong with that defence first mentality, but how many league titles did it result in? None.
Arguably Liverpool's most renowned managers since '00 are Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, as these two managed the club for a combined twelve years in the …
Tactical Versatility, Naby Keita and a Sign of Things to Come
Horses for courses
With Jurgen Klopp showing an encouraging level of pragmatism following the Spurs game, he deserves a great deal of credit. Whilst his squad is not yet at the level he would want, he is maximising what he has at his disposal.
An interesting recent tactical development is the use of the 442, arguably a precursor for things to come next season. Many have spoken about a 4231/424, but essentially Klopp used a fluid 442 against West Ham …
Key Stats from Liverpool 7-0 Spartak Moscow
Liverpool ran riot on a famous and record-breaking night at Anfield, putting Spartak Moscow to the sword to secure their second 7-0 win of the group stage and cruise into the Last 16 of the Champions League as group winners. So what were the key stats from the night?
Clinical Reds Don’t Dominate
When I say that Liverpool didn’t dominate this game, what I mean is that on paper they weren’t as wholly on top of every stat as you’d …