Jim Boardman and Jay Reid are back for another episode of Scouser Tommies, sharing their thoughts from Merseyside on all the latest with Liverpool FC.
Arne Slot got his Anfield era off to a great start but, just as the momentum was really building up, along came an international break, followed by something of a wake up call with his first defeat as Reds boss, and a home one at that.
Up next was a trip to Milan for the first game in the new look Champions League, and with Slot's side a goal down within a couple of minutes, it didn't seem like anyone had woken up.
What followed next was a lesson in how to win away in Europe, as good a performance as seen in any of the six campaigns that ended with Liverpool's name back on the European Cup, as the Reds took control of the game and came away comfortable winners against an AC Milan side that had few answers.
For anyone lucky enough to miss the Forest game, no names mentioned, it might feel like someone has been on a huge wind-up and that result didn't happen. Opening moments aside, Liverpool looked as good against Milan as they did in those games leading up to the international break, playing in the style that has seen them retain much of what was already good with the addition of more control in their passing, more thought in their movement.
For those who weren't lucky enough to escape the Forest game, it brought into sharp focus some of the issues that might be to the Reds' downfall this season if they aren't addressed. As Jay explains, Slot seems to be worryingly averse to rotating his squad, playing the same XI game after game. There were big gaps between the first few fixtures, but coming back from international duty and going into an intense period of two games a week until the next international break, Jay expected more changes.
As Jim adds, the squad wasn't strengthened in the summer, more players left than joined, and it really is time to start spreading the workload around. Slot tends to leave his substitutions until late, so those on the pitch are getting a lot of minutes - and those on the bench might be rustier than we'd like when they do get to play.
There's another home game up next, again against one of the sides that Liverpool would always be expected to beat. But being expected to beat a side doesn't mean the job's already been done, which maybe was part of the problem in the weekend just gone.
After that comes the start of Liverpool's defence of their League Cup, but as good as it is to be lifting trophies in our second home, Anfield South, Jay hopes that Slot prioritises it appropriately and makes more use of his squad. As Jim points out, it's an ideal opportunity to give some of those lads who've mainly been warming the bench a chance to show what they can do in a competitive game.
It's been a start most Reds would have been delighted with had they been offered it before the start of the season, so any criticism of Slot is still very limited, and with many Reds it just constructive criticism - and no Liverpool manager has been immune from that from the Kop at one stage or other!
Across the park there's plenty of criticism, none of it all that constructive, as they stayed welded to the bottom of the table - but at least they've not got a cup run to worry about. Some things never change…
Dave & Karl preview Liverpool's next game as the reds welcome Bournemouth to Anfield as they look to bounce back in the Premier League. They also look at some of the early season sackings with De Rossi being sacked by Roma.
On the latest RAW, Trev Downey, Dave Hendrick and Karl Matchett analyse the very encouraging away win at the San Siro as The Reds begin their Champions League campaign with 3 points.
On today's episode Dave looks at the LFC news & gossip, as Liverpool prepare for tonight's game against Milan. He also looks at the topic of players striking.
Dave Davis previews Arne Slot and Alison's Milan press conference including:
- Alisson's thoughts on the calendar
- Slot on Szoboszlai
- Milan threats
- Predicted line-up and scorers
The Liverbirds are back on the perch after the international break to talk all things LFC.
Amy Kate Randi and Gae discuss the very disappointing performance and result v Forest, our forthcoming re-entry into the CL v AC Milan, squad rotation, and some of the wider football stories.
Hamzah is away with work so Darth hosts Si and the returning Dr Barts to review the first defeat of the season against Nottingham Forest.
Part 1) Fatigue Index Update and Tactical Periodisation deep-dive
Before getting into the match analysis the Sports Science Duo do a deep-dive on Fatigue Index, the impacts of long haul travel and the methods of the new backroom team
Part 2) Match Analysis
• Lineups/gameplan - Liverpool
• Lineups/gameplan - Forest
• Match Summary: Possession, XG, XA, XT, Shots, Big Chances
• Patterns of play to first sub
• Grav man marked
• Konate left free
• LFC execution, touch and final ball
Part 3) 2nd Half
• LFC triple sub – pre planned?
• CHO winner - a series of small mistakes
• 4th / 5th subs, what was the plan?
Statspack: https://drbarts.quarto.pub/match-day-4-season-2425/
