Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal - Player Ratings as Reds stroll past Gunners
Liverpool made it three wins out of three to start the Premier League season, with a superb 3-1 win at Anfield, on an evening when the Reds were dominant for large parts of the game.
After a first half that Jurgen Klopp's side controlled, Joel Matip gave them the lead with a superb header off a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner. Mo Salah scored an early second-half brace to put the game beyond Arsenal, even as Lucas Torreira grabbed the Gunners a …
The lack of full back cover at Liverpool is an uncalculated risk
Liverpool Football Club currently has quite possibly the best full-back pair in the world. Last season was record-breaking for both Trent-Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson. Shattering the assists records, while covering the flanks of the best defence in the league. Oh, and they also won the European Cup in one of the most memorable campaigns in recent history. It doesn't get better than that. We are a week away from the first league game of 2019/2020 and to the surprise …
Liverpool's wonderkid approach will lead to success
It seems to the case every single year now but this summer transfer window had the potential to be the biggest in the clubs history. With Liverpool just needing to make subtle tweaks to a squad that amassed 97 points and a sixth European Cup, it was, on paper at least, a much easier task than in years gone by.
The Reds didn’t need a £60million-rated goalkeeper being courted by many of Europe’s elite. They didn’t need to part with …
Klopp's Full-Back Conundrum
Liverpool’s season is almost over, with only the Champions League final left. That, coupled with the fact that the Premier League transfer window is already open, means that transfer speculation and target hunting is the order of the day.
Now, most of the speculation regarding Liverpool seems to be that the Reds aren’t planning to spend lots of money this summer, but are merely planning to replace players who leave and touch up the squad. This makes sense, given that …
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. …
Player Ratings as Reds pull off massive 2-0 win over Chelsea
What a massive win! Liverpool were definitely the better side as they beat Chelsea 2-0 at Anfield. Sadio Mane opened the scoring, before Mohamed Salah thundered in a long-ranger at the Kop End to double the lead.
The Reds had a few nervy moments after being two goals up, when Eden Hazard hit the post once, and forced a save off Alisson, but post that, there were no worries for the Reds.
Here's how each player fared.
Alisson Becker - …
Fear in the Presence of Success
Like it or not, fear, in many forms, has been riddled throughout the supporter ranks since January. Looking at a Premier League title and a Champions League trophy hanging in the balance of the next two months, understandably so. What's needed instead, however, is an emotion that seems to be lacking in most corners of the internet at the moment.
Calm.
This isn’t an article about heavy statistics like expected goals or Premier League schedule analysis. Instead, a plea: let’s breathe …
Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich: Who was man of the match?
It may not have been another great European night Anfield, but it's hard for Liverpool fans to be too disappointed with a goalless draw against a Bayern Munich side who issued a reminder of their class.
Aside from a rather frantic ten-minute spell just before the break, the Reds struggled to fashion out many openings against their cautious and regimented opponents, who executed their game-plan well.
Importantly, though, there were relatively few nervous moments at the other end, even with …
From a Weakness to a Strength: How Liverpool Finally Solved Their Left-Back Problem
Liverpool have had their fair share of dross players over the years: Antonio Nunez, Christian Poulsen and Milan Jovanovic roll straight off the tongue, for example. Indeed, the last few years have produced some teams with a dearth of star quality, culminating in frustrating league finishes and forgettable campaigns.
The left-back role arguably provides the perfect summation of those times. No matter the progression or trajectory of the club, the long-term image of the manager or the changing dynamics of …