Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool - The Player Ratings
Caoimhin Kelleher - 7.0
A good first half, with lots of possession against Arsenals press. Solid composure under pressure, and another good outing.
Trent Alexander Arnold - 9.0
A great moment for the opening goal, and the playmaker is looking imperious on the ball. Gave good solidity at the back, and tracked runners well. Kept sliding into a central areas to create on the ball brilliance. The pass for the second goal was sensational.
Andy Robertson - 7.5
Limited on …
A Must Win Midfield
Manchester City will inevitably win this season's Premier League title, but Liverpool and Chelsea will certainly look to push as long and hard as they can, in the hope of an Etihad slip.
This weekend represents the biggest game of Liverpool’s season, and one after such a disappointing midweek showing. The away loss to Leicester was just about the most frustrating game imaginable, with an opportunity to gain momentum into the new year, simply lost. The reds appeared overconfident, and …
A Positive Christmas
It’s impossible to fully grasp how impactful this period of the season could be. It’s literally become a lottery for all football clubs, as to who in their squad list will test positive next. Managers cannot plan, training sessions and movement have to be monitored, yet fixtures will continue to come to all.
The Premier League management group supposedly held a meeting on Monday, where the decision was taken to continue as planned. How this next week shapes up is …
Liverpool 4 - 0 Southampton - The Player Ratings
Alisson Becker - 8.0
Some important stops allowed Liverpool to avoid any issues. The most important goalkeeper in Liverpool’s Premier League era, and irreplaceable in this side.
Trent Alexander Arnold - 8.0
So impressive in his game. The elegance and natural ability he has is unmatched by any other attacking fullback. Another assist for this sensational talent, and we could be about to see him become consistently world class
Andy Robertson - 9.0
There were signs against Porto (as a …
The Player Ratings: Liverpool 4 - 0 Arsenal
Alisson Becker - 7.5
Mistakes will come now and again, but the world's best stopper showed a commanding presence in a routine display.
Trent Alexander Arnold - 9.5
Sensational. The teams primary playmaker is transcending the fullback position. Any manager in world football (club football anyway) would have this man over any other, and his domination of the right hand side is becoming an on going problem for the opposition. Two great assists.
Kostas Tsimikas - 7.5
He had the …
The Reds' Midfield Going Forward
Standards have now become so high that any dropped points can lead to dismay within the Liverpool fanbase. After a draw at home to Brighton, and a loss to West Ham, Liverpool head into this weekend with a clear need to improve.
The international window has (as always) brought back an array of injury concerns. The provisional team will almost pick itself, yet the indications of the starting line up are still encouraging. As Andy Robertson joins the injury list, …
Time To Welcome Simeone
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A Jekyll and Hyde Midfield
I have written more about Gini Wijnaldum this season than last. His off ball intelligence was so understated, he could glide through games merely taking up good positions, and aiding the system with pure intelligence. His ability to help shield a solid defence, made that defence one of the best in Europe, and his defensive awareness was always a requirement that he could effortlessly bring. Gini was (and is) a technically gifted player, but the fundamentals of his play were …
Fabinho & the Need For A World Class Structure
The weekend's game (versus Watford) was a joy to behold. The build up was excellent, the patterns of play varying, the overloading on point, and one performance in particular was breath taking.
Games against Watford (and teams that are deemed vulnerable), are a superb means for players to find rhythm, for forwards to regain ruthless efficiency, and the defence to accrue another clean sheet. All Liverpool fans (myself included) were somewhat relieved to see players like Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita …
A New Recruitment Strategy
As Liverpool close in on another painful transfer window, Michael Edwards must soon decide how he is to engage in what could be his final dealings as Liverpool’s Sporting Director. Since FSG installed Michael Edwards into his role, he has had a near faultless record in being able to recruit undervalued players, thus allowing Jürgen Klopp to turn such players into bonafide superstars. The ability to engineer certain deals was always based upon club sales, and given the market is …