Fabinho

Ajax 0-1 Liverpool: Player ratings as Reds battle to three Group D points

Liverpool ended their run of three games without a win by doggedly beating Ajax. Nicolas Tagliafico's clumsy own-goal was ultimately the difference, though Davy Klaassen hit the post and Liverpool spurned opportunities of their own in the closing stages. Here's how the Reds rated in Amsterdam... Adrian - 7 It was far from a confident start - the...

Liverpool Open Group D Campaign With Win

An own goal from Nicolas Tagliafico saw Liverpool open their Champions League Group D campaign with a 1-0 victory away to Ajax. Far from their best, the Reds -- who played a makeshift centre half pairing of Joe Gomez and Fabinho -- battled their way to a win in a professional rather than purring showing. It...

Fabinho may well be first-choice centre-back in Van Dijk’s absence

It's strange to think, but Liverpool's second-best centre-back, after Virgil van Dijk, may well be Fabinho. This isn't an article having a go at a clearly excellent, but still young and developing Joe Gomez. I'm a huge fan of Gomez as a defender. Still only 23, the former Charlton Athletic player is one of England's...

Virgil Loss Will Be a Huge Blow But Liverpool Are Still Brilliant

Let's get the captain obvious statement out of the way at the beginning, shall we? Liverpool will miss Virgil van Dijk during his injury lay off, which, per reports, could last anything from six to nine months. If you could manufacture the perfect centre half in a lab, equipped with elite physical, mental, technical and leadership...

Tactical Breakdown: Everton 2-2 Liverpool

Liverpool's goalless draw against Everton back in June - the first game of the restarted league season - was an intriguing affair in which Everton posed a number of tactical questions to Liverpool, and was able to slow down the red juggernaut. With Ancelotti's coaching clearly making a difference to Everton's performance, this game...

Analysis: Is the Liverpool press failing?

Liverpool's success since the appointment of Jurgen Klopp has been built around the press. Initially, it was full-throttle, relentless and tiring to watch. But as the team evolved, so did the press. Their approach was more meticulous, their approach was more intelligent and they seemed to take a more measured approach to it all. It...

Why Fabinho needs another centre-back

Every top team wants versatile players. In fact, they need flexible players to give them the option of changing things within a match without having to make changes. Liverpool, as an example, have deployed Sadio Mane on the left, on the right and at times centrally. Mohamed Salah has played right-wing and as a...

Player ratings as Liverpool succumb to Villa Park embarrassment

Where to start with that one? Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool. That's *SEVEN* goals for the team that escaped relegation last season due to a goal line technology error, against the Champions of England. Not sure if this puts my #ProperRed status at risk, but I laughed through that. A lot. Listen, losing big games is...

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Reds prove too good for Gunners

Jurgen Klopp got the better of Mikel Arteta at the third time of asking as Liverpool continued their perfect start with a 3-1 win against Arsenal. Sadio Mané, Andrew Robertson and home debutant Diogo Jota were on target for the defending champions, securing victory after Alexandre Lacazette was presented with the opener in all-too-familiar fashion. This...

Tactical Breakdown: Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

An uncharacteristically error-strewn opening game left Liverpool much to atone for. Against Chelsea, the side played with fanatic verve and doctrinal discipline, banishing the demons that had led to questions over Liverpool's commitment and ability to retain the title. This was, by a distance, the best Liverpool have played since March, six long months...