Observations as Liverpool cruise to second win in a row
Liverpool ran out winners against bogey team Crystal Palace on Monday night, leaving fresh hope that Klopp’s side can truly match Man City for the Premier League title this season. Goals from James Milner and Sadio Mane confirmed a 2-0 win, giving the Reds six points from a possible six thus far.
Here are the observations from the match.
Mane in for a stellar campaign
If Salah was Liverpool’s main man last season, it sure as hell looks like Mane …
Joe Gomez and the Need for Patience
On Sunday, Joe Gomez made his long-awaited Premier League debut at centre back for Liverpool. Signed from Charlton back in 2015 with an eye to a future as a Liverpool centre-back, Gomez has so far followed the well-trodden path for youthful centre back prospects at Anfield - playing at fullback.
This path has often been a problematic one, with Jamie Carragher the only player I can think of who has successfully carved out a first-team spot at centre back after …
Joe Gomez: The Next Carragher?
Joe Gomez signed for Liverpool as an exciting young centre-back who at 17 years old had broken into Charlton's first team. In 18 first team starts he'd played both centre-back and right-back, showing his pace, power and surprising physicality given his age.
Due to a spate of injuries in the squad, Gomez started his Liverpool career playing out of position as a left back. At 18 years old he looked assured, composed and ready for the challenge of playing for …
Trent Alexander-Arnold: The Rise of a Local Star
A local lad from West Derby, Trent Alexander-Arnold embodies the very spirit and culture of the city of Liverpool. Growing up within walking distance of Melwood, he would watch Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Jamie Carragher through cracks in the wall. He knows the city, its people and its values: he just gets it.
Since Gerrard and Carragher retired there’s been seldom home-grown lads making the grade at Anfield. Two players not just loved for their undoubted ability, every time …
How Does Klopp Juggle Liverpool’s Huge Upcoming Games?
The international break has been and gone, and we can all get back to enjoying proper football again.
As March slowly turns to April, Liverpool’s season is alive and kicking, with the Premier League and Champions League promising some great occasions in the coming weeks.
Looking at the short-term outlook over the next two weeks, the Reds have four gigantic meetings on the horizon.
First, they head to Crystal Palace for a tricky test on Saturday lunchtime, before hosting Man …
Degsy Does Dallas - the end for Lovren?
Talking to Trev Downey for the Molby on the Spot podcast this week, Jan Molby gave his opinion on Dejan Lovren after the Man United game: "He's played himself back into trouble, hasn't he? In terms of Mourinho and his tactics, there's no doubt that they picked on Lovren a little bit. They decided that Lukaku could handle him in the air, and also physically. However, I still think there's a long way from Lukaku winning the flick on or …
The Presence Of Virgil van Dijk Will Lift Those Around Him
Something that stands out immediately when you look at Virgil van Dijk is the authority he possesses. There is a real aura about him.
It is something that has always been evident with the Rolls Royce centre-back, whether it be as a youngster at FC Groningen, someone way ahead of the rest at Celtic or during an outstanding three-year spell at Southampton.
The 26-year-old has only made one appearance for Liverpool, so going overboard can risk future mocking, but he …
Liverpool's New-Found Squad Depth Paying Dividends
Since Liverpool stopped ruling English football in 1990, there are many reasons why a return to the summit of the game has continued to evade them.
There have been dreadful signings, bemusing managerial appointments, unprofessional squads and rivals spending vast chunks of money, among many others factors.
One of the Reds' greatest Achilles heels has been a lack of squad depth - something that has held back many of their best teams over the last quarter of a century.
The …
Klopp Needs Our Support Now More Than Ever
My 3 part series "The Klopp Project" discussed some of the context around the club's current position and fortunes. Context is one thing, but the Spurs debacle at Wembley (Huddersfield result notwithstanding) put some things into perspective.
It is undeniable that LFC and, perhaps more pertinently, Jurgen Klopp stands at a crossroad. It almost beggars belief that we're now broaching the subject of sacking Klopp. Especially considering it is only two years since the acclaimed, larger-than-life German walked into the …
Do Liverpool FC Really Lack Leaders?
Liverpool doesn’t have any leaders on the pitch… Or so the argument goes lately amongst the club's supporters.
But, is that really true. Is leadership what the Reds are lacking?
A quick glance at Liverpool’s squad and you’ll notice several players who have been chosen as captains by other managers, other teams, international and club sides.
Jordan Henderson isn’t just Liverpool’s captain, he’s England’s captain.
Phil Coutinho was selected as Brazil’s captain for the first time over the summer.
Gini …