How Klopp Has Made a Weapon of Versatility
“He is a brilliant player and I am happy that he can play…he has a defending brain and can do it in different positions, it’s good.”Klopp said of Fabinho following his impressive performance at centre back against Brighton. It was a performance emblematic of Klopp’s plans coming to fruition. Indeed, if the Reds’ title challenge shows anything, it’s that long-term planning, with the right investment and right appointments, works. Philosophies, they work too. A sense of the …
Liverpool's Defence Is More Than VVD and Alisson
It’s true that Virgil Van Dijk is the best centre-back in the league. It’s true that his impact on this Liverpool team has been absolutely tremendous, and it’s true that his signing is one of the best that Liverpool have made in years.
Likewise, it’s true that buying Alisson Becker was an absolutely crucial piece of the puzzle. Alisson has magnified the issues that Liverpool’s previous keepers have made, immediately established himself as one of the league’s top shot-stoppers and …
Why Judging Mané and Firmino By Goals Scored is Foolish
While Mohamed Salah once again stole all of the headlines in Liverpool's latest win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium at the weekend, it can be quite easy for criticism to be drawn to his attacking colleagues as to their contributions to goals this season.
Jürgen Klopp's revered front three draw plaudits the world over last season for their dazzling displays both domestically and in Europe, as the Reds plundered goals for fun and amassed 47 goals in the Champions …
Commander Klopp
A mild wind blows through the open roof, seagulls squawking high above as the distant sea air fills the nostrils.
Sprinklers twist and turn, sending water spritzing in dancing circles. Neatly trimmed grass clipped and groomed to perfection. The netting rustling as it is tightened on opposite ends. A pristine field. The perfect place for battle. One hundred and one meters long by 68 meters wide. An arena for gladiators to showcase their best; to reach for the stars and etch …
Conservative Reds Show Substance Over Style
There was a moment in the first half of Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Brighton where Gini Wijnaldum picked the ball up 20/25 yards from goal, assessed his options, passed the ball sideways to Jordan Henderson, who promptly gave the ball back to Wijnaldum, only for Gini to turn around and pass the ball 40 yards backwards to Fabinho. My groan was audible. It was that sort of game.
This article isn’t necessarily going to be a defence of that moment, …
Brighton 0-1 Liverpool: A Tactical Breakdown
When it comes to stifling Liverpool's attacking ability this season, Chris Hughton's Brighton side has probably been one of the most successful. In the league match at Anfield, it was a single mistake - through taking a short free-kick inside their own half, and allowing themselves to be pressed - which was punished. Apart from that, their defensive performance was sound, astute and very rarely under threat. The same was largely true of Brighton's first-half performance against Liverpool.
Brighton's setup
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Observations as Liverpool get the job done at the AMEX
Liverpool continued to set the pace at the top of the league table as Liverpool got the better of Brighton in what was a tough examination of Liverpool's title-seeking credentials. Liverpool stepped up their tempo in the second half after a snooze fest of a first half.
The key observations from the game
Fabinho passes the Centre-Back test
Liverpool headed into a game with a make-shift centre back pairing , but with Liverpool expected to dominate possession, there was hope …
Key Stats As Salah Sees Off The Seagulls (Again)
Liverpool broke their mini-run of poor form with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brighton on the south coast. But what were the key stats from a vital victory at the Amex?
Salah The Difference Yet Again
How many times is Mo Salah going to be the man to drag Liverpool out of a hole? Salah has now scored nine goals to give Liverpool the lead in games, all nine of which the Reds have won, and three of those they’ve …
Ageism Is Working Against James Milner
When a footballer hits 30, or at least in and around that age, something instantly changes in the way they are perceived by supporters.
Every bad performance is suddenly due to their advancing years, every misplaced pass is because they’re not as young as they once were and they are used as target practice every time their side suffers defeat.
Steven Gerrard even suffered from it, which says it all.
This is something we are suddenly seeing come to the …
Ajax Pair Could Help Liverpool’s Title Bid
The January transfer window is now open.
After Liverpool’s first defeat of the Premier League season to rivals Manchester City, it is possible that manager Jurgen Klopp could be tempted to dip into the transfer market.
Liverpool still hold a four-point lead at the top of the Premiership and whilst the current squad may have Klopp’s backing, it may be wise for the club to strengthen this month.
Having won all their December fixtures and enjoying a successful festive period, …