Mane

Decisive December? – Crucial Month for Liverpool’s Season

Everyone always says that nothing is won in December, and they'd be absolutely right, but things can certainly be lost over the busy Christmas period. Between now and the FA Cup Third Round on the first weekend in the New Year, the Reds will play six matches - including the visit of West Ham...

Liverpool 2 West Ham 2 – Player Ratings

Liverpool drop points on back to back weekends as defensive issues cost the home side the spoils! Here are my ratings for today's game. Loris Karius (6): Early punch away from a corner and then solid save from Antonio, but he's got to do better with Payet's free-kick, despite it curling away from him. Fantastic punch...

Liverpool – A Squad in Crisis?

A mere few weeks ago Liverpool were well and truly flying, yet a flurry of injuries, including one to Phillipe Coutinho, suddenly dampened the mood around Anfield, and the recent humiliating defeat to Bournemouth only sought to worsen the atmosphere surrounding Liverpool FC. But with the January transfer window approaching, and with Mané soon...

Where Data Meet Tactics: Ball Retention and Loss of Possession

These words were written to accompany the following graphic, and provide further context to the data. https://twitter.com/AIUnderPressure/status/804631753591816192 Working Out The first important piece of context regarding this graphic is that it’s not based on passes. It’s based on losses of possession due to a poor touch or an unsuccessful dribble. The numbers were calculated by dividing losses of...

Bournemouth 4 Liverpool 3 – Player Ratings

Liverpool fell to their second defeat of the season as a second-half capitulation at Dean Court saw Bournemouth take the three points with a 4-3 victory. Sadio Mane and Divock Origi gave Liverpool a 2-0 lead before Callum Wilson's penalty gave the Cherries hope. Emre Can restored the Reds' two-goal lead, but Ryan Fraser, Steve...

Liverpool 2-0 Leeds United – Player Ratings

On a night when Leeds United and Garry Monk did their growing reputation no harm, Liverpool booked a spot in the semi-final with a 2-0 win. Divock Origi opened the scoring, poking in a stunning cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the story of the night is undoubtedly Ben Woodburn becoming the club's youngest ever...

Tactical Analysis – Liverpool maintain composure to break down Sunderland resistance

The match at Anfield against Sunderland took on extra significance given the run of form enjoyed by Chelsea under Antonio Conte. Whilst it is remiss to place too much importance on a single result at this stage of the season there is still a danger in allowing your opponent to open up too much...

Why Emil Forsberg Should be a Target for Liverpool

Last January Liverpool were linked with a £6.6 million move for RB Leipzig attacker Emil Forsberg. It was an underwhelming link for fans who had expected Jurgen Klopp to bring in big name reinforcements and not players plying their trade in the Bundesliga 2 - the German equivalent of the Championship. As expected it was...

Observations from Liverpool’s win against Sunderland: Patience is key

The Reds weren't rampant. The floodgates didn't open like many had expected them to prior to kick-off.. Klopp's men didn't dismantle yet another side at Anfield. Instead, it was tense and a little uncomfortable as Sunderland threatened to frustrate the home side. They held out for 75 minutes but in the end Liverpool came away with...

Liverpool 2 Sunderland 0: Player Ratings

Liverpool overcame a battle of attrition and perseverance once again, the key difference being that Liverpool were rewarded for their efforts as the hosts came away with the three points and yet another clean-sheet. The celebration over the victory is sure to be tempered by the serious looking injury for Coutinho. This is how the...