Burnley 0-3 Liverpool: Observations as Reds close in on commendable salvage job
Tuesday night's undesirable scoreline at Stamford Bridge raised the prospect of goal difference proving decisive, yet that seemed like a problem for Sunday.
For this fixture - a midweek trip to Burnley, whose reputation as feather-ruffling traditionalists precedes them and who were sure to be buoyed by the return of spectators - the assignment was to win by any means.
I joked in the build-up that Nat Phillips might have to channel the energy of Ragnar Klavan and come up …
Tactical Breakdown: Liverpool 0-1 Burnley
As this bizarre season crosses its midpoint, Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool appears in trouble. The side is yet to score in the league this month and have surrendered first spot in the league to Manchester United, who are almost certainly set to be usurped by Manchester City. As readers of this series will no doubt already be aware, the Reds' poor run of results started with some bad performances, but recent performances have been far more positive, but without the result …
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United: Player ratings as Reds draw blank against arch-rivals
This was an occasion for Liverpool to banish their rut. Instead, they've sunk further into it.
The draw with arch-rivals United keeps the Reds three points off the pace, but above all it cements Manchester City's newly-established status as title favourites.
Belief among supporters and among the players is clearly low. Liverpool aren't functioning as a unit given their makeshift defence and with every match the task of retaining their title is growing more difficult.
Joel Matip's imminent return will …
An Ode To Andy Robertson: Liverpool's Consistent Scot
For all the talk of the need for Liverpool to reinforce their defence with new signings, their most consistent players ply their trade in the area.
Andy Robertson and Fabinho -- previously a defensive midfielder who is learning to play in the heart of defence on the fly -- have been the Reds standout performers so far in an attritional, compressed season.
With the long term injuries to both Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, the Champions' preferred centre-half pairing, …
Liverpool And Their Calculated Defensive Gamble
Gambling, by its very nature, doesn't always come off.
There can be no debate that Liverpool -- after the sale of Dejan Lovren to Zenit St Petersburg -- gambled when they didn't sign a centre half last summer.
Instead, the Reds pushed the boat out to sign Thiago Alcantara from FC Bayern and planned on using Fabinho as their fourth choice centre half.
Now, with long term injuries to both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez that strategy looks shortsighted, …
Priceless Matip faces career-defining period at Liverpool
When it rains, it pours. Or in Liverpool's case, when it rains, a monsoon arrives.
The Reds find themselves in one of the most bleak, unfortunate injury situations in their recent history, following an awful period in the fitness department.
When Virgil van Dijk was ruled out for the season with cruciate ligament damage it felt bad enough, but in the weeks since, things have got even worse for Jurgen Klopp.
Having to make do without the likes of Thiago, …
Understated Robertson continues superb start to the season
In years and decades to come, Liverpool supporters will look back at this phenomenal team and pick out the poster boys from it, lavishing them with love and praise.
Whereas some great teams only have two or three iconic figures to bore future generations to death about, there are endless contenders in this Liverpool side.
Virgil van Dijk is a defensive colossus who completely transformed the team when he arrived, with the unrivalled Alisson not too far behind in that …
Thiago Return Could Help With Liverpool's Adrian Woes
Let's face it, with the exceptions of Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah, no one came out of Liverpool's 7-2 mauling by Aston Villa with their reputations enhanced.
Most of the social media scorn, however, has been directed at Adrian.
The accident-prone Spanish goalkeeper played an unfortunate role in the first of Villa's avalanche of goals.
Although Joe Gomez's positioning and communication could have been better, Adrian sold his team-mate down the river with an under-hit pass to the defender in …
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 horrible. Losing games you deserve to win, games against rivals, close games. All rubbish stuff.
Getting spanked by Aston Villa, courtesy of a hat-trick of …
Liverpool, the High Line and Perception
Like it or not, perception is often more important than reality, at least in the world of football. For example, scoring a goal can see a player’s match rating jump from a 6/10 to an 8/10 and a misplaced pass that results in a big chance basically undoes all the prior good work. Liverpool are currently dealing with an unfounded narrative. The champions may have a 100% record in the Premier League but there’s a feeling they’ve been fortunate in …