Fabinho Masterclass Completes Magical 12 Months
November 3rd, 2018. Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool.
The Reds have just earned a credible draw away to the Gunners, admittedly failing to hold onto a lead but also outlining their Premier League title credentials.
On an evening when a number of Liverpool players shone at the Emirates, in particular Virgil van Dijk, much of the post-match talk surrounded Fabinho.
Experiencing his gelling-in period at Anfield, the Brazilian was well off the pace throughout, lacking dynamism and influence at the base of …
Four Years of Jurgen Klopp - Part 5: Klopp 4-0 Impossible
This month marks four years since Jürgen Klopp took charge at Anfield and began the process of transforming the Reds into one of the most dominant teams in world football.
You can read the previous entries in the series below:
Part 1: Liverpool 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
Part 2: Manchester City 1-4 Liverpool
Part 3: Liverpool 4-3 Borussia Dortmund
Part 4: Spurs 4-1 Liverpool
Now for the final entry...
Liverpool 4-0 FC Barcelona - 7 May 2019
Liverpool XI: Alisson, …
Jurgen Klopp's tactical masterclass against Manchester United
It’s been described by parts of the Manchester United media as an Ole Gunnar Solskjær masterclass.
The Red Devils took to the Old Trafford pitch for the match against Liverpool with one purpose. It wasn’t to win, it was simply not to lose. It’s been a common theme over recent seasons with the power shift between the two sides becoming more and more evident. United used to be the clear favourites in these clashes. Now they aren’t even the favourites …
Indispensable but under-rotated - Liverpool's flying full-backs
If ever there was a goal to highlight how influential Liverpool's full-backs are on the team, the Reds' second goal against RB Salzburg was exactly that. From Andy Robertson stepping into midfield to the ball being transferred to the opposite side of the pitch for Trent Alexander-Arnold to find his on-running full-back partner with a delightful low cross. It was an exceptional goal from two unbelievably talented full-backs. The levels both of them have been performing at for more than …
Liverpool's Full Backs Add New Attacking Dimension
A prominent and recurring feature of Pep Guardiola's trophy-laden spell as manager of Manchester City has been the Catalan's utilisation of his expensively assembled full backs as ostensible centre midfielders.
The positioning of his full backs has provided his City side with numerous advantages.
Firstly, it allows for effective triangle shapes to be created between the full back, winger and attacking midfielders. This adds layers to the Etihad sides' attack and allows the likes of De Bruyne and the Silva's, …
Player Ratings as Liverpool best Chelsea at the Bridge
Six in a row, 15 in a row, five points clear and all the jazz that comes with it. 'Lucky Liverpool' were at it again, the whole winning thing, at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
First-half goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino giving the Reds enough room to hold off a Chelsea fightback in the second-half, N'Golo Kante's superb strike proving a consolation.
Trying to distract myself from *that* Eden Hazard banner, here's your ratings...
Adrian proves his worth once …
Why Firmino Makes it all Work
As the dust settled on a convincing victory at one of Liverpool’s most precarious hunting grounds, and a spat between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané proliferated the post-match headlines, it was one cheeky smile and movement of the eyes that set everybody at ease.
Indeed, it was also the arm of Roberto Firmino around Sadio Mané, as the latter continued his remonstrations with his manager regarding his partner in crime’s noticeable hunger for a goal, that showed Liverpool fans what …
The Case For Clyne
Truth be told, Nathaniel Clyne is not an ideal fit for the Jurgen Klopp Liverpool of 2019.
That's not to say the former Crystal Palace and Southampton full-back is a bad player; objectively, he is -- as Premier League full-backs go -- good.
But with Liverpool's ultra attacking and productive full-back pairing of Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson setting the bar ridiculously high, Clyne will find his game time -- provided he stays -- limited unless injuries occur.
There …
Why Keita could be key to Liverpool becoming English Kings
In the context of a football match, a midfielder receiving the ball, dawdling on it, eating a few seconds of time before laterally recycling it is no big deal. It happens umpteen times in the course of every game.
In the case of Naby Keita’s Liverpool career, however, it could be symbolic of the Guinean fully acclimating to both Jurgen Klopp’s tactical demands and the pressure’s associated with playing for a worldwide footballing institution such as the Reds.
In a …
Five left backs who could replace Alberto Moreno
The confirmation that Alberto Moreno will be leaving Liverpool after a five-year stint at the club finally came this week.
The Spaniard has found it impossible to prize minutes away from Andy Robertson who is arguably the world best left back at this moment in time.
This announcement means the club has no obvious back-up for Robertson and they must look to rectify this during the summer transfer window.
With game time severely reduced, it may be hard to get …