With the Reds comfortably turning Man Metropolis over 2-0, there have been dialogue factors aplenty to mull over as Liverpool supporters made probably the most of a wonderful day at Anfield.
Earlier than the sport, there have been fears that Man Metropolis‘s luck would flip and that Sunday could possibly be the second their high quality gamers turned issues round.
Fortunately, this wasn’t the case and Liverpool dominated in opposition to Pep Guardiola’s facet, producing a show that was harking back to Jurgen Klopp‘s groups’ however with Arne Slot‘s added affect on the movement of the match.
Right here, Sam Millne (@sam_millne) and Olivia Heslington (@livfhes) focus on the nice, the not-so-good and Liverpool’s defensive choices going ahead after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Man Metropolis.
The great…
LIV: It’s attending to the purpose the place there are not any extra phrases within the English dictionary to explain the sensation!
One other recreation goes by and it’s as if we’re simply unstoppable. Actual Madrid and Man Metropolis in the identical week and we gained each – no person would’ve mentioned that initially of the season when the fixture checklist was introduced and right here we’re.
We now have to say once more, Mo Salah is unimaginable in each recreation. An help for the primary aim and scoring the second – he’s right here, there and in all places.
SAM: It might be early within the season however if you happen to can’t benefit from the soccer now, when are you able to?
Successful the league isn’t nearly lifting the trophy, it’s in regards to the journey you go on throughout the season as needs flip to expectation and want turns to want.
The nine-point hole to Arsenal may be closed in a short time, however Liverpool have proven they aren’t a group to break down rapidly.
A setback, which is totally potential at Newcastle or Everton, must be simply that, a setback, and Liverpool ought to have the psychological fortitude to struggle till the very finish for the league.
Get pleasure from this, Reds; it’s not each season that Liverpool win 18 of their first 20 video games!
LIV: I additionally thought Virgil Van Dijk was excellent. It was a correct captain’s efficiency from the centre-back.
He actually stored Haaland in his place and didn’t enable him any via runs. Aside from the last-minute mistake, he had a superb efficiency and Kelleher stored us that clear sheet.
Clearly Harvey Elliott got here again for a couple of minutes from his damage and that was nice to see, too.
The mentality our facet should have now might be unimaginable – 9 factors clear on the prime of the desk and it doesn’t appear to be different groups will take any from us.
The unhealthy…
LIV: Declaring the apparent, the contract state of affairs for our three gamers and our damage checklist are the negatives.
It will get an increasing number of worrying as video games go on, and we’re discovering out the membership nonetheless haven’t made sturdy sufficient gives but.
Given they’re key gamers in our squad, it’s getting more durable and more durable to disregard and also you’re counting on hope actually. If we don’t hear about something come January, I believe that’s when the stress will improve.
SAM: As Liv says, the contract state of affairs is a fear however fortunately doesn’t appear to be affecting the group in any approach.
One thing that may have a direct impression on the facet, although, is the damage checklist.
Konate, Tsimikas and Bradley are all an enormous miss as Liverpool attempt to rotate over a busy Christmas interval. There’s additionally nonetheless no signal of Diogo Jota who has now been out for 5 weeks.
How do you assess Liverpool’s defensive choices with Bradley, Konate and Tsimikas injured?
SAM: The primary challenge with all three being injured directly is the dearth of canopy we now have.
Slot has been eager to maintain his full-backs recent to date and it will turn into more and more tough with no clear replacements for Alexander-Arnold or Robertson.
We all know Joe Gomez can play throughout the backline, so he could now get an prolonged run of video games as he’s requested to fill in on each side of the defence.
Apparently, although, in opposition to Man Metropolis, we noticed Jarell Quansah come on for Trent at right-back, however he doesn’t appear to be an apparent alternative to begin a recreation in that place.
Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones have been touted as potential choices to play at right-back, too, however neither can be naturally suited to the function – the identical may be mentioned for anybody filling in for Robertson.
LIV: It’s an enormous blow I believe. We don’t have many backup gamers for our defence as it’s – if Robertson had been to get injured now, we’d have nobody to interchange him due to Tsimikas being injured too.
Bradley’s efficiency in opposition to Madrid as nicely was simply excellent. It’s such a disgrace it led to the way in which it did as a result of I personally assume he’ll be crucial to us.
It’s good we now have Gomez who can slot into any place on the again, make no fuss and get on with it. Liverpool are fortunate to nonetheless have him.
Konate’s presence on the again is outstanding too – similar once more with Bradley, he holds the road and he doesn’t again down from a problem.
Like I mentioned earlier than, the squad depth is a large problem for us now on the again and with the checklist of fixtures we’re up in opposition to, it gained’t be straightforward.
