Diogo Jota‘s purpose helped Liverpool declare their sixth Premier League win below Arne Slot, although there have been nonetheless enhancements to be made.
9 wins in 10, six wins in seven Premier League video games, two objectives conceded in these seven matches. Nonetheless you wish to body Slot’s begin, robust opposition or not, the Reds have exceeded most followers’ expectations.
What’s nice too, although, is that they haven’t exceeded Slot’s expectations – effectively, at the least he isn’t telling us that anyway.
He’s right here to win and that’s what the Reds are presently doing.
PRO – An excellent first half
Whereas the staff solely had one purpose to point out for his or her efforts, the primary half featured arguably a few of Liverpool’s finest soccer to this point this season.
Jota’s strike was a working example as Liverpool produced the definition of ‘slicing by means of’ the opponent – Kostas Tsimikas‘ completely weighting his move into Cody Gakpo, whose cross was met by Jota’s excellently-timed dart in direction of purpose.
These 45 minutes have been the very best instance of how Slot needs to assault and dominate sides. The Reds have been affected person across the field and waited for the proper time to move into the forwards.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been each very good with the ball at their ft and, as traditional, Ryan Gravenberch was very assured at taking the ball on the flip.
PRO – The incomers have been nice
This was the primary league match of the season through which Slot modified the midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Gravenberch.
Curtis Jones began as an alternative of Szoboszlai and slotted in completely, at first doing the job of the Hungarian earlier than transferring to a barely extra attacking position, filling Mac Allister’s footwear within the second half.
Tsimikas additionally had a strong recreation and whereas he won’t ever be Andy Robertson, the Greek is doing effectively in the intervening time when known as upon.
The principle man to notice, although, must be Gakpo. His kind is just sensible in the intervening time and appears so sharp each time he will get the ball. Going backward as effectively, he was an excellent asset on Saturday.
It was notable how he stayed on the left wing, with Luis Diaz introduced on to play on the fitting when Mo Salah got here off.
PRO – Virgil van Dijk remains to be the very best
What left is there to say about Van Dijk?
Effectively, I suppose we might have a pleasant chat about how effectively he has tailored to some barely totally different calls for from Slot.
One of many captain’s finest belongings has all the time been his lengthy passing which has been a key a part of his build-up play. He’s now additionally passing vertically at each alternative and making it simpler for his midfielders to obtain.
The captain performed extra passes into the ultimate third (10) than anybody else on the pitch towards Crystal Palace.
With Gravenberch able to obtain going through his personal purpose, Van Dijk picks out the foot his compatriot needs the ball on and this makes it simpler for the midfielder to open his physique up.
The skipper actually remains to be the perfect on the earth.
CON – Alisson, after all
You in all probability might have guessed this one. With out desirous to be too unfavorable after one other win, this can be a blow.
If Liverpool have been competing for the highest 4, we might be fantastic. If this harm had occurred a number of weeks in the past, we wouldn’t have been too pressured both.
The issue is that for Liverpool to win the league and even compete, they want each marginal benefit they’ll get.
With such a troublesome run of fixtures to come back, Caoimhin Kelleher shall be a protected pair of palms, in all probability even higher than protected.
Nonetheless, Alisson is a match winner and that’s what Liverpool will want when they’re grinding out outcomes thrice per week.
CON – Wrap it up earlier, Liverpool
If we’re being choosy, the one different unfavorable from the day was that Liverpool didn’t get the job carried out earlier, and it almost value them.
With so many matches, it could be a giant assist if the Reds might get issues wrapped up within the first 60 minutes so Slot could make his pre-planned modifications with out having the added fear of getting only a one-goal benefit.
Palace ought to have made Liverpool pay on Saturday – Eberechi Eze’s one-on-one miss was a very heart-stopping second for supporters.
If you’re solely up by one purpose, then you need to count on to face stress in direction of the top of a match. There are video games in a season when you need to maintain on, and Liverpool did that effectively this weekend, however maintaining these events to a minimal could be very useful in sustaining your power throughout an entire season.
