Virgil mentioned in the post match interview that he’d said it was gonna be a difficult season due to what happened off the pitch. So many people are forgetting some of these players are still trying to cope with the loss of a friend, on top of all the changes. But I trust the team and I trust Slot to turn it around. I will now proceed to unfollow most of the LFC fan accounts on instagram, some comments are infuriatingly toxic.
I haven’t seen the post match stuff, thanks for mentioning that. I don’t like to put a reference to Diogo in everything but what happened remains inescapable, so maybe I should. So many people look at Konaté’s performance and say he’s distracted by Madrid; maybe he’s distracted by the loss of a teammate and friend. Salah hasn’t been great; Salah cried on the pitch after the first game. And let’s be honest - some of Slot’s decisions seem odd but he’s grieving too.
the positives: (1) better defensively, (2) created enough to win, (3) Alex is "getting there"
DEFENSE ... as 1 of Andrew's 5 headline stats indicated, we allowed ZERO quality shots until stoppage time (when 2 midfielders were playing in defense along with Wata who shouldn't have been on the pitch in a match this important) ... arrow pointing up
CREATION ... created 1 sitter & 2 great chances from 10 yards center of goal (Dom & Alex didn't take them) ... also 3 other half-chances (Mo 2, Curtis 1) ... need better finishing but to create enough to win the match away to a top 6 rival is a good sign
ALEX ... he looked fitter & connected better with teammates (he's getting there). Bottom line: he's the key to our season. With 6 weeks of "pre-season" completed, I'm excited to see him "break out" in the next 7 matches between breaks
the negatives/questions: (1) mental errors and (2) Arne's personnel choices
MENTAL ERRORS ... perennial championship teams have smart players who make very few errors. One error stood out yesterday in the 13th minute that is emblematic of a lack of this nous. Chelsea's have possession (Badiashile) entering our half and we have 11 men behind the ball. We are neither tired, nor under pressure. With one feint & 2 passes, Chelsea pull apart our experienced midfield. Fernandez drops toward Badiashile to offer for the ball and Ryan presses him for some reason, vacating space in front of our CBs. That leaves Macca in a 2-on-1 in that space w Gusto/Caicedo but, instead of dropping, he also chooses to press despite limited chance of success. Badiashile finds Gusto whose wall-ball to Caicedo + a deft first touch sees him dribbling at our back line, past our midfield. That's two of our best players getting out-thought. It's been a recurring theme of poor decisions to take too much risk for too little reward. This trait is why we thrice conceded 2-0 leads after 45 minutes. The recent results don't worry me; the performance levels of Alex and Florian will improve ... but the poor decision-making does worry me (esp from Macca who most rate as our smartest player).
PERSONNEL ... I'm all for FSG's model of not overpaying / value-based approach to transfers. At the 3rd CB, Hughes/Slot knew during last season that they didn't trust either Joey or Jarell and that we would need to sign a 3rd CB who could truly compete w Ibou if we are to contend. Given those stakes, why not pay the paltry £5-10 million extra Palace wanted to get Guehi over the line when it's still a great value (if you rated Guehi)? At RB, we knew Trent was leaving and that we'd need to sign a replacement. They sign Jeremie but Arne doesn't want to play him there against substitute him for Conor at half time against Palace or Chelsea nor start him at RB against Galatasaray. At 4th FW, they agree to keep Fede and he's done everything you can ask but Arne doesn't replace a fading Cody yesterday with him. It's almost like Arne wasn't on the same page with Hughes re: Jeremie or Fede decisions. Let's hope it's something else.
There were some green shoots yesterday. Mamardashvili did pretty well (although defenders will surely have realised that his kicking isn't as good as Alisson's so maybe don't give it to him when he's being pressed). This was the first time we saw Kerkez break past opposing defenders into space (although, again, he should have done better particularly on the second occasion). Isak's talent and skill on the ball is pretty obvious; what a takedown for the goal (although, he isn't getting enough of the ball).
The thing is, some key players simply aren't performing anywhere close to last season's levels. McAllister was better but still not as forceful. Salah wasted too many decent opportunities where he should have put others through (although he did send in a beautiful ball to Isak: more of that please). And Gakpo simply became ineffective as the game wore on. It is strange that Chiesa didn't get a look in for either one of those too. Is he becoming a modern day Litmanen?
Speaking of strange decisions, Slot is making a fair few. I don't have his tactical and footballing understanding of the game but, from the outside, seems that he is occasionally overthinking things. Then again, he might simply have more information than we do for instance with Konate's injury.
Then again, why didn't Liverpool go heavily for a central defender if he felt that Gomez wasn't up to it? And why get Frimpong if you end up using your most pressing midfielder at right back? Strange decisions, the kind which get me REALLY worried. Because, ultimately, we live in the hope that there is a grand plan that will eventually bear fruit. Decisions like those, well, they don't scream grand plan. They're more in the 'we've made a mess' category.
Still, astounded at how quickly some Liverpool fans have turned on a title winning manager. And when I say some, I mean enough for people who don't follow many on likes of Twitter like myself to notice.
PS - Mamardashvili has a rocket launcher in his arm! The distance and power he can get on it is impressive. Pretty sure that will be an asset.
I can only assume they were certain they’d get Guehi re the centre-back issue. I think with Frimpong it was a chance to get a talented homegrown player for a reasonable fee - whether he proves a good purchase remains to be seen.
The Chiesa/Litmanen parallel is certainly an interesting one I hadn’t thought of - I think both were bought a few years after Liverpool had originally hoped to get them?
I think with Fede and Gomez (and Endo to a lesser extent) we’re seeing the consequence of not rotating last year. As Liverpool won the league, nobody cared. But now there are squad members who’ve barely played in games of serious consequence for over a year. Has Slot painted himself into a corner whereby he doesn’t fully trust them but also they then can’t perform when he has to use them?
Slot has to do something about the press. Having all four of Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike and Gakpo on the pitch at once right now is like asking the opponents how much time on the ball they’d like and then giving them double.
Thought it was quite noticeable how difficult Chelsea found it to build from the back in the first half. It got easier for them when Wirtz came on, and then easier again with Ekitike replacing Isak.
Is it just a personnel thing, or can Wirtz and Ekitike improve on what they offer out of possession? If Slot can’t fix the press, we’re just going to keep conceding easy goals.
Fair assessment? Too optimistic? They feel close to playing quite well but close ain't going to cut it in this league.
I'm here because I need some optimism!
Virgil mentioned in the post match interview that he’d said it was gonna be a difficult season due to what happened off the pitch. So many people are forgetting some of these players are still trying to cope with the loss of a friend, on top of all the changes. But I trust the team and I trust Slot to turn it around. I will now proceed to unfollow most of the LFC fan accounts on instagram, some comments are infuriatingly toxic.
I haven’t seen the post match stuff, thanks for mentioning that. I don’t like to put a reference to Diogo in everything but what happened remains inescapable, so maybe I should. So many people look at Konaté’s performance and say he’s distracted by Madrid; maybe he’s distracted by the loss of a teammate and friend. Salah hasn’t been great; Salah cried on the pitch after the first game. And let’s be honest - some of Slot’s decisions seem odd but he’s grieving too.
Couldn’t agree more Evelyn, some of the nonsense posted regarding Arne & the team is staggering. Well said
Fair assessment for me, frustrating is the harshest assessment I’d offer. Signs of improvement as you say & we will get it right
the positives: (1) better defensively, (2) created enough to win, (3) Alex is "getting there"
DEFENSE ... as 1 of Andrew's 5 headline stats indicated, we allowed ZERO quality shots until stoppage time (when 2 midfielders were playing in defense along with Wata who shouldn't have been on the pitch in a match this important) ... arrow pointing up
CREATION ... created 1 sitter & 2 great chances from 10 yards center of goal (Dom & Alex didn't take them) ... also 3 other half-chances (Mo 2, Curtis 1) ... need better finishing but to create enough to win the match away to a top 6 rival is a good sign
ALEX ... he looked fitter & connected better with teammates (he's getting there). Bottom line: he's the key to our season. With 6 weeks of "pre-season" completed, I'm excited to see him "break out" in the next 7 matches between breaks
the negatives/questions: (1) mental errors and (2) Arne's personnel choices
MENTAL ERRORS ... perennial championship teams have smart players who make very few errors. One error stood out yesterday in the 13th minute that is emblematic of a lack of this nous. Chelsea's have possession (Badiashile) entering our half and we have 11 men behind the ball. We are neither tired, nor under pressure. With one feint & 2 passes, Chelsea pull apart our experienced midfield. Fernandez drops toward Badiashile to offer for the ball and Ryan presses him for some reason, vacating space in front of our CBs. That leaves Macca in a 2-on-1 in that space w Gusto/Caicedo but, instead of dropping, he also chooses to press despite limited chance of success. Badiashile finds Gusto whose wall-ball to Caicedo + a deft first touch sees him dribbling at our back line, past our midfield. That's two of our best players getting out-thought. It's been a recurring theme of poor decisions to take too much risk for too little reward. This trait is why we thrice conceded 2-0 leads after 45 minutes. The recent results don't worry me; the performance levels of Alex and Florian will improve ... but the poor decision-making does worry me (esp from Macca who most rate as our smartest player).
PERSONNEL ... I'm all for FSG's model of not overpaying / value-based approach to transfers. At the 3rd CB, Hughes/Slot knew during last season that they didn't trust either Joey or Jarell and that we would need to sign a 3rd CB who could truly compete w Ibou if we are to contend. Given those stakes, why not pay the paltry £5-10 million extra Palace wanted to get Guehi over the line when it's still a great value (if you rated Guehi)? At RB, we knew Trent was leaving and that we'd need to sign a replacement. They sign Jeremie but Arne doesn't want to play him there against substitute him for Conor at half time against Palace or Chelsea nor start him at RB against Galatasaray. At 4th FW, they agree to keep Fede and he's done everything you can ask but Arne doesn't replace a fading Cody yesterday with him. It's almost like Arne wasn't on the same page with Hughes re: Jeremie or Fede decisions. Let's hope it's something else.
There were some green shoots yesterday. Mamardashvili did pretty well (although defenders will surely have realised that his kicking isn't as good as Alisson's so maybe don't give it to him when he's being pressed). This was the first time we saw Kerkez break past opposing defenders into space (although, again, he should have done better particularly on the second occasion). Isak's talent and skill on the ball is pretty obvious; what a takedown for the goal (although, he isn't getting enough of the ball).
The thing is, some key players simply aren't performing anywhere close to last season's levels. McAllister was better but still not as forceful. Salah wasted too many decent opportunities where he should have put others through (although he did send in a beautiful ball to Isak: more of that please). And Gakpo simply became ineffective as the game wore on. It is strange that Chiesa didn't get a look in for either one of those too. Is he becoming a modern day Litmanen?
Speaking of strange decisions, Slot is making a fair few. I don't have his tactical and footballing understanding of the game but, from the outside, seems that he is occasionally overthinking things. Then again, he might simply have more information than we do for instance with Konate's injury.
Then again, why didn't Liverpool go heavily for a central defender if he felt that Gomez wasn't up to it? And why get Frimpong if you end up using your most pressing midfielder at right back? Strange decisions, the kind which get me REALLY worried. Because, ultimately, we live in the hope that there is a grand plan that will eventually bear fruit. Decisions like those, well, they don't scream grand plan. They're more in the 'we've made a mess' category.
Still, astounded at how quickly some Liverpool fans have turned on a title winning manager. And when I say some, I mean enough for people who don't follow many on likes of Twitter like myself to notice.
PS - Mamardashvili has a rocket launcher in his arm! The distance and power he can get on it is impressive. Pretty sure that will be an asset.
I can only assume they were certain they’d get Guehi re the centre-back issue. I think with Frimpong it was a chance to get a talented homegrown player for a reasonable fee - whether he proves a good purchase remains to be seen.
The Chiesa/Litmanen parallel is certainly an interesting one I hadn’t thought of - I think both were bought a few years after Liverpool had originally hoped to get them?
I think with Fede and Gomez (and Endo to a lesser extent) we’re seeing the consequence of not rotating last year. As Liverpool won the league, nobody cared. But now there are squad members who’ve barely played in games of serious consequence for over a year. Has Slot painted himself into a corner whereby he doesn’t fully trust them but also they then can’t perform when he has to use them?
I haven't seen the game, but based in the stats it looks like a good performance away at a ground where we struggle to get wins.
So many things in the mixing pot adding context so to be just a point behind Arsenal after 7 tough games is pretty good.
Slot has to do something about the press. Having all four of Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike and Gakpo on the pitch at once right now is like asking the opponents how much time on the ball they’d like and then giving them double.
Thought it was quite noticeable how difficult Chelsea found it to build from the back in the first half. It got easier for them when Wirtz came on, and then easier again with Ekitike replacing Isak.
Is it just a personnel thing, or can Wirtz and Ekitike improve on what they offer out of possession? If Slot can’t fix the press, we’re just going to keep conceding easy goals.
I’m confident Wirtz will be okay as he pressed so intensely for Leverkusen:
https://open.substack.com/pub/andrewbeasley/p/florian-wirtzs-pressing-is-elite-it-will-need-to-improve-at-liverpool
Ekitike is an interesting one - I saw StatsBomb data that said he didn’t press much at Frankfurt then an Opta article that said he did!