The Week That Was: The Start of the 2022 World Cup
Oh, sit down, oh, sit down...
I’ve spent most of this week sat down watching the World Cup. In that sense, I’m a lot like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Dear me, did you see that England-USA game? It was crying out for a spark from somebody. One of the most creative players in Europe might just have added something to the Three Lions’ stodgy attack. Alas, we’ll never know.
The World Cup is nearly half over in terms of games, it passes quickly. Liverpool’s seven representatives are collectively about 270 minutes behind Mohamed Salah’s 2021 AFCON efforts in terms of playing time. From a Reds perspective this is obviously good, but the likes of Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho would be far better served resting up than warming Qatari benches.
Anyway, as I’m providing varying types of World Cup match previews to three different outlets, as well as doing podcasts and video clips, I’ve been very busy. Here’s some brief article descriptions, to save you from the headlines…
Article of the week
Mohamed Salah’s output is remarkably consistent no matter which forwards accompany him in Liverpool’s front three. But with Darwin Núñez, the numbers have sky rocketed.
Liverpool FC
Argentina have an old team, and so do Liverpool. Should the Reds learn from the Argentines’ shock loss to Saudi Arabia?
Ibrahima Konaté linked up well with Kylian Mbappé against Australia. It is time for Ibou to start connecting with Luis DÃaz too.
Alisson and Thibaut Courtois met in the Champions League final and are on course for a repeat duel in the World Cup final. But which of the two is better?
Could Owen Beck and Conor Bradley be Liverpool full-backs of the future? Their recent performance for Bolton suggests it could be a possibility.
Transfers
Jude Bellingham and Konrad Laimer have similar numbers. Liverpool supposedly want both; they may get neither. Which other midfielders fit the bill?
On a similar theme, the Reds’ reported interest in Declan Rice makes a lot of sense, and here’s why.
Liverpool like players who perform well against them, and Mohammed Kudus has done that.
I like inserting stupid trivia questions into articles, and this look at rumoured Reds target Milan Skriniar certainly contains one.
Adrien Rabiot to Liverpool? When I tweeted the link to the article, the response was entirely negatory, old buddy. But here’s a closer look at the French international anyway.
And with that, I shall remain seated and settle down for Belgium vs. Morocco. World Cup fatigue is a genuine condition, you know. Have a good week.