16 April 2019

Visualized: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

Previous Match Infographics: Porto (h), Southampton (a), Tottenham (h), Fulham (a), Bayern Munich (a), Burnley (h), Everton (a), Watford (h), Manchester United (a), Bayern Munich (h), Bournemouth (h) West Ham (a), Leicester (h), Crystal Palace (h), Brighton (a), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Newcastle (h), Wolves (a), Manchester Utd (h), Napoli (h), Bournemouth (a), Burnley, Everton (h), Paris St-Germain (a), Watford (a), Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Cardiff (h), Red Star Belgrade (h), Huddersfield (a), Manchester City (h), Napoli (a), Chelsea (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Brighton (h), Crystal Palace (a), West Ham (h)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 



Once again, Liverpool just are.

They just grind. They just get there, whether through a late goal or five-minute flurry or moment of magic. They drag themselves, sometimes kicking and screaming, over the finish line. For the seventh successive win in all competitions, and at this point of this season.

At this point, they are what they are. And what they are is relentless.

Once again, the first half isn't great.

Liverpool take just four shots. Salah's first, on target, was a very good chance, but the rest are more marginal. Once again, a deep, determined back four/six/eight, is stifling Liverpool. And we're getting frustrated.

And not only is Chelsea's defense deep, determined, and in position, they're upsetting Liverpool's flow with an intermittent press, using the front three and maybe a midfielder to hassle the initial build-up before dropping once Liverpool get around the halfway line. Chelsea made a surprisingly high amount of tackles and interceptions in the middle third of the pitch for a side facing Liverpool.

It makes for tough watching, especially as Liverpool, Anfield, and every single one of us knows a win's necessary to keep pace. And every single one of us remembers the last time Liverpool were in this position against Chelsea late in a title-chasing season.

But Liverpool keep going and, encouraged rather than dismayed, Liverpool get two quick-fire goals early in the second half – a passing move the likes of which we've seen all season and an absolute marvel from Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool get that bit of luck, with Hazard's two missed chances, but Liverpool also make their own luck, as has happened almost all season. Liverpool see out the match with comfortable possession after those frightening five minutes, with cool heads and necessary substitutions ensuring said comfort.

It's not quite as frantic as Southampton or Tottenham, and not quite as secure as against Porto, but not wholly out of character from what we've seen over the last few months. For better far more than for worse.

There has been one notable change over the last three matches though. Jordan Henderson's emergence (reemergence?) as an attacking midfielder. The third goal off the bench against Southampton, his first goal of the season. Assists for the game-winning goal against Southampton and Chelsea. The most Liverpool chances created against Porto, including a hockey assist on the crucial second goal, where he also won the ball back in the midfield to start the move.

His assist on Sunday – like his goal against Southampton – was exactly what I've wanted to see more of from Liverpool's midfielders, even when we're getting sufficient creation from the front three and full-backs. Those runs into the box though. This time, backing up Salah and Firmino's entry into the penalty area, following up when Emerson intercepted then standing up a cross to the box post, knowing exactly where to find Sadio Mané. That goal against Southampton came as the extra attacker on the break, charging after Matip's long pass downfield, in the right place for Firmino's centered pass.

They've been important moments, necessary moments.

There is a whole mountain of salt taken with this because of sample size but Henderson's performances as a more advanced midfielder have been more than encouraging.



Running hot in front of goal for a couple of games, yay! Which, maybe, to be fair, but also a pile of key passes and interceptions per 90 minutes compared to others who've played in that position. And, unsurprisingly, compared to what he's done in a deeper role.

There are a couple of other caveats worth mentioning besides sample size and positional foibles. Henderson started in this role against Everton and United a couple of months ago and *gulps, tugs collar*, taking just one shot and failing to create a chance in the two matches, with Liverpool drawing both 0-0. That dribble rate is bad, whether as an attacking midfielder or defensive shield.

As for the others he's compared to. Four of Milner's six goals were from the penalty spot and three of Milner's six assists have been from set plays, so that's marginally inflated. Plus Milner's also played a handful of games at full-back, so warnings about long passes, total passes, and defensive actions. We're often told that a lot of what Wijnaldum's asked to do doesn't show up in stats like these, except maybe his pass accuracy and higher dribble rate than Milner or Henderson. And Keïta's sometimes struggles this season are more than explainable with change in style and league, as well as intermittent injury. Plus, he's also come good over the last few games.

Whether it's a blip or course correction, it has been encouraging, and it has been good timing from Liverpool's captain.

But he has not been the only one. Not on Sunday, not for the last three games or the last month.

Because, once again, Liverpool are what Liverpool are. And it's an everyone thing.

The center-backs and keeper organized and defend. The full-backs defend and create. The midfield possesses and passes and presses, and Fabinho destroys while Keïta and Henderson increasingly add to the attack. And the front three does front three things.

It's less "Mohamed Salah will save us" than at almost any point last season. It's less "Alisson and van Dijk will cancel out any possible mistakes" than earlier in this season. It is very much a team effort, which makes it that much more meaningful.

Sometimes it's great and good fun, although rarely comfortable. Sometimes we get less than we'd like. Sometimes much less, to our chagrin and detriment. But, at least for the last month and more, we've gotten enough. No matter how. Every single time.

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