7am ET, live in the US on NBC Sports
Last four head-to-head:
3-2 Liverpool (a) 02.12.14
4-0 Liverpool (h) 11.09.13
3-1 Liverpool (a) 05.12.13
4-0 Liverpool (h) 12.22.12
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-2 Red Star (a); 1-1 Arsenal (a): 4-1 Cardiff (h)
Fulham: 0-1 Huddersfield (a); 0-2 City (a); 0-3 Bournemouth (h)
Goal scorers (league):
Liverpool: Mané 6; Salah 5; Firmino, Milner, Sturridge 2; Matip, Shaqiri, Wijnaldum 1
Fulham: Mitrovic 5; Schürrle 4; Seri, Sessegnon 1
Referee: Paul Tierney (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Alisson
Gomez Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Shaqiri Henderson Keïta
Salah Firmino Mané
There are no easy matches.
Tuesday was supposed to be easy. The lowest ranked team in Liverpool's Champions League group. A team Liverpool beat 4-0 two weeks earlier. A 0-2 loss, conceding twice in seven minutes before spending the next hour throwing water balloons at a brick wall and expecting damage to result. Little creativity, no potency.
There are no easy matches. You come correct or you pay for it.
That said, Fulham are not good. Incredibly not good, sitting at the foot of the table, having one just once in the league back at the end of August. Having drawn just twice, the last coming six weeks ago. Surprisingly not good, considering they spent more than any club except Liverpool last summer.
So how are Liverpool going to punish Fulham? How are Liverpool going to respond to Tuesday's failure?
We'll have a few more players to pick from than on Tuesday. Keïta, Henderson, Lovren, and Gomez are all available after injury and illness concerns. Shaqiri's back in the squad, left out for Red Star due to political concerns. Liverpool can revamp the faltering, workmanlike-and-little-more midfield – the biggest problem area so far this season – which *should* help Liverpool create more and better chances, although Liverpool will still need to finish them.
So does that mean Keïta comes in, a more willing and able late runner into the box, a more dynamic offensive player, a more thorough and forceful presser? Or Henderson, usually better in matches against the lesser lights, his passing and possession able to pin sides deeper and deeper. Or Shaqiri, the most creative midfielder so far, even if he's played as a winger or #10 more often in his short Liverpool career?
Maybe Liverpool stick with the 4-2-3-1 which worked reasonably well when hosting Red Star and Cardiff. Shaqiri can play as the #10 or on the right, Salah out wide or up front, Firmino as the #10 or up front – although Firmino's lack of form has almost been as big an issue as the midfield. Fabinho's looked far, far better in this formation and, in theory, could play next to either Keïta – who played in this formation at Red Bull – or Henderson.
Or maybe we get the more familiar 4-3-3, with either Fabinho again adjusting to Liverpool's preferred formation alongside two others or Henderson as the deepest midfielder, bracketed by two from Keïta, Wijnaldum, Milner, and Shaqiri.
Liverpool, unlike in the last couple of matches, have more options thanks to the return of a couple midfielders. And, as a lesser concern, I also wouldn't be surprised to see Gomez continue at right back, both with Alexander-Arnold out of form and with Lovren – not Matip – available after missing midweek. I say "lesser concern" because, despite conceding twice at Red Star, the defense still ain't broken. Conceding a corner – just the second of the season after Tottenham's very late consolation – and an incredibly fortunate shot from distance ain't the end of the world. Nor does it suggest underlying issues.
Fulham have underlying issues. In every phase of play. Fulham should be a lot better than they've been.
That's a good squad. Mitrovic and Schürrle in attack, with five and four goals respectively. Seri and Anguissa in midfield. Ryan Sessegnon – still only 18 – as a winger or full back. £100m spent last summer.
Mitrovic and Schürrle – the only players with more than one goal – aside, they should score more goals than they have. They be more coherent in passing and possession. They've the tools and players to press the opposition more but haven't. They've conceded in every match this season except the first League Cup round against League Two Exeter, they've conceded at least two in all but two league matches. Their Expected Goals Difference is second-worst in the league, their Expected Points is third-worst.
It is confusing. And you'd think that if results don't change soon, Slavisa Jokanovic will be out of a job.
After trialling multiple XIs and formations, Jokanovic went with what's seemingly the best fit at Huddersfield on Monday. 4-3-3, with Sessegnon – who'd been playing more often as a winger – back at left-back; Cairney, Anguissa, and Seri as a three-man midfield for the first time this season; and Vietto, Mitrovic, and Schürrle all up front.
And they lost 0-1, again unable to get going in attack, unable to break down a Huddersfield side that admittedly gave Liverpool similar problems, unable to turn a possession advantage into chances, and also conceding an unfortunate fairly early own goal.
That said, I'm still guessing the same XI as in that match. Maybe I'm playing Football Manager here, but these still seem Fulham's best players in the formation most likely to succeed. Bettinetti; Fosu-Mensah, Odoi, Marchand, Sessegnon; Cairney, Anguissa, Seri; Vietto, Mitrovic, Schürrle.
We've got a Liverpool with key players returning, possibly rusty, probably not match-fit, but still likely to help the side. We've got a Liverpool needing to respond to a setback earlier this week. We've got a Liverpool that's yet to perform to potential but still unbeaten, still only two points off first, still with 27 points from a possible 33, the best return at this point in many a year.
And we've got opponents who are bottom of the league, massively underperforming, coming off a loss to potential relegation rivals. At Anfield.
There's one way this should go. Whether it's another narrow win where we lament some things that didn't go right or an absolute whomping. It should be a Liverpool win all the same.
10 November 2018
05 November 2018
Visualized: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
Previous Match Infographics: 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.
I don't like spending more time writing about Liverpool's opponent than I do Liverpool. But that's what this match was about. What Arsenal did to Liverpool rather than what Liverpool did to Arsenal. From the opening minute.
Five of Arsenal's eight key passes in the first half came from Liverpool's right flank, including both early clear-cut chances.
Here's how Arsenal came to those two clear-cut chances.
Fourth minute. Arsenal gain possession after a failed Liverpool long clearance. Long cross field to get Liverpool's defense retreating laterally. Two against one down Alexander-Arnold's flank – Kolasinac and Aubameyang. Overlap, through ball, low cross. Alisson saves at the feet of Aubameyang.
15th minute. Arsenal gain possession after a failed Liverpool long clearance. More patient, sustained possession, but also two more long cross field switches of play, again two against one on Liverpool's right – Kolasinac and Aubameyang – cross, Mkhitaryan header wide. Liverpool's defense especially out of shape because Liverpool's fullbacks had switched sides while defending a corner and didn't have time to recover.
And these were just two moments. There were more, called back for offside, final passes off the mark, shots both errant and blocked – four of nine in the first half off-target, three more blocked by Liverpool defenders (two by van Dijk, one by Gomez). And moments welcomingly cleared by Liverpool, with nine first-half clearances in the defensive third from van Dijk and Gomez.
Liverpool necessarily had to change tactics, first evident in Wijnaldum's average position – both deeper and wider to add the defensive help Salah couldn't – then in the halftime formation switch, something of a 4-4-1-1 with Milner on the right. That slowed Arsenal's progress, still dominant in possession but unable to turn it into opportunities, even after Milner opened the scoring just after the hour.
Arsenal's only shot between the 46th and 81st minutes came from Torreira, outside the box and straight down Alisson's throat, from a throw-in after Arsenal launched the ball down the field following the restart after Liverpool's goal.
And then Arsenal made changes of their own, first bringing on Iwobi and Ramsey, hoping to use Ramsey as a late runner into the box from the #10 and Iwobi's speed down Liverpool's right with Aubameyang fading. It helped, at least in increased pressure if not efforts at goal, but the breakthrough didn't come until the final substitution, Welbeck for Kolasinac, and Arsenal matching Liverpool's 4-4-2 formation with Iwobi at left-back. And, naturally, it was Iwobi turned provider. Down Liverpool's right.
It didn't help that Liverpool's two defensive lines had increasingly retreated, reacting to Arsenal's pressure, likely fatigue, and the increasingly little time left on the clock. Probably shouldn't have that much space to thread the pass.
Plus, two strikers up top, both Lacazette and now Welbeck, momentarily unbalanced Liverpool's almost-always impressive center-backs, this sequence Welbeck's first action in the game. Who's going with who? Oops, they're in.
Changes matter, substitutions matter. Especially in matches as tight as this. In matches between surprisingly equal top six rivals, with only Manchester City head, shoulders, knees, and toes above their peers.
So, yes, this match ended up being more about what Arsenal did to Liverpool than vice versa. Which is obviously concerning.
The attack remains unbalanced, with only Salah performing near potential, leading Liverpool in both shots and key passes. Firmino struggled to get involved despite his three shots, with one hitting the post, failing to create a chance, registering his lowest passing total both of the season and as far back as I can remember. Mané tallied just one late blocked shot from distance, although we're all still shouting about the wrongly disallowed goal.
The midfield still underwhelms, especially in possession, with Fabinho often basically terrible on the ball and intermittently decent off it. Wijnaldum's again less influential further forward and Milner remains Milner. God loves a trier and the trying's rewarded in his goal, but he's still a jack of most trades and master of few. Liverpool misses the creativity but more importantly misses the breaking of lines and pressing that both Keïta and Oxlade-Chamberlain add to the unit. Or Lallana if he's anywhere near the Lallana of a year ago. Or potentially Shaqiri, with more familiarity in Liverpool's system.
Both facets are concerning. It ain't the first time we've talked about either this season. I'm not especially hopeful that this'll be the last time. This match demonstrated that there are ways to be stifle and exploit Liverpool, and other sides with have taken notice, just as Arsenal had, with the desire to challenge Liverpool's right flank evident from the off. Liverpool coped, for the for most part, Liverpool reacted, and it's not hard to see Liverpool coming away with all three points if not with just one or two moments turning out differently.
But it's also demonstrated that Arsenal are a damned decent team with a clever manager of their own.
Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app.
I don't like spending more time writing about Liverpool's opponent than I do Liverpool. But that's what this match was about. What Arsenal did to Liverpool rather than what Liverpool did to Arsenal. From the opening minute.
Five of Arsenal's eight key passes in the first half came from Liverpool's right flank, including both early clear-cut chances.
Here's how Arsenal came to those two clear-cut chances.
Fourth minute. Arsenal gain possession after a failed Liverpool long clearance. Long cross field to get Liverpool's defense retreating laterally. Two against one down Alexander-Arnold's flank – Kolasinac and Aubameyang. Overlap, through ball, low cross. Alisson saves at the feet of Aubameyang.
15th minute. Arsenal gain possession after a failed Liverpool long clearance. More patient, sustained possession, but also two more long cross field switches of play, again two against one on Liverpool's right – Kolasinac and Aubameyang – cross, Mkhitaryan header wide. Liverpool's defense especially out of shape because Liverpool's fullbacks had switched sides while defending a corner and didn't have time to recover.
And these were just two moments. There were more, called back for offside, final passes off the mark, shots both errant and blocked – four of nine in the first half off-target, three more blocked by Liverpool defenders (two by van Dijk, one by Gomez). And moments welcomingly cleared by Liverpool, with nine first-half clearances in the defensive third from van Dijk and Gomez.
Liverpool necessarily had to change tactics, first evident in Wijnaldum's average position – both deeper and wider to add the defensive help Salah couldn't – then in the halftime formation switch, something of a 4-4-1-1 with Milner on the right. That slowed Arsenal's progress, still dominant in possession but unable to turn it into opportunities, even after Milner opened the scoring just after the hour.
Arsenal's only shot between the 46th and 81st minutes came from Torreira, outside the box and straight down Alisson's throat, from a throw-in after Arsenal launched the ball down the field following the restart after Liverpool's goal.
And then Arsenal made changes of their own, first bringing on Iwobi and Ramsey, hoping to use Ramsey as a late runner into the box from the #10 and Iwobi's speed down Liverpool's right with Aubameyang fading. It helped, at least in increased pressure if not efforts at goal, but the breakthrough didn't come until the final substitution, Welbeck for Kolasinac, and Arsenal matching Liverpool's 4-4-2 formation with Iwobi at left-back. And, naturally, it was Iwobi turned provider. Down Liverpool's right.
It didn't help that Liverpool's two defensive lines had increasingly retreated, reacting to Arsenal's pressure, likely fatigue, and the increasingly little time left on the clock. Probably shouldn't have that much space to thread the pass.
Plus, two strikers up top, both Lacazette and now Welbeck, momentarily unbalanced Liverpool's almost-always impressive center-backs, this sequence Welbeck's first action in the game. Who's going with who? Oops, they're in.
Changes matter, substitutions matter. Especially in matches as tight as this. In matches between surprisingly equal top six rivals, with only Manchester City head, shoulders, knees, and toes above their peers.
So, yes, this match ended up being more about what Arsenal did to Liverpool than vice versa. Which is obviously concerning.
The attack remains unbalanced, with only Salah performing near potential, leading Liverpool in both shots and key passes. Firmino struggled to get involved despite his three shots, with one hitting the post, failing to create a chance, registering his lowest passing total both of the season and as far back as I can remember. Mané tallied just one late blocked shot from distance, although we're all still shouting about the wrongly disallowed goal.
The midfield still underwhelms, especially in possession, with Fabinho often basically terrible on the ball and intermittently decent off it. Wijnaldum's again less influential further forward and Milner remains Milner. God loves a trier and the trying's rewarded in his goal, but he's still a jack of most trades and master of few. Liverpool misses the creativity but more importantly misses the breaking of lines and pressing that both Keïta and Oxlade-Chamberlain add to the unit. Or Lallana if he's anywhere near the Lallana of a year ago. Or potentially Shaqiri, with more familiarity in Liverpool's system.
Both facets are concerning. It ain't the first time we've talked about either this season. I'm not especially hopeful that this'll be the last time. This match demonstrated that there are ways to be stifle and exploit Liverpool, and other sides with have taken notice, just as Arsenal had, with the desire to challenge Liverpool's right flank evident from the off. Liverpool coped, for the for most part, Liverpool reacted, and it's not hard to see Liverpool coming away with all three points if not with just one or two moments turning out differently.
But it's also demonstrated that Arsenal are a damned decent team with a clever manager of their own.
03 November 2018
Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
Goals:
Milner 61'
Lacazette 82'
Two ways to look at this one.
A fair result between evenly matched teams, second place at fourth place. Both with clear-cut chances and spells of dominance. Arsenal were on top early and late in the first half, early and late in the second half, Liverpool had counter-punching spells between. Both sides scored well-taken goals that also were aided by how the keeper dealt with the ball into the box. Liverpool remain unbeaten in the league, Arsenal remain unbeaten in the league since the first two matches. It's the same result, if not the same score line or same type of match, as in this fixture last season. If anything, Arsenal were the "better" side for longer in the match, for what little that's too often worth. Arsenal dominated possession, Arsenal – even with that defense – kept Salah, Firmino, Mané surprisingly quiet.
On the other hand, Liverpool had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside in the 18th minute, long before either side actually scored, right as Liverpool started their first-half spell of control. Alexander-Arnold chips into the box, Mané's offside but doesn't go for the ball, Firmino's onside and chips it over the keeper. The flag stays down, the shot hits the woodwork. Mané's now onside, behind the ball as Firmino shoots, but the flag goes up as soon as he taps into the empty net. Only the lord and linesman know why. It's probably a different match had that counted, with Arsenal necessarily pushing harder and harder earlier on and Liverpool reasonably positioned to counter and add more.
And Liverpool twice hit the post, first by Firmino, then van Dijk from Milner's deep free kick, with Leno also bushwhacking the defender after the ball was gone, an almost certain penalty if it'd been done by an outfield player but somehow forgivable when it's the goalkeeper.
And Liverpool had adjusted to and coped with Arsenal after the home side's more-than-decent first half. Arsenal ran Alexander-Arnold ragged for long stretches in the opening 45 minutes, and were starting to carve Liverpool open through the middle as Wijnaldum pushed wider and wider to compensate that flank. Liverpool were back in the 4-3-3 and it was not working, with Fabinho unsure where to go or where to pass out, with Liverpool's right shredded time and time again. The second half started with Liverpool back in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Fabinho and Wijnaldum as a double pivot, Milner wide right, Firmino as the #10, Salah up top. Arsenal had nine shots in the first half. They had one between the 46th and 81st minutes.
And Liverpool took the lead just after the hour mark, with Milner on hand to mop up after Robertson found Mané careening down the left, Leno punching Mané's byline cross off his own defender, falling perfectly for the captain to charge on to and arrow into the half-guarded net.
It had been 14 matches since Liverpool last dropped points after taking a lead in the Premier League, 2-0 at West Brom turning into 2-2 in the final 11 minutes. They'd held on in tight matches against Palace, Brighton, Leicester, Tottenham, and Huddersfield, even if those sides aren't Arsenal or – in the case of Tottenham – weren't playing anywhere near as well as Arsenal played today.
But then Arsenal scored in the 82nd minute. Iwobi, on as a substitute 15 minutes earlier, is now at left-back as Emery throws caution to the wind, is in space midway through Liverpool's half as Liverpool's defensive line retreats deeper and deeper. Milner and Wijnaldum can't get out to close down in time, and he threads a through ball between two Liverpool lines for Lacazette's perfectly timed run. Alisson charges out – maybe rightly, maybe wrongly. He cuts off Lacazette's sight of goal, he doesn't bring the player down. But Lacazette retains possession, turns, and somehow finds the postage stamp window between Alisson's left hand and van Dijk's clearing header.
Maybe the keeper could've done more. Maybe Liverpool's line should've been higher, should have been more resilient. But we've also got to give credit to both the build-up and finish.
We've also got to give credit to the opposition. It ain't always Liverpool's fault when Liverpool drop points. Liverpool at least kept Arsenal out in the first half, with the attack only firing intermittently. Liverpool coped, adjusted, regrouped, and took the lead. Liverpool did good things against a side that's been hard to do good things against so far this season, at least after their first two matches.
Which is why, as hard as it is in the moment, I'm trying to focus more on the supposedly fair result than what could and maybe should have been.
Milner 61'
Lacazette 82'
Two ways to look at this one.
A fair result between evenly matched teams, second place at fourth place. Both with clear-cut chances and spells of dominance. Arsenal were on top early and late in the first half, early and late in the second half, Liverpool had counter-punching spells between. Both sides scored well-taken goals that also were aided by how the keeper dealt with the ball into the box. Liverpool remain unbeaten in the league, Arsenal remain unbeaten in the league since the first two matches. It's the same result, if not the same score line or same type of match, as in this fixture last season. If anything, Arsenal were the "better" side for longer in the match, for what little that's too often worth. Arsenal dominated possession, Arsenal – even with that defense – kept Salah, Firmino, Mané surprisingly quiet.
On the other hand, Liverpool had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside in the 18th minute, long before either side actually scored, right as Liverpool started their first-half spell of control. Alexander-Arnold chips into the box, Mané's offside but doesn't go for the ball, Firmino's onside and chips it over the keeper. The flag stays down, the shot hits the woodwork. Mané's now onside, behind the ball as Firmino shoots, but the flag goes up as soon as he taps into the empty net. Only the lord and linesman know why. It's probably a different match had that counted, with Arsenal necessarily pushing harder and harder earlier on and Liverpool reasonably positioned to counter and add more.
And Liverpool twice hit the post, first by Firmino, then van Dijk from Milner's deep free kick, with Leno also bushwhacking the defender after the ball was gone, an almost certain penalty if it'd been done by an outfield player but somehow forgivable when it's the goalkeeper.
And Liverpool had adjusted to and coped with Arsenal after the home side's more-than-decent first half. Arsenal ran Alexander-Arnold ragged for long stretches in the opening 45 minutes, and were starting to carve Liverpool open through the middle as Wijnaldum pushed wider and wider to compensate that flank. Liverpool were back in the 4-3-3 and it was not working, with Fabinho unsure where to go or where to pass out, with Liverpool's right shredded time and time again. The second half started with Liverpool back in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Fabinho and Wijnaldum as a double pivot, Milner wide right, Firmino as the #10, Salah up top. Arsenal had nine shots in the first half. They had one between the 46th and 81st minutes. And Liverpool took the lead just after the hour mark, with Milner on hand to mop up after Robertson found Mané careening down the left, Leno punching Mané's byline cross off his own defender, falling perfectly for the captain to charge on to and arrow into the half-guarded net.
It had been 14 matches since Liverpool last dropped points after taking a lead in the Premier League, 2-0 at West Brom turning into 2-2 in the final 11 minutes. They'd held on in tight matches against Palace, Brighton, Leicester, Tottenham, and Huddersfield, even if those sides aren't Arsenal or – in the case of Tottenham – weren't playing anywhere near as well as Arsenal played today.
But then Arsenal scored in the 82nd minute. Iwobi, on as a substitute 15 minutes earlier, is now at left-back as Emery throws caution to the wind, is in space midway through Liverpool's half as Liverpool's defensive line retreats deeper and deeper. Milner and Wijnaldum can't get out to close down in time, and he threads a through ball between two Liverpool lines for Lacazette's perfectly timed run. Alisson charges out – maybe rightly, maybe wrongly. He cuts off Lacazette's sight of goal, he doesn't bring the player down. But Lacazette retains possession, turns, and somehow finds the postage stamp window between Alisson's left hand and van Dijk's clearing header.
Maybe the keeper could've done more. Maybe Liverpool's line should've been higher, should have been more resilient. But we've also got to give credit to both the build-up and finish.
We've also got to give credit to the opposition. It ain't always Liverpool's fault when Liverpool drop points. Liverpool at least kept Arsenal out in the first half, with the attack only firing intermittently. Liverpool coped, adjusted, regrouped, and took the lead. Liverpool did good things against a side that's been hard to do good things against so far this season, at least after their first two matches.
Which is why, as hard as it is in the moment, I'm trying to focus more on the supposedly fair result than what could and maybe should have been.
02 November 2018
Liverpool at Arsenal 11.03.18
1:30pm ET, live in the US on NBC
Last four head-to-head:
3-3 (a) 12.22.17
4-0 Liverpool (h) 08.27.17
3-1 Liverpool (h) 03.04.17
4-3 Liverpool (a) 08.14.16
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 4-1 Cardiff (h); 4-0 Red Star (h); 1-0 Huddersfield (a)
Arsenal: 2-1 Blackpool (h); 2-2 Palace (a); 1-0 Sporting Lisbon (a)
Goal scorers (league):
Liverpool: Mané 6; Salah 5; Firmino, Sturridge 2; Matip, Milner, Shaqiri, Wijnaldum 1
Arsenal: Aubameyang 7; Lacazette 4; Özil 3; Xhaka 2; Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Monreal, Mustafi, Ramsey, Welbeck 1
Referee: Andre Marriner (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Alisson
Trent A-A Gomez van Dijk Robertson
Wijnaldum Fabinho
Shaqiri Firmino Mané
Salah
If it ain't broke.
Two games in a row with 4-2-3-1, with Fabinho and Wijnaldum holding, with a line of Firmino, Mane, and Shaqiri behind Salah.
Two wins while scoring four goals in each, conceding just one unnecessary goal late against Cardiff.
True, Arsenal are not Red Star or Cardiff. I would not be surprised to see Henderson or Milner come in for Shaqiri, to see Liverpool's more familiar formation. I wouldn't be surprised to see both Henderson and Milner if Liverpool return 4-3-3, with Fabinho also making way. I hope to see Gomez come back in for Lovren, with Alexander-Arnold on the right.
But if it ain't broke.
If there weren't three unbeaten teams in the league, Arsenal would be getting even more publicity and praise. They started the season with two losses, their first without Arsene Wenger as manager since 1996. Two understandable losses – against Manchester City and at Chelsea. And then they went on an 11-match winning streak before a draw at Palace last weekend, then winning with the B-team in the League Cup against Blackpool on Wednesday.
Seven wins, one draw, and two losses. 22 points, just two behind Chelsea and four behind Liverpool and City.
They're quite good in attack. Arsenal have scored four more goals than Liverpool so far this campaign. They put three past West Ham, Cardiff, and Leicester, and five past Fulham. They've scored at least twice in every league match except the opening day fixture at Manchester City.
Granted, they're seemingly over-performing – an Expected Goals total just over 14, but with 24 goals actually scored – but that's not entirely a bad thing. Liverpool over-performed by a similar margin last season and it was a lot of fun to watch unless you were playing Liverpool.
They're not quite as good defensively, having conceded nine more goals than Liverpool. They've kept just two clean sheets in the league, at home against Everton and Watford more than a month ago. Their 13 goals conceded, in contrast to the attack, is almost exactly in line with xG totals.
It's slightly understandable, both given Unai Emery's style – playing out from the back, reasonably heavy pressing, an emphasis on attacking patterns – and Arsenal's defensive injuries and the actual defenders involved. But it still ain't great. It's definitely something Liverpool can take advantage of.
And Arsenal might be without both starting fullbacks tomorrow; Bellerin went off with an injury at halftime at Palace while Monreal has missed the last four matches. Both could be in contention, but will be assessed tomorrow, as will Sokratis and Kolasinac. Elneny, Koscielny, and Mavropanos are injured and Guendouzi is suspended.
Arsenal do have options, and have had to use them over the last month. If only Bellerin's fit, Kolasinac or Lichtsteiner will play at left-back. They'd have played there more if not for Bellerin's and Kolasinac's respective injuries, meaning that Xhaka has been the stand-in left-back for the last few matches. If Bellerin's unable to feature, Lichtsteiner will stay at right-back with either Kolasinac or Xhaka on the other flank.
Otherwise, the Arsenal XI has been fairly consistent during their unbeaten stretch. Cech; Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Holding, Xhaka; Torreira, Ramsey; Iwobi, Özil, Aubameyang; Lacazette.
Emery may be slightly more cautious than the recent attacking formations used, dropping one of Lacazatte or Aubameyang to the bench for Welbeck or Mkhitaryan. Cech's fit again – with Leno having started the previous three league matches – but Cech also pulled a Cech in the League Cup a few days ago, allowing Blackpool back in the game so *shrugs*.
These matches have been fairly bananas since Klopp took over. 3-3 at Arsenal in January 2016. 4-3 at Arsenal on Opening Day in 2016-17. Romps at Anfield in both 2016-17 and 2017-18, 3-1 and 4-0 respectively. And another 3-3 at Arsenal last December, Liverpool up 2-0 before conceding three in five minutes, then at least clawing a point back. Three goals scored by at least one side in all five fixtures, and by both sides in three of them.
Both sides have the potential to do so tomorrow. There are goals in those XIs, as we've seen from Arsenal over the last couple of months, as we've seen from Liverpool only sporadically this season, albeit more in the last two matches.
Liverpool, however, looks the more likely to keep the opposition from doing so.
Last four head-to-head:
3-3 (a) 12.22.17
4-0 Liverpool (h) 08.27.17
3-1 Liverpool (h) 03.04.17
4-3 Liverpool (a) 08.14.16
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 4-1 Cardiff (h); 4-0 Red Star (h); 1-0 Huddersfield (a)
Arsenal: 2-1 Blackpool (h); 2-2 Palace (a); 1-0 Sporting Lisbon (a)
Goal scorers (league):
Liverpool: Mané 6; Salah 5; Firmino, Sturridge 2; Matip, Milner, Shaqiri, Wijnaldum 1
Arsenal: Aubameyang 7; Lacazette 4; Özil 3; Xhaka 2; Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Monreal, Mustafi, Ramsey, Welbeck 1
Referee: Andre Marriner (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Alisson
Trent A-A Gomez van Dijk Robertson
Wijnaldum Fabinho
Shaqiri Firmino Mané
Salah
If it ain't broke.
Two games in a row with 4-2-3-1, with Fabinho and Wijnaldum holding, with a line of Firmino, Mane, and Shaqiri behind Salah.
Two wins while scoring four goals in each, conceding just one unnecessary goal late against Cardiff.
True, Arsenal are not Red Star or Cardiff. I would not be surprised to see Henderson or Milner come in for Shaqiri, to see Liverpool's more familiar formation. I wouldn't be surprised to see both Henderson and Milner if Liverpool return 4-3-3, with Fabinho also making way. I hope to see Gomez come back in for Lovren, with Alexander-Arnold on the right.
But if it ain't broke.
If there weren't three unbeaten teams in the league, Arsenal would be getting even more publicity and praise. They started the season with two losses, their first without Arsene Wenger as manager since 1996. Two understandable losses – against Manchester City and at Chelsea. And then they went on an 11-match winning streak before a draw at Palace last weekend, then winning with the B-team in the League Cup against Blackpool on Wednesday.
Seven wins, one draw, and two losses. 22 points, just two behind Chelsea and four behind Liverpool and City.
They're quite good in attack. Arsenal have scored four more goals than Liverpool so far this campaign. They put three past West Ham, Cardiff, and Leicester, and five past Fulham. They've scored at least twice in every league match except the opening day fixture at Manchester City.
Granted, they're seemingly over-performing – an Expected Goals total just over 14, but with 24 goals actually scored – but that's not entirely a bad thing. Liverpool over-performed by a similar margin last season and it was a lot of fun to watch unless you were playing Liverpool.
They're not quite as good defensively, having conceded nine more goals than Liverpool. They've kept just two clean sheets in the league, at home against Everton and Watford more than a month ago. Their 13 goals conceded, in contrast to the attack, is almost exactly in line with xG totals.
It's slightly understandable, both given Unai Emery's style – playing out from the back, reasonably heavy pressing, an emphasis on attacking patterns – and Arsenal's defensive injuries and the actual defenders involved. But it still ain't great. It's definitely something Liverpool can take advantage of.
And Arsenal might be without both starting fullbacks tomorrow; Bellerin went off with an injury at halftime at Palace while Monreal has missed the last four matches. Both could be in contention, but will be assessed tomorrow, as will Sokratis and Kolasinac. Elneny, Koscielny, and Mavropanos are injured and Guendouzi is suspended.
Arsenal do have options, and have had to use them over the last month. If only Bellerin's fit, Kolasinac or Lichtsteiner will play at left-back. They'd have played there more if not for Bellerin's and Kolasinac's respective injuries, meaning that Xhaka has been the stand-in left-back for the last few matches. If Bellerin's unable to feature, Lichtsteiner will stay at right-back with either Kolasinac or Xhaka on the other flank.
Otherwise, the Arsenal XI has been fairly consistent during their unbeaten stretch. Cech; Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Holding, Xhaka; Torreira, Ramsey; Iwobi, Özil, Aubameyang; Lacazette.
Emery may be slightly more cautious than the recent attacking formations used, dropping one of Lacazatte or Aubameyang to the bench for Welbeck or Mkhitaryan. Cech's fit again – with Leno having started the previous three league matches – but Cech also pulled a Cech in the League Cup a few days ago, allowing Blackpool back in the game so *shrugs*.
These matches have been fairly bananas since Klopp took over. 3-3 at Arsenal in January 2016. 4-3 at Arsenal on Opening Day in 2016-17. Romps at Anfield in both 2016-17 and 2017-18, 3-1 and 4-0 respectively. And another 3-3 at Arsenal last December, Liverpool up 2-0 before conceding three in five minutes, then at least clawing a point back. Three goals scored by at least one side in all five fixtures, and by both sides in three of them.
Both sides have the potential to do so tomorrow. There are goals in those XIs, as we've seen from Arsenal over the last couple of months, as we've seen from Liverpool only sporadically this season, albeit more in the last two matches.
Liverpool, however, looks the more likely to keep the opposition from doing so.
29 October 2018
Visualized: Liverpool 4-1 Cardiff City
Previous Match Infographics: 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.
Baby steps.
For 65 minutes, it was 1-0 Huddersfield, 1-0 Brighton. More the latter than the former, with Liverpool dominant in both possession and shots. But possession domination doesn’t always correlate to a good Liverpool performance and the majority of Liverpool’s shots were low-value shots. An early goal but no more. Possession without reward, possession running up against a thick brick wall then restarting again. A match narrower than it should be. Liverpool not as coherent or as thorough as we know they can be.
We’d been here before, both this season and in previous.
Liverpool’s nine shots between the first and second goal were all off-target or blocked, although there was Lallana’s on-target effort cleared off the line, technically “blocked” because it was cleared by a defender rather than a goalkeeper. Six of those nine shots came from outside the box, which is the highest proportion of shots from outside the box so far this season.
Liverpool may have been in control, but Cardiff were perfectly happy in their own right. 1-0 was little different than 0-0, as we’ve seen from multiple opponents of a similar level so far this season. Continue to defend as if lives depended upon it, hope for a mistake or a set play or something. Taking a point off of Liverpool at Anfield remains the apex of ambitions for two-thirds of the league, and you’re about as likely to do so at 1-0 as 0-0. Just don’t let them get to 2-0.
We’ve almost never seen Liverpool matches with more Liverpool possession. There has been only one league match with more Liverpool possession and a greater disparity in passing since Klopp became manager: 0-2 at Burnley at the beginning of 2016-17, where Burnley completely bunkered after Liverpool stupidly conceded early on. There have been only two other league matches in the last three-plus seasons where Liverpool had more than 75% possession: 1-1 v Everton last season and 2-0 at Sunderland in 2016-17. An embarrassing loss, a frustrating draw, and a win that only came very, very late, with two goals after the 75th minute against a side that’d be relegated at the end of the season.
That much possession, against a side happy to sit that deep, hasn’t good especially well for Klopp’s Liverpool in the past.
Saturday was different. Because, in the 66th minute, Liverpool got a second.
For the final 15 minutes – the final 25 if we somehow ignore Cardiff’s consolation – it was Red Star Belgrade rather than Brighton or Huddersfield. Counter-pressing by Firmino and Mané leading to Liverpool’s second, a refusal to let the ball leave Cardiff’s penalty area after Fabinho got it in there before a blistering finish. Continued boulder rolling downhill possession before Salah danced through two defenders and Shaqiri danced around two more for the game-killing third. An actual honest-to-goodness blitz counter: Fabinho winning the ball, to Mane to Salah running at retreating defenders, through ball back to Mané, exclamation point.
That’s the Liverpool we’ve missed. That’s the Liverpool we’re going to see more often in the coming weeks and months.
It should have been over after the second goal, but we got a timely reminder that it takes just one moment. Mané doesn’t track back. Moreno does a Moreno, rashly charging at Reid to win the ball and missing allowing Hoilett to receive a pass in space behind the defense. His cross ricochets off van Dijk directly to Paterson; it would have been behind the striker had it not hit van Dijk.
There goes Liverpool’s clean sheet streak, more than nine matches and 918 minutes without conceding at home in the league. And I ain’t mad at it. It was a little poor and a little unlucky but sometimes that’s all to need to concede. Even when you’ve had almost 80% possession and the opposition’s yet to register a shot.
It’s a helpful reminder that’s all it takes sometimes. Never switch off, no matter the opponents or game state. Must not sleep. Must warn others.
And once Cardiff got a goal, Liverpool got the chances. No nerves. No tilt. Just back to business. Once you get to 2-0, the opposition’s got to open up. And once they get to 2-1, they believe there’s a chance for 2-2. It’s happened to previous incarnations of Liverpool, as we all very much remember.
This might be a different Liverpool.
2-1 is when Liverpool started to register shots again. 2-1 is when Liverpool got chances to counter. 2-1 is when the front three found space to create chances for themselves, with Salah getting both of his assists with those last two goals.
Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 formation again looked decent, at least at the controlling midfield base, Wijnaldum literally always on the ball and Fabinho capable of moving it forward from deep, both capable of winning possession back if Cardiff ever truly tried to transition. Wijnaldum only completed 14 fewer passes than Cardiff in total. Lovren and van Dijk controlled the majority of long balls from defense, winning a combined 15 aerial duels when that was Cardiff’s main tactic for progression, with goalkeeper Neil Etheridge playing the joint-most passes for the away side.
How dominant were Liverpool in possession? No Cardiff player attempted more passes than any Liverpool outfield player, with even Liverpool’s two substitutes playing more than any opponent. I can’t remember that every happening.
Liverpool’s substitutions helped matters, with Shaqiri more influential than Lallana, creating for Salah before finally scoring his first Liverpool goal. Milner came on for more solidity, the three in midfield a platform for both the turning-the-screws possession before Liverpool’s goal, then winning-the-ball-back transition for Liverpool’s fourth.
And Liverpool’s attack goes and gets goals. Salah and Mané each on the score sheet, for the second match in a row. It’s the second time this season’s Mané's scored twice in a match, it’s the first time Salah’s registered two assists in a match since the 5-2 win over Roma back in April. Even if Firmino has an off day – just one shot and one key pass, routinely man-marked by Gunnarsson – the other two compensated more than adequately.
There were struggles. There was frustration. There were some of the issues that have plagued Liverpool – unbeaten in the league Liverpool – over the last month. But then there was the return of potency we’d been hoping to see continue following the romp over Red Star. There’s another win, a resounding win by the end of it, in the type of match that’s foiled and frustrated Liverpool in seasons past. There’s now ten games unbeaten to start the campaign.
There’s Liverpool, top of the table, at least for a few more hours today.
Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app.
Baby steps.
For 65 minutes, it was 1-0 Huddersfield, 1-0 Brighton. More the latter than the former, with Liverpool dominant in both possession and shots. But possession domination doesn’t always correlate to a good Liverpool performance and the majority of Liverpool’s shots were low-value shots. An early goal but no more. Possession without reward, possession running up against a thick brick wall then restarting again. A match narrower than it should be. Liverpool not as coherent or as thorough as we know they can be.
We’d been here before, both this season and in previous.
Liverpool’s nine shots between the first and second goal were all off-target or blocked, although there was Lallana’s on-target effort cleared off the line, technically “blocked” because it was cleared by a defender rather than a goalkeeper. Six of those nine shots came from outside the box, which is the highest proportion of shots from outside the box so far this season.
Liverpool may have been in control, but Cardiff were perfectly happy in their own right. 1-0 was little different than 0-0, as we’ve seen from multiple opponents of a similar level so far this season. Continue to defend as if lives depended upon it, hope for a mistake or a set play or something. Taking a point off of Liverpool at Anfield remains the apex of ambitions for two-thirds of the league, and you’re about as likely to do so at 1-0 as 0-0. Just don’t let them get to 2-0.
We’ve almost never seen Liverpool matches with more Liverpool possession. There has been only one league match with more Liverpool possession and a greater disparity in passing since Klopp became manager: 0-2 at Burnley at the beginning of 2016-17, where Burnley completely bunkered after Liverpool stupidly conceded early on. There have been only two other league matches in the last three-plus seasons where Liverpool had more than 75% possession: 1-1 v Everton last season and 2-0 at Sunderland in 2016-17. An embarrassing loss, a frustrating draw, and a win that only came very, very late, with two goals after the 75th minute against a side that’d be relegated at the end of the season.
That much possession, against a side happy to sit that deep, hasn’t good especially well for Klopp’s Liverpool in the past.
Saturday was different. Because, in the 66th minute, Liverpool got a second.
For the final 15 minutes – the final 25 if we somehow ignore Cardiff’s consolation – it was Red Star Belgrade rather than Brighton or Huddersfield. Counter-pressing by Firmino and Mané leading to Liverpool’s second, a refusal to let the ball leave Cardiff’s penalty area after Fabinho got it in there before a blistering finish. Continued boulder rolling downhill possession before Salah danced through two defenders and Shaqiri danced around two more for the game-killing third. An actual honest-to-goodness blitz counter: Fabinho winning the ball, to Mane to Salah running at retreating defenders, through ball back to Mané, exclamation point.
That’s the Liverpool we’ve missed. That’s the Liverpool we’re going to see more often in the coming weeks and months.
It should have been over after the second goal, but we got a timely reminder that it takes just one moment. Mané doesn’t track back. Moreno does a Moreno, rashly charging at Reid to win the ball and missing allowing Hoilett to receive a pass in space behind the defense. His cross ricochets off van Dijk directly to Paterson; it would have been behind the striker had it not hit van Dijk.
There goes Liverpool’s clean sheet streak, more than nine matches and 918 minutes without conceding at home in the league. And I ain’t mad at it. It was a little poor and a little unlucky but sometimes that’s all to need to concede. Even when you’ve had almost 80% possession and the opposition’s yet to register a shot.
It’s a helpful reminder that’s all it takes sometimes. Never switch off, no matter the opponents or game state. Must not sleep. Must warn others.
And once Cardiff got a goal, Liverpool got the chances. No nerves. No tilt. Just back to business. Once you get to 2-0, the opposition’s got to open up. And once they get to 2-1, they believe there’s a chance for 2-2. It’s happened to previous incarnations of Liverpool, as we all very much remember.
This might be a different Liverpool.
2-1 is when Liverpool started to register shots again. 2-1 is when Liverpool got chances to counter. 2-1 is when the front three found space to create chances for themselves, with Salah getting both of his assists with those last two goals.
Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 formation again looked decent, at least at the controlling midfield base, Wijnaldum literally always on the ball and Fabinho capable of moving it forward from deep, both capable of winning possession back if Cardiff ever truly tried to transition. Wijnaldum only completed 14 fewer passes than Cardiff in total. Lovren and van Dijk controlled the majority of long balls from defense, winning a combined 15 aerial duels when that was Cardiff’s main tactic for progression, with goalkeeper Neil Etheridge playing the joint-most passes for the away side.
How dominant were Liverpool in possession? No Cardiff player attempted more passes than any Liverpool outfield player, with even Liverpool’s two substitutes playing more than any opponent. I can’t remember that every happening.
Liverpool’s substitutions helped matters, with Shaqiri more influential than Lallana, creating for Salah before finally scoring his first Liverpool goal. Milner came on for more solidity, the three in midfield a platform for both the turning-the-screws possession before Liverpool’s goal, then winning-the-ball-back transition for Liverpool’s fourth.
And Liverpool’s attack goes and gets goals. Salah and Mané each on the score sheet, for the second match in a row. It’s the second time this season’s Mané's scored twice in a match, it’s the first time Salah’s registered two assists in a match since the 5-2 win over Roma back in April. Even if Firmino has an off day – just one shot and one key pass, routinely man-marked by Gunnarsson – the other two compensated more than adequately.
There were struggles. There was frustration. There were some of the issues that have plagued Liverpool – unbeaten in the league Liverpool – over the last month. But then there was the return of potency we’d been hoping to see continue following the romp over Red Star. There’s another win, a resounding win by the end of it, in the type of match that’s foiled and frustrated Liverpool in seasons past. There’s now ten games unbeaten to start the campaign.
There’s Liverpool, top of the table, at least for a few more hours today.
27 October 2018
Liverpool 4-1 Cardiff City
Goals:
Salah 10’
Mané 66’ 86’
Paterson 77’
Shaqiri 84’
Normal service, resumed. For the most part.
Four goals, for the second time in four days. Four goals in consecutive matches for the first time since February. Salah with a goal and two assists, Mané with two goals, Shaqiri with his first goal for Liverpool.
But there was still a bit of 1-0 Huddersfield, 1-0 Brighton. There was still a bit of *rolls up newspaper* “NO BAD” in defense. There was marginal worry. There was too long between the first and second goals. There was an unnecessary consolation conceded at 2-0, giving us a fright for a few minutes and wrecking Liverpool’s 918-minute long Anfield league clean sheet.
But there were four goals and another win and the Premier League unbeaten streak rolls on and Liverpool are top of the table at least until Monday.
It looked like a rout from the first minute. Liverpool rolled over Cardiff like a rising tide. Come, clear, come again. A goal within ten minutes: Mané and Wijnaldum blocked after Cardiff failed to hoof away, then Salah first to the loose ball. A penalty shout – Salah wrestled by Morrison and hitting the turf – and van Dijk’s header off the post within the next five.
But then, a bit of rugged. A bit of raw. Slowly increasing frustration, memories of Huddersfield and Brighton lingering. No more shots on-target after the goal until the last second of added time. Cardiff still playing as if it was 0-0, seven men spread across the top of the penalty box, hoof, regroup. Liverpool close but no cigar to another breakthrough, a final pass cut out, a defender making the necessary tackle. Huddersfield. Brighton. 1-0, and no more, and not especially threatening more until Lallana’s 46th minute header was cleared off the line by Morrison.
And the second half started in similar fashion. The struggle is real. The frustration mounts. Cardiff have the ball in the net from a set play, but it's rightfully ruled offside in the build-up.
Then we're back, baby. Then Sadio Mané does Sadio Mané things, cutting inside from the left across the top of the box, surrounded by two Cardiff defenders and Moreno, somehow wriggling through all three to smash a left-footer past Etheridge. 66 minutes gone and it finally feels like we’re done here.
Except that we weren’t 11 minutes later. Liverpool fall asleep on a Cardiff throw-in. Moreno does a Moreno, charging out and completely missing a tackle leading to a two-on-one. Hoilett’s cross unfortunately deflects off van Dijk straight to Paterson for a tap-in. Now it's 2-1 and it's from Cardiff’s first shot of the match.
And now we’re nervous. Now we’re remembering previous matches where Liverpool’s tossed away a lead.
That was last season. Liverpool don’t remember those matches. Liverpool weren’t nervous. Now the counter comes off. Now the goals come.
A bit of calming possession then Fabinho into Salah with his back to goal, cut inside, flick through a Cardiff’s retreating line. Shaqiri dances a first defender to the floor and shifts around a second, then slides a left-footer around Etheridge. There was.a nice symmetry to Salah’s goal on Wednesday set up by Shaqiri, a similar assist this time played by the former for the latter.
3-1, less than seven minutes after conceding, with Cardiff barely leaving their own half between the goals.
Two minutes later, Fabinho tackles a Cardiff attacker, straight to Mané. To Salah. Run forward, through ball between two. Chipped keeper.
4-1.
So much for the nerves.
Only a little bit of drama. Only a bit of “is this enough?” Liverpool continue to improve its creativity while continuing in the 4-2-3-1 formation, although Lallana did not have the match that Shaqiri did on Wednesday. Fabinho and Wijnaldum were again an excellent pairing in midfield. Liverpool continue to improve its finishing, with four goals from seven shots on-target, with 19 shots in total, with four clear-cut chances coming against a side that kept ten men in their own half for almost the entirety. Salah scores again, Mané scores again.
Liverpool did so with players such as Shaqiri, Robertson, Gomez, Henderson, and Milner either left out or on the bench, with Moreno making his first league start, Lallana his second, and Lovren his third. Liverpool did so while again using its squad depth, even with a week before the next match, because that squad depth's going to be necessary later in the campaign.
Wednesday was the first step in reclaiming the form and receiving the results that we know Liverpool are capable of. This was very much a second.
Salah 10’
Mané 66’ 86’
Paterson 77’
Shaqiri 84’
Normal service, resumed. For the most part.
Four goals, for the second time in four days. Four goals in consecutive matches for the first time since February. Salah with a goal and two assists, Mané with two goals, Shaqiri with his first goal for Liverpool.
But there was still a bit of 1-0 Huddersfield, 1-0 Brighton. There was still a bit of *rolls up newspaper* “NO BAD” in defense. There was marginal worry. There was too long between the first and second goals. There was an unnecessary consolation conceded at 2-0, giving us a fright for a few minutes and wrecking Liverpool’s 918-minute long Anfield league clean sheet.
But there were four goals and another win and the Premier League unbeaten streak rolls on and Liverpool are top of the table at least until Monday.
It looked like a rout from the first minute. Liverpool rolled over Cardiff like a rising tide. Come, clear, come again. A goal within ten minutes: Mané and Wijnaldum blocked after Cardiff failed to hoof away, then Salah first to the loose ball. A penalty shout – Salah wrestled by Morrison and hitting the turf – and van Dijk’s header off the post within the next five.
But then, a bit of rugged. A bit of raw. Slowly increasing frustration, memories of Huddersfield and Brighton lingering. No more shots on-target after the goal until the last second of added time. Cardiff still playing as if it was 0-0, seven men spread across the top of the penalty box, hoof, regroup. Liverpool close but no cigar to another breakthrough, a final pass cut out, a defender making the necessary tackle. Huddersfield. Brighton. 1-0, and no more, and not especially threatening more until Lallana’s 46th minute header was cleared off the line by Morrison.
And the second half started in similar fashion. The struggle is real. The frustration mounts. Cardiff have the ball in the net from a set play, but it's rightfully ruled offside in the build-up.
Then we're back, baby. Then Sadio Mané does Sadio Mané things, cutting inside from the left across the top of the box, surrounded by two Cardiff defenders and Moreno, somehow wriggling through all three to smash a left-footer past Etheridge. 66 minutes gone and it finally feels like we’re done here.
Except that we weren’t 11 minutes later. Liverpool fall asleep on a Cardiff throw-in. Moreno does a Moreno, charging out and completely missing a tackle leading to a two-on-one. Hoilett’s cross unfortunately deflects off van Dijk straight to Paterson for a tap-in. Now it's 2-1 and it's from Cardiff’s first shot of the match.
And now we’re nervous. Now we’re remembering previous matches where Liverpool’s tossed away a lead.
That was last season. Liverpool don’t remember those matches. Liverpool weren’t nervous. Now the counter comes off. Now the goals come.
A bit of calming possession then Fabinho into Salah with his back to goal, cut inside, flick through a Cardiff’s retreating line. Shaqiri dances a first defender to the floor and shifts around a second, then slides a left-footer around Etheridge. There was.a nice symmetry to Salah’s goal on Wednesday set up by Shaqiri, a similar assist this time played by the former for the latter.
3-1, less than seven minutes after conceding, with Cardiff barely leaving their own half between the goals.
Two minutes later, Fabinho tackles a Cardiff attacker, straight to Mané. To Salah. Run forward, through ball between two. Chipped keeper.
4-1.
So much for the nerves.
Only a little bit of drama. Only a bit of “is this enough?” Liverpool continue to improve its creativity while continuing in the 4-2-3-1 formation, although Lallana did not have the match that Shaqiri did on Wednesday. Fabinho and Wijnaldum were again an excellent pairing in midfield. Liverpool continue to improve its finishing, with four goals from seven shots on-target, with 19 shots in total, with four clear-cut chances coming against a side that kept ten men in their own half for almost the entirety. Salah scores again, Mané scores again.
Liverpool did so with players such as Shaqiri, Robertson, Gomez, Henderson, and Milner either left out or on the bench, with Moreno making his first league start, Lallana his second, and Lovren his third. Liverpool did so while again using its squad depth, even with a week before the next match, because that squad depth's going to be necessary later in the campaign.
Wednesday was the first step in reclaiming the form and receiving the results that we know Liverpool are capable of. This was very much a second.
26 October 2018
Liverpool v Cardiff City 10.27.18
10am ET, live in the US on NBC Sports
Last four head-to-head:
6-3 Liverpool (a) 03.22.14
3-1 Liverpool (h) 12.21.13
2-2 Liverpool aet (n; League Cup) 02.26.12
2-1 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.31.07
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 4-0 Red Star (h); 1-0 Huddersfield (a); 0-0 City (h)
Cardiff: 4-2 Fulham (h); 0-1 Tottenham (a); 1-2 Burnley (h)
Goal scorers (league):
Liverpool: Mané, Salah 4; Firmino, Sturridge 2; Matip, Milner, Wijnaldum 1
Cardiff: J Murphy 2; Bamba, Camarasa, Harris, Paterson, Reid, Ward 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Alisson
Trent A-A Gomez van Dijk Robertson
Wijnaldum Fabinho Milner
Salah Firmino Mané
There’s a very good argument for not changing the XI from Wednesday.
I mean, y’all saw the match. Liverpool were good. Liverpool were creative. Liverpool scored four and could have had a few more and didn’t even allow a single shot on-target. And it was the first time in a while we could say those things about the attack.
So why change?
Maybe Liverpool shouldn’t. There will be a week before traveling to Arsenal, Liverpool without a midweek game. Cardiff will do some things similarly to Red Star. Liverpool were both more creative and even more secure through the middle with Wednesday’s formation and XI.
But Klopp rotates. Liverpool have a reasonably large squad – even with Keïta and Henderson still absent – and Liverpool want to use that squad. Klopp spent some of today’s press conference talking up Origi, Solanke, Clyne, and Matip – players who’ve barely if at all featured so far this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two names we don’t expect nor would I be surprised to see a return to the more familiar 4-3-3 formation – a formation that Fabinho will have to acclimatize to at some point.
So the above guess is a hedge between those factors. Even if it is desperately unfair to Shaqiri, who has been excellent in the last two matches. Heck, maybe I should just guess the same XI as last time.
Meanwhile, Cardiff may have just gotten their first win last week, but it’s been an understandably difficult road to this point. They’ve already hosted Arsenal and Manchester City and travelled to Chelsea and Tottenham, losing 2-3, 0-5, 1-4, and 0-1 in those matches. This’ll be their tenth games of the campaign and five of them will have been against last season’s top six. The last two recent losses prior to Fulham were a lot narrower, one-goal defeats to Burnley and Tottenham, only losing 1-0 at Spurs despite conceding in the eighth minute and having a player sent off in the 58th.
Without any real point of comparison, my best guess is the same XI that beat Fulham. Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Arter, J Murphy; Reid; Paterson. Ralls will miss out in midfield, serving the second of a three-match ban for a red card at Tottenham, but Aron Gunnarsson’s finally fit, having made his first start in the last match. Camarasa can pay both centrally or out wide; Paterson has started up top lately but can also play deeper. Cardiff could start Hoilett out wide or Danny Ward (not that one) or Gary Madine up front if changes are to be made.
Neil Warnock has never won as manager at Anfield, losing 4-0 with Notts County, 2-0 and 4-0 with Sheffield United, and 1-0 with Queens Park Rangers, but he did win his last match against Liverpool during his short reign as Palace manager, 1-3 at Palace in November 2014.
And Warnock’s already talking down his side’s potential, saying that it’s “virtually impossible” to win at Anfield these days. He’s not necessarily wrong, even if that is gamesmanship to put even more pressure on Liverpool while taking it off his side. “Oh, poor us, we’ll never get anything” and then if they do get anything, break out the bus we’re having a parade.
Cardiff, unsurprisingly, are a very Championship squad playing a very Championship style. It’s what Neil Warnock knows, it’s what Neil Warnock’s always done. They’re strong in the air and at set plays. They absolutely love crosses. Josh Murphy, Reid, and Hoillett are quick on the counter. They’re rugged and deep defensively. They want next to nothing to do with the ball, joint-lowest in possession along with Brighton and with the worst passing accuracy in the league by far.
The Brighton comparison actually works reasonably well. Chris Hughton’s side was built in a similar manner, plays a similar style. And Brighton gave Liverpool problems two months ago, holding Liverpool reasonably at bay at Anfield despite an early goal from Salah and multiple Liverpool chances, even nearly finding an equalizer through Groß’ late clear-cut chance.
Liverpool nearly dropped two points in that Brighton match because of an inability to convert their own chances, something we’ve complained about multiple times this season. We certainly weren’t complaining about that on Wednesday – well, “complain” isn’t the right word; Liverpool scored four but another two or three wouldn’t have flattered.
More of that please. We know that Liverpool are capable of doing so.
Last four head-to-head:
6-3 Liverpool (a) 03.22.14
3-1 Liverpool (h) 12.21.13
2-2 Liverpool aet (n; League Cup) 02.26.12
2-1 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.31.07
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 4-0 Red Star (h); 1-0 Huddersfield (a); 0-0 City (h)
Cardiff: 4-2 Fulham (h); 0-1 Tottenham (a); 1-2 Burnley (h)
Goal scorers (league):
Liverpool: Mané, Salah 4; Firmino, Sturridge 2; Matip, Milner, Wijnaldum 1
Cardiff: J Murphy 2; Bamba, Camarasa, Harris, Paterson, Reid, Ward 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Alisson
Trent A-A Gomez van Dijk Robertson
Wijnaldum Fabinho Milner
Salah Firmino Mané
There’s a very good argument for not changing the XI from Wednesday.
I mean, y’all saw the match. Liverpool were good. Liverpool were creative. Liverpool scored four and could have had a few more and didn’t even allow a single shot on-target. And it was the first time in a while we could say those things about the attack.
So why change?
Maybe Liverpool shouldn’t. There will be a week before traveling to Arsenal, Liverpool without a midweek game. Cardiff will do some things similarly to Red Star. Liverpool were both more creative and even more secure through the middle with Wednesday’s formation and XI.
But Klopp rotates. Liverpool have a reasonably large squad – even with Keïta and Henderson still absent – and Liverpool want to use that squad. Klopp spent some of today’s press conference talking up Origi, Solanke, Clyne, and Matip – players who’ve barely if at all featured so far this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two names we don’t expect nor would I be surprised to see a return to the more familiar 4-3-3 formation – a formation that Fabinho will have to acclimatize to at some point.
So the above guess is a hedge between those factors. Even if it is desperately unfair to Shaqiri, who has been excellent in the last two matches. Heck, maybe I should just guess the same XI as last time.
Meanwhile, Cardiff may have just gotten their first win last week, but it’s been an understandably difficult road to this point. They’ve already hosted Arsenal and Manchester City and travelled to Chelsea and Tottenham, losing 2-3, 0-5, 1-4, and 0-1 in those matches. This’ll be their tenth games of the campaign and five of them will have been against last season’s top six. The last two recent losses prior to Fulham were a lot narrower, one-goal defeats to Burnley and Tottenham, only losing 1-0 at Spurs despite conceding in the eighth minute and having a player sent off in the 58th.
Without any real point of comparison, my best guess is the same XI that beat Fulham. Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Arter, J Murphy; Reid; Paterson. Ralls will miss out in midfield, serving the second of a three-match ban for a red card at Tottenham, but Aron Gunnarsson’s finally fit, having made his first start in the last match. Camarasa can pay both centrally or out wide; Paterson has started up top lately but can also play deeper. Cardiff could start Hoilett out wide or Danny Ward (not that one) or Gary Madine up front if changes are to be made.
Neil Warnock has never won as manager at Anfield, losing 4-0 with Notts County, 2-0 and 4-0 with Sheffield United, and 1-0 with Queens Park Rangers, but he did win his last match against Liverpool during his short reign as Palace manager, 1-3 at Palace in November 2014.
And Warnock’s already talking down his side’s potential, saying that it’s “virtually impossible” to win at Anfield these days. He’s not necessarily wrong, even if that is gamesmanship to put even more pressure on Liverpool while taking it off his side. “Oh, poor us, we’ll never get anything” and then if they do get anything, break out the bus we’re having a parade.
Cardiff, unsurprisingly, are a very Championship squad playing a very Championship style. It’s what Neil Warnock knows, it’s what Neil Warnock’s always done. They’re strong in the air and at set plays. They absolutely love crosses. Josh Murphy, Reid, and Hoillett are quick on the counter. They’re rugged and deep defensively. They want next to nothing to do with the ball, joint-lowest in possession along with Brighton and with the worst passing accuracy in the league by far.
The Brighton comparison actually works reasonably well. Chris Hughton’s side was built in a similar manner, plays a similar style. And Brighton gave Liverpool problems two months ago, holding Liverpool reasonably at bay at Anfield despite an early goal from Salah and multiple Liverpool chances, even nearly finding an equalizer through Groß’ late clear-cut chance.
Liverpool nearly dropped two points in that Brighton match because of an inability to convert their own chances, something we’ve complained about multiple times this season. We certainly weren’t complaining about that on Wednesday – well, “complain” isn’t the right word; Liverpool scored four but another two or three wouldn’t have flattered.
More of that please. We know that Liverpool are capable of doing so.
25 October 2018
Visualized: Liverpool 4-0 Red Star Belgrade
Previous Match Infographics: 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.
(Here’s the formation diagram that’s usually included in match reviews)
One match is one match is one match but hoooooooo boy that’s normal service resumed, that’s the Liverpool attack we’ve come to know and love and love.
Four goals, for the first time since opening day.
21 shots, the most since a 1-0 win over Brighton at the end of August.
11 shots on-target, the most since hammering Brighton on the last day of last season’s league campaign.
Nine clear-cut chances, for the first time that I can remember in a single match.
And goals for Firmino, Sarah, and Mané, the first time all three have scored in a single match this season after doing it eight times last season, with the final in the Champions League against Roma at Anfield.
That’s a paddlin’.
I won’t pretend to be any expert on them, but Red Star are not a bad side.
The Euro Club Index isn’t infallible, obviously, but it’s not a bad starting point. Red Star are top of the Serbian league by seven points already, after only 12 matches, having won 11 and drawn one. They’re in the Champions League proper because of an away goal win over Red Bull Salzburg – last season’s Europa League semi-finalists. They held Napoli to a 0-0 draw in the first Champions League match week. They tried to take the game to Liverpool, pressing early, with their two best chances coming before Liverpool’s opener – including a clear-cut chance when Babic got free on a corner.
But then Liverpool Liverpooled.
Counter-pressing leading to the first, with Shaqiri chasing down Ebecilio as Red Star tried to get out, a few quick passes then an incisive run from the thiccness, splitting the defense to find Robertson on the byline, cut back for Firmino to control and finish.
Then a bit of a lull – Liverpool’s longest stretch without a shot. Similar happened after scoring at Huddersfield around the same time. But rather than let Red Star back into the game, Liverpool controlled and pulled and poked and prodded and eventually got the necessary second just before halftime, a long, long, long pass-filled stretch – albeit with one failed clearance falling to Wijnaldum just before the goal – with Shaqiri again the creative hub, a wonderful touch to lay Wijnaldum’s pass into Salah at pace, controlled, right-footed.
That second goal was everything, especially coming so close to halftime. That’s the back-breaker. That gave Liverpool the necessary breathing space. That gave Liverpool more space to attack, more chances to counter, as Red Star had to at least come out a little bit, even if more of the second half was damage control, especially after a soft penalty for an elbow clothesline on Mané, converted by Sarah for his second of the match and 50th for Liverpool, the quickest Liverpool player to hit that mark.
And unlike in recent matches, Liverpool made use of those counter-attacking opportunities. More goals would not have flattered the home side. Just look at all those clear-cut chances in the last 40 minutes. Fabinho over the top for Alexander-Arnold, nearly first-touch lofted over the keeper. A second penalty, taken by Many after a set play handball, wonderfully saved with the follow-up poorly missed. A defensive error and counter-pressing leading to Liverpool’s fourth, with Wijnaldum stepping in front of El Fardou Ben to intercept Babic’s pass, feeding Sturridge who smartly and selflessly found Mané. Lallana put through on goal from Sturridge’s through ball, caught by the trailing defender and shooting too close to Borjan. Mane in second half injury time, over the top to Firmino, through-ball in behind, into the side-netting.
There were more than a few factors responsible for it. Fabinho grew into the game as a double pivot, with both he and Wijnaldum excellent. Fabinho destroyed – and boy did he ever with nine successful tackles, a high for a Liverpool player this season, six aerial duel wins, and only two fouls committed – while Wijnaldum started and linked. Firmino as the #10 and Shaqiri cutting inside gave Liverpool more creativity from that area, with Mané coming inside as well. Shaqiri’s passes for the first and second goals were remarkable, and exactly the type of passes that Liverpool had failed to make in recent matches; Firmino played a similar through-ball from deep for Mané's injury time pass. And Salah stretched play centrally, keeping both center-backs busy while Shaqiri, Mané, and Firmino looked to do damage around him. Oh, and he scored twice and he’s got six goals in all competitions this season and he’s so out of form what happened to Salah.
And that attack came without any defensive lapses – at least after that set play clear-cut chance in the 17th minute. Only four shots allowed all match, with none on target. That’s the fewest shots allowed in a match this season and the first time that Liverpool’s opponent had no shots on-target since the 3-0 win over Southampton in November 2017.
This was Liverpool’s seventh clean sheet of the season. On October 24th. Liverpool’s seventh clean sheet came more than a month later last season, on November 18th against Southampton, in the 19th match of the season. Since the beginning of March, Liverpool have conceded six goals at Anfield in 15 matches, with all coming in cup competition – two against Roma, PSG, and Chelsea.
This was Liverpool putting everything together, with still evident room for improvement. Now, Liverpool have to do it more consistently.
Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app.
(Here’s the formation diagram that’s usually included in match reviews)
One match is one match is one match but hoooooooo boy that’s normal service resumed, that’s the Liverpool attack we’ve come to know and love and love.
Four goals, for the first time since opening day.
21 shots, the most since a 1-0 win over Brighton at the end of August.
11 shots on-target, the most since hammering Brighton on the last day of last season’s league campaign.
Nine clear-cut chances, for the first time that I can remember in a single match.
And goals for Firmino, Sarah, and Mané, the first time all three have scored in a single match this season after doing it eight times last season, with the final in the Champions League against Roma at Anfield.
That’s a paddlin’.
I won’t pretend to be any expert on them, but Red Star are not a bad side.
Red Star Belgrade are ranked 71st in @EuroClubIndex . That's higher than:
— Dan Kennett (@DanKennett) October 25, 2018
West Ham, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Watford, Burnley, Brighton, Newcastle, Fulham, Cardiff, Huddersfield
Also higher than Celtic, Stuttgart, Feyenoord, Sampdoria and Anderlecht
The Euro Club Index isn’t infallible, obviously, but it’s not a bad starting point. Red Star are top of the Serbian league by seven points already, after only 12 matches, having won 11 and drawn one. They’re in the Champions League proper because of an away goal win over Red Bull Salzburg – last season’s Europa League semi-finalists. They held Napoli to a 0-0 draw in the first Champions League match week. They tried to take the game to Liverpool, pressing early, with their two best chances coming before Liverpool’s opener – including a clear-cut chance when Babic got free on a corner.
But then Liverpool Liverpooled.
Counter-pressing leading to the first, with Shaqiri chasing down Ebecilio as Red Star tried to get out, a few quick passes then an incisive run from the thiccness, splitting the defense to find Robertson on the byline, cut back for Firmino to control and finish.
Then a bit of a lull – Liverpool’s longest stretch without a shot. Similar happened after scoring at Huddersfield around the same time. But rather than let Red Star back into the game, Liverpool controlled and pulled and poked and prodded and eventually got the necessary second just before halftime, a long, long, long pass-filled stretch – albeit with one failed clearance falling to Wijnaldum just before the goal – with Shaqiri again the creative hub, a wonderful touch to lay Wijnaldum’s pass into Salah at pace, controlled, right-footed.
That second goal was everything, especially coming so close to halftime. That’s the back-breaker. That gave Liverpool the necessary breathing space. That gave Liverpool more space to attack, more chances to counter, as Red Star had to at least come out a little bit, even if more of the second half was damage control, especially after a soft penalty for an elbow clothesline on Mané, converted by Sarah for his second of the match and 50th for Liverpool, the quickest Liverpool player to hit that mark.
And unlike in recent matches, Liverpool made use of those counter-attacking opportunities. More goals would not have flattered the home side. Just look at all those clear-cut chances in the last 40 minutes. Fabinho over the top for Alexander-Arnold, nearly first-touch lofted over the keeper. A second penalty, taken by Many after a set play handball, wonderfully saved with the follow-up poorly missed. A defensive error and counter-pressing leading to Liverpool’s fourth, with Wijnaldum stepping in front of El Fardou Ben to intercept Babic’s pass, feeding Sturridge who smartly and selflessly found Mané. Lallana put through on goal from Sturridge’s through ball, caught by the trailing defender and shooting too close to Borjan. Mane in second half injury time, over the top to Firmino, through-ball in behind, into the side-netting.
There were more than a few factors responsible for it. Fabinho grew into the game as a double pivot, with both he and Wijnaldum excellent. Fabinho destroyed – and boy did he ever with nine successful tackles, a high for a Liverpool player this season, six aerial duel wins, and only two fouls committed – while Wijnaldum started and linked. Firmino as the #10 and Shaqiri cutting inside gave Liverpool more creativity from that area, with Mané coming inside as well. Shaqiri’s passes for the first and second goals were remarkable, and exactly the type of passes that Liverpool had failed to make in recent matches; Firmino played a similar through-ball from deep for Mané's injury time pass. And Salah stretched play centrally, keeping both center-backs busy while Shaqiri, Mané, and Firmino looked to do damage around him. Oh, and he scored twice and he’s got six goals in all competitions this season and he’s so out of form what happened to Salah.
And that attack came without any defensive lapses – at least after that set play clear-cut chance in the 17th minute. Only four shots allowed all match, with none on target. That’s the fewest shots allowed in a match this season and the first time that Liverpool’s opponent had no shots on-target since the 3-0 win over Southampton in November 2017.
This was Liverpool’s seventh clean sheet of the season. On October 24th. Liverpool’s seventh clean sheet came more than a month later last season, on November 18th against Southampton, in the 19th match of the season. Since the beginning of March, Liverpool have conceded six goals at Anfield in 15 matches, with all coming in cup competition – two against Roma, PSG, and Chelsea.
This was Liverpool putting everything together, with still evident room for improvement. Now, Liverpool have to do it more consistently.
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