What will Brendan Rodgers be telling his squad this week…?
Liverpool lost again on Saturday, this time to Chelsea, meaning they haven’t won since the victory over QPR on October 19.
However, despite the enormously disappointing result, fans have at least something to clutch onto because of patches of the team’s performance.
Here’s three positives from the match against Chelsea…
1) The performance of Emre Can
It’s important to remember that summer signing Emre Can is only 20-years-old. He’s already physically outstanding, and proved (especially early on) that he can compete with elite central midfielders such as Nemanja Matic. His strike for the goal looked like it was actually arrowing into the corner, before a deflection helped the Reds take the lead. Can’s tenacity and enthusiasm earned the stroke of fortune, however.
2) The glimpses shown by Coutinho
At his best, our Brazilian playmaker is special. On more than one occasion, Coutinho left Chelsea players looking foolish as he weaved past them in midfield. Although he faded, the no.10 produced enough moments of spellbinding skill to show that if he fulfils his potential – he could develop into the Premier League’s most exciting creative players.
3) The intensity of the first 15 minutes
For the first time this season, there was a spell when Liverpool played the ultra high energy exciting football that earned so many wins last term. The midfielders relentlessly pressed, and the creative players were happy to play first time passes, instead of simply recycling possession. It led to the game’s opening goal, which at the time, was thoroughly deserved. No other side has dismantled Chelsea like that this season – although it sadly only lasted for a very short space of time.
