Analysing one of the darkest days of Liverpool’s season so far…
Liverpool were taken apart by Arsenal this afternoon, with goals from Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud ensuring the gap between us and the top four has just got that little bit bigger.
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The result, while disappointing, will not come as a huge surprise. Arsenal are in tremendous form, while we were missing a whole host of key players through injury and suspension – most notably Martin Skrtel.
Jordan Henderson did at least ensure the Reds made a mark on the score-sheet, although we’ll have to play a lot better if we’re to beat Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup next week.
Here are five things we learned from today’s game…
5) Not perfect, but Simon Mignolet is very good!
To those Liverpool fans criticising Mignolet after today’s game – give it a rest! Yes, he might have done better with a still world-class free-kick from Mesut Ozil. Yes, he might have got up an arm faster to Alexis Sanchez’s pile-driver. And yes, we would have lost by a lot more if it weren’t for his three world class saves. His brilliant stop to deny Aaron Ramsey deserves particular praise, while his defenders offered him little or no protection.
4) Suspensions and injuries catching up with us
Martin Skrtel was a big miss today. Only in his absence can we see just how crucial the Slovakian is to our cause. He is the leader in chief at the back, so much so that even Toure’s vast experience paled in comparison. Kolo was poor today, coming off the back of a three month run without a Premier League start. Steven Gerrard was also missed, his calming influence could have made a difference on an afternoon when we always looked hurried.
3) The 3-4-3 formation needs to be given a rest
The suspension for Emre Can should confirm it – if only for the fact that there’s barely anyone left to replace him. Liverpool need to re-organise ahead of the Blackburn game, ideally into a 4-4-2 diamond formation. Glen Johnson will likely come into the team, with Dejan Lovren partnering Mamadou Sakho at the heart of the back-line. Raheem Sterling can then go back into his best position at the head of the midfield, playing behind a front two.
2) Raheem Sterling still cares about Liverpool
The youngster was arguably our best player today, with the possible exception of Mignolet. He would have scored has Markovic’s pass been better and he won the penalty for Henderson’s goal. He played both up front and on the left-hand side after Daniel Sturridge came on, he kept running and looked committed throughout the course of the 90 minutes. If he does want to go, there were no signs of it on display at the Emirates this afternoon.
1) The top four is virtually beyond reach
We’ve tried to pick out some positives this afternoon, but the truth is that our top four hopes are now hanging by a thread. Even if we to win all of our remaining games, it’s still unlikely. Manchester United’s win over Aston Villa later in the day means that we’re now eight points adrift of the Red Devils, with Manchester City actually dropping to fourth ahead of their game against Crystal Palace on Monday evening. We have it all to do, that’s for sure.
