This is a very honest, if a little down-heartening read, Reds!
If you need something cheerier, check or ‘Five positives from the 3-3 draw with Arsenal‘ as well!
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(Video) Watch Klopp’s gorilla celebration in slow-mo for Liverpool’s 3rd
Klopp on ‘special’ Brazilian, Mignolet blunders & mini-feud with Arsenal boss
Simon Mignolet is simply horrendous from set-pieces…
The Belgian could’ve done better for Arsenal’s first, as Aaron Ramsey scored at the near post, but his positioning and lack of command for their second was difficult to watch. He’s not improving in this area – he’s becoming more susceptible as teams recognise it as such an obvious weakness. What’s more – he’s on the verge of signing a five year contract, which could see him between Liverpool’s sticks until 2021. At this rate – calls for a proper replacement will only increase.
Dodgy centre-backs…
With Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren (often dodgy themselves), still unfit, it’s imperative that Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure play above their level. The latter did against Stoke, but he didn’t last night. Toure looked leggy and uncomfortable on the ball, much like his partner in truth. Sakho was was so exceptional before his injury versus Crystal Palace, but his confidence appears to have vanished. It would not be unfair to say he’s been a liability since his return and we can only hope he sorts it out. Or Steven Caulker might get in the side!
Christian Benteke doesn’t get in the box and ruins our fluidity…
Who does he think he is – David Silva? Why is a powerhouse forward, brilliant in the air – hovering outside the area? It doesn’t suit him, and it certainly doesn’t suit us. One particular moment comes to mind: Adam Lallana got to the byline – Benteke was hovering on the edge of the area and berated his team-mate for not finding him. There were six Arsenal defenders in the way and the forward should have been busting a gut to get to the near post. He doesn’t suit his team-mates, and equally as importantly – his team-mates don’t suit him at the moment. Will Benteke ever be a fit for Klopp…?
There’s still a lack of ideas around the final third…
We scored three goals last night, but one was a wonderstrike and one was from a lofted ball into the area in injury-time. Arsenal were far smoother around our area and looked more dangerous with the ball in our half. Jordon Ibe was too one-dimensional, continually trying to beat Nacho Monreal on the outside, but the Spaniard was too good for him last night. We probably missed the inventiveness of Coutinho, but even he needs a player ahead making exciting, unpredictable runs. That’s when his vision is maximised, and is why he links up so well with Daniel Sturridge. Hopefully we can see Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge as part of a front-three at some point this term. It’s potentially devastating.
Alberto Moreno needs a lesson in defence from Nacho Monreal…
Monreal put on a defensive masterclass at Anfield for the most of last night. He stopped us getting in crosses from the right and aided Arsenal’s counter-attacks while being totally responsible at the back. Monreal’s side though attacked with ease down their right, partly because Moreno made it too easy for them. Our Spaniard stood off, or was out of position. No defender in the Premier League has created more chances than Moreno, so there’s no question of his value going forward. But he’s part of the reason we’re so nervous at the back. At 23, he’s still time to improve. We don’t want him to become the left-footed Glen Johnson.