Liverpool go in search of their first Premier League win (and points) since mid-September as they take on Aston Villa at Anfield tonight.
Both teams created chances in the opening quarter of the match, with Dominik Szoboszlai firing wide from distance and Morgan Rogers striking the post for the visitors in the early exchanges.
The Reds managed to come through the first 15 minutes of a top-flight match without conceding since the derby win over Everton six weeks ago, but shortly after that staging post tonight they almost fell behind.
Mamardashvili saves Liverpool with ‘stunning’ reflexes
In the 19th minute at Anfield, Matty Cash let fly with a shot from just outside the Liverpool penalty area, and it seemed goalbound after taking a wicked deflection off Virgil van Dijk, but Giorgi Mamardashvili reacted brilliantly to tip the ball behind for a corner kick.
In Sky Sports‘ live web commentary for the match, their reporter Adam Bate wrote in response to the Georgian’s quick reflexes (20:22): “Stunning save, that.”
A potentially vital moment from Mamardashvili
Liverpool have gone a goal behind in every single match they’ve played since the Merseyside derby in September, losing on each occasion except for the 5-1 drubbing of Eintracht Frankfurt last month, so it would’ve felt vital for them not to find themselves in such adversity in the opening 20 minutes tonight.
Mamardashvili hasn’t managed a clean sheet since stepping in for the injured Alisson Becker, and although he’s generally acquitted himself quite well in the meantime, his confidence will soar after his brilliant reactions to keep out the fizzing shot from Cash.
It would’ve been downright unlucky for the Reds had it gone into the net off Van Dijk’s deflection, so the importance to morale of the 25-year-old’s save can’t be overstated.
He was one of two players that Steve Nicol absolved from blame for Liverpool’s slump over the past few weeks, and although the Georgian has been beaten a few times in that run, he’s also pulled off some vital saves for his team.
If we’re to go on and win tonight, that 19th-minute stop to thwart Cash could be looked back upon as a defining moment.
He has deputized well. I thought Alisson was playing when he made 2 of the saves today. He will progress well under the guidance of Alisson. We are in good hands in the goalie department for years to come.
The team news was what most Liverpool fans were asking for. Robertson at left back, our best midfield, gravenberch, Alistair mac allister, and szoboszlai. Villa played well for 25 minutes, were unlucky not to score, but the villa keeper handed Liverpool the game with the mistake just before half time. Szoboszlai was outstanding again, almost the complete midfield performance. Coming deep to bring the ball out of midfield, and he was the one who started the pressing. The goal came from the pressing which has been the best we’ve seen from Liverpool so far. Villa were poor once we scored, the clean sheet will hopefully build confidence. A good win, but harder games coming up. Interesting that wirtz came on and played as a false number nine, maybe that’s his best position, because you can’t break up the midfield that got slot the success he had last season. Play your best players, in form , in the right positions. Keep Kirkez and wirtz on the bench for the time being.
Eg. Chronic.
No point attempting to make good points if nobody reads it.
Don’t worry, they are words, but they say nothing constructive either.
The frequency’s dropped off a little, but that could be temporary.
Loving the Star Trek references though, neph
Planet Eater anyone ?
I dont know why it has taken Slot this long to realise that it’s Kerkez killing the game. Shaky all the time, negative passes, poor crosses, just shocking. Even Tsimikas was better.
No sign of LFC pulling a caveat on the Roma loan ?
Maybe Arne’s got something up his sleeve ?
Hope so.