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Football News: Liverpool v West Ham - A Liverpool Perspective

Liverpool v West Ham - A Liverpool Perspective
Image from: theprepperproject.com

Liverpool v West Ham

 

Once again David Moyes showed why he has a terrible record at Anfield, he has not got the tactical wherewithal to get a win. Going in against a front 3 with a back 3 is always going to be a problem unless you have 3 centre backs capable of handling the attackers one on one. Collins can barely run these days, so he was always in trouble and Cresswell is still learning the position, so he was always in trouble as well.

It showed from the start as Liverpool dominated with just a small moment when the game was pretty much over at 3-0 and they took their foot off the pedal and allowed the Hammers in for one back. It was one of the easier wins of the season and fully deserved as it was clear from first moment to last who the better team was.

 

Klopp - his team dominated from start to finish, the only thing I do not understand was why he left the subs so late, as he tends to do. Other than that, the big issue was the change at the back. Matip is a liability defensively.

 

Karius - once again look solid and assured. Also made a good save. One moment when he passed out to put a player in trouble aside, he was pretty much faultless, though his kick outs tended to head towards Collins' area which was a mistake. He should do his research on the opposition and know who is the best header of the ball on the opposition and play kicks away from them.

 

Alexander-Arnold - had a nice comfortable game with little pressure on him and so was able to get forward at will. Played some nice balls in at times.

 

Matip - not sure why Klopp decided to bring him back in but he did and he was not really tested too much, but struggled when Arnautovic did get at him.

 

van Dijk - again not really troubled, though could have done better both with the goal the Hammers scored and his headed chance.

 

Robertson - did well, though he was caught out badly on the goal, got forward too early, but still had time to react and get back if he had not stood watching while Can was dispossessed. There was time there for him to track back and be in position, but he stood watching. Other than that, he played well and his delivery and decision making was much improved.

 

Oxlade-Chamberlain - did some really good things and looked a real threat at times, including the run which led to his assist from the floor. One of his better performances.

 

Can - does some good things but is incredibly sloppy at times. Far too many times for my liking. The oddity of every header he made going to an opposing player was only broken by his goal scoring header. For every good bit of play he is loose with a pass or header or touch a couple of times. The talent is there but he is just not right at it mentally in my opinion. Should do better, we know he can do.

 

Milner - did well, covered at the back well and got forward constantly. Made some good tackles too. Really cannot fault his performance yesterday.

 

Salah - what can you say about Salah that has not already been said? He is rapidly becoming unplayable for any defender and tore Cresswell to shreds getting his usual goal.

 

Mane - scored and played well. The Mane of last season is coming back.

 

Firmino - Bobby is Bobby, he has Brazilian flair added to the workrate of a Trojan and that ability to not even need to look at what he is doing. He is a class apart. Especially now he is scoring at will as well.

 

Subs:

Lallana - came on for Firmino in the 82nd minute, showed some of his usual nice touches but had little chance to really threaten.

Solanke - came on for Salah in the 87th minute but was unable to really get into the game.

Moreno - replaced Mane on the left also in the 87th minute and really put himself about, trying his hardest to impress as usual.

Written by Tris Burke February 25 2018 16:29:48