Football News: West Ham United v Liverpool - A Liverpool Perspective

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West Ham United v Liverpool

First off West Ham were truly awful, they were just a bunch of individuals with no teamwork, lack of workrate, no organisation or discipline. Clearly they are in a mess and it is only a matter of time before Slaven Bilic gets his marching orders. They have some decent players and are far from the worst team on paper that LFC have played, but on the pitch they were by far and away the worst team to have faced Liverpool this season. They look like a team heading for relegation unless change is made.

Liverpool, on the other hand, were professional and more organised at the back and in midfield than is usual for Jurgen Klopp. His teams normally focus so much on winning possession early that the positional sense and organisation tends to get lost in the press. There are certainly signs of Klopp changing his style to suit the English game, though it is a shame to see the 'gegenpress' consigned to the realms of history.

Yesterday Klopp kept a solid back 3 with the midfield pair sat in front of them protecting them throughout the first half. Moreno was given license to attack down the left and the front 4 just had the freedom to do what they wanted. Out of possession Moreno dropped in to make it a back 4 and Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mane dropped in on the wings to make it very much the good old 4-4-2. It did feel a bit disjointed up front as the 4 were getting in each other's way at times, obviously still learning to work together in this system, but it definitely worked to completely close the Hammers out of the game and created chances.

In the second half the back four stayed as a back 4, with Moreno venturing forward very sparingly. In fact it was very much a 4-4-2 for the second half, with Mane on the left, Ox on the left, Salah and Firmino up front. There was a wobble momentarily and the Hammers got a goal back, but Liverpool scored almost immediately and killed the momentum and could coast through the rest of the game. Not the most exciting performance of the season, but the most balanced I have witnessed Klopp's teams play since his arrival.

Klopp - his tactical tweaks worked a treat. Once Liverpool took the lead and West Ham realised they were not getting anywhere against the set up, their heads dropped. Though they came out for the second half with fresh fire in their belly and put some pressure on the backline, pulling one back, Liverpool just went straight back down the other end and scored. Once that happened the Hammers players were demoralised. They realised they were not going to create enough chances with Liverpool set up like this and the game was over bar the shouting.

Perhaps Klopp's team can manage games after all? They certainly showed signs of doing so yesterday, with the back 4 and central midfield pair sitting back and very rarely looking to get forward. Perhaps he could have used another youngster instead of Milner off the bench, but it was good to see Lovren come off the bench after his problems. The only issue I can see is his decision to stick by Mignolet, which is mystifying.

Mignolet - on another day he could easily have cost us the points, dithering on the ball, flapping at crosses or just watching them sail past him. He should not be there, but there is little point saying any more than that.

Gomez - made an error on the goal, yes there was a little nudge on him which could have been given as a foul, but he was caught under it anyway. Then he was targeted for a few minutes but worked his way through it and looked much more confident as a result. Apart from those few minutes where they decided he was the weak link and bombarded him, doubling and tripling up in his area to swarm him, he was comfortable and unruffled.

During those few moments when Carroll was upon him and there were players around him looking for knock ons he looked shakey, but he was trying to cope with 2 or 3 players alone. Thankfull Wijnaldum came across and helped him out. Only issue I have was that, without Henderson on the pitch, there was no one to speak to him after his error. Matip did nothing to help him, when he should have been the one there to guide him and Mignolet, supposedly the captain, was too busy hiding in case anyone noticed he could probably have dealt with the ball anyway.

Matip - was able to stroll through the game virtually untroubled, for some reason Carroll did not attempt to go up against him after he came on, despite him being the weaker of the two centre backs in the air. Scored a goal and was, overall, decent, though he did not do enough to help Gomez after the error the youngster made.

Klavan - had a similar game to Matip but without a goal. No real worries, was able to just drop off when the ball went into the air, so never struggled against pace.

Moreno - had another good game. Attacked at will in the first half and provided the width, sat back and defended in the second and defended well.

Can - did really well, particularly after Carroll came on and he took him on for every high ball. He is much better suited to a role like this, which clearly defines his responsibilities. Can applied himself well and dominated the midfield area.

Wijnaldum - obviously thought the crowd were so quiet he must have been playing at Anfield, as he had a really good game. Though he has still not broken his away goals duck, he did really well in a more protective role than his usual. He was there when Gomez was being overrun to help him.

Mane - looked a bit off his game but still managed to get 2 assists. Even on an off day, coming back from an injury lay-off, he is effective.

Salah - two goals and another MOTM performance, is he the signing of the season?

Firmino - if he could only have added a goal, which he should have done, he would have been MOTM, because his play was a thing of beauty for long periods of the game. Soem of his twists and turns are just brilliant.

Oxlade-Chamberlain - had a decent game, popped up all over the pitch and added a goal.

Subs:

Milner - replaced Mane in the 77th minute and worked well down the left, giving Moreno a bit more freedom to attack as he dropped in to the left back position when the chance came.

Lovren - good to see him back and hopefully feeling better. The break and backing of a large number of the fans in the player of the month vote will at least make him realise that he has people willing to stand by him in tough times. Came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 87th minute to allow LFC to go to a back 5. Never really had anything to do as West Ham had given up long before, but it must have felt good to him to get back out on the pitch.

Solanke - replaced Firmino up front in the 87th minute, had very little time but still managed to create the space to get a shot off. Needed more time really but he did impress in the short cameo he had.

Written by Tris Burke November 05 2017 08:38:43