Football News: Liverpool v Leeds United - A Liverpool Perspective

Liverpool v Leeds United A Liverpool Perspective

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A poor performance by Liverpool overall, something that is becoming all too familiar this season. As usual the press was non-existent and, without it, the team is far too easy to play through. Stroll through even. Added to that, there is a lack of organisation, which means the defence is exposed badly and there are gaps for opponents to attack. They look nothing like a Klopp team at the moment and that is not down to things such as age of players, it is clearly tactical instructions that are the issue. Unless those are changed, this could get even worse for Liverpool fans, as this team is not suited to the way they are being asked to play.

This Liverpool squad has been built around Jurgen Klopp's 'heavy metal' style and the players are well suited to that. Playing this more measured style just does not bring out their best and it puts them into situations that leaves them always at a disadvantage. They need to be in the opponents' faces, harrying and hassling them. Instead they are dropping off and inviting attackers on. It is not playing to their strengths at all.

Leeds United

They fully deserved the win, that is something that should be made clear, they pressed well and worked hard. However, they did not play that well either, the main difference was that they outworked Liverpool by a large margin. They made a lot of mistakes that Liverpool should have scored from, but they wanted the victory more and got it. That is a big worry for both sets of fans. For Liverpool fans, being outworked is unheard of under Klopp until recently, and being beaten by a side that struggled just as much as them in their play is also a worry. Liverpool usually outwork a team and find a way to pull a victory out the bag, there was no sign of that there. As for Leeds, the worry is that not many teams they will face this season will pass up the number of opportunities the Leeds defence gave them and not every team will be outworked.

On the plus side, they have Gnonto, and that boy looks a real talent. The big question is why has he not been given more game time already this season when their attack other than him is so toothless? Now they have a chance to put him in there and build on this result, unlike their excellent result against Chelsea. They have to continue to outwork everyone. Another plus is that those players brought in that he knew are clearly playing for Marsch and want to succeed for him. Also, it must be said, Adams looks a real find, absolutely perfect for a high-intensity style and, the way he is playing right now, an upgrade on Phillips.

Liverpool

Klopp - this team is no longer playing like a Klopp team, none of the hallmarks of his style are there. He needs to step in and take them back to his way and be the great leader of men we know he is, even though it will mean upsetting a few people. It is his head on the block and he needs to remember that and take full control of it all once again. It is clear that the power of his personality was a large part of the club's success. With it he can bring the fans and the team together.

Alisson - once more he was the outstanding player and played well, apart from the first goal, when his lack of communication with Gomez was partly to blame for the error. His quality is unquestionable though and he always pulls saves out when needed, plus his distribution is a class apart.

Alexander-Arnold - he was playing well until pulling up in the first half and then he was clearly struggling with a problem. Hard to judge his performance after that. However, Alexander-Arnold does possess excellent vision and range of passing, which are so key to the way the team plays that there is simply no one that can just come in and provide what he does. So it is understandable Klopp left him on as long as possible, even with the potential risks of injury.

Gomez - his game will be remembered for his mistake for the first goal, which is a shame as his overall game was not the worst at all. It was not a great game, by any means, but he was the one reading the play and dropping off to provide cover against runs in behind. There are signs of him coming back to form, but his confidence has to be effected by the way he is being treated in the media.

van Dijk - he was poor, again. His form has dropped off a cliff and, instead of gradually coming back, it seems that it is still falling. The first goal, while not directly his fault, he should have been across on the cover, but he was back to the Southampton van Dijk, who just stands and watches far too much of the game. On a number of attacks his positioning was appalling and the second goal he did not react or try to close down the man on the ball, allowing a free shot. His one saving grace at the moment is his distribution, but even that is a bit hit and miss right now. I feel he and Gomez both need the intensity to return to the play. Gomez is too nice and is not aggressive enough by nature, similar to Matip, so needs the high intensity to force him to be more assertive. Van Dijk is so laidback and relaxed that he has a tendency to lose focus, something there is no time to do when the team is playing with its full intensity. They are a centre-back pairing for a high-press, all-out action team, without it they are suffering. In fact the whole team, apart from Thiago, was bought with that style in mind, and yet they are being asked to play differently. It is little wonder that this team is struggling.

Robertson - at times he was back to the Robertson of old and showed some of the old fire. However, he was the one player trying to play that way and so it was easy for Leeds to just play around him. He was the only outfield starting eleven player who could be argued to have had a good game, and he was playing the old style. Hopefully that will give Klopp pause and make him realise this team is built to play one way and they need to go back to playing that way.

Fabinho - at his best Fabinho is one of the best sweepers around in midfield. His skill is in just sitting off behind the press and clearing up anything that breaks it. Without that press he is exposed and constantly being overrun. Even the greatest players have limitations and the idea is to put together a system that enhances their abilities and covers for their limitations. Right now Liverpool are playing in a way that does nothing to help him use his qualities and leaves him facing two, three or sometimes even four players on his own. It is little wonder he is having a terrible season and it was probably a relief to him when he was subbed off!

Thiago - he was off his game and his passing was wayward at times. With his passing being the major component of his game, that means he had a bad game. At least he put in effort and tried to get the ball back when he did give it away. Players will not always play well, that is understandable, but there is never an excuse for not working hard.

Elliott - at times he was isolated out on the right, too far from the rest of the midfield, but he did link up well with Alexander-Arnold and Salah. Unfortunately his attempts to play clever passes and nice flicks and tricks never came off. While he kept trying, it did not go well for him and it was a disappointing game.

Firmino - a very mixed game, there were flashes of good link up play, but mostly he was not at his best and struggled to get into the game properly.

Salah - always a threat and gave Cooper kittens at times. The only thing he really lacked was good service, the workrate and movement was certainly there, but he just did not get the ball enough.

Nunez - his pace was not utilised enough, which is a shame as he showed that he terrified their defence. His one really good chance he took too long over and allowed the keeper to come out and deal with it.

Jones - replaced Elliott. His arrival, along with Henderson, energised the team and he was constantly looking to make things happen and got around the pitch much more than Elliott did. Elliott had pretty much stuck to the right-side, but Jones was happy to drift all over looking to get the ball and look to create something.

Henderson - came on for Fabinho. Often he comes on and is the catalyst for a lift in performance, but this time he was a little subdued. Playing that little bit deeper really does not make full use of his qualities.

Milner - was brought on to take Alexander-Arnold's place. He always gives his all and that was no different, but he was unable to cope with Gnonto when defending. Not just him to be fair, but he is another player that needs to be 'up and at 'em' like Henderson, rather than on the back foot.

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Written by Tris Burke November 01 2022 06:34:33