The much hyped Liverpool-Man U game was a proper damp squib. Much has been said about the mess happening at Old Trafford, but Liverpool is a much more nuanced situation. Liverpool are just one point off the top of the table and next week host Arsenal. If they win that they will likely finish the year at the summit, as they face Burnley in their final game of the year.
Despite their lofty position, they flatter to deceive. They just don't look convincing. Against Man U they started with Salah, Diaz and Nuñez in attack. This line up is a million miles from the Salah-Mané-Firmino attack of yester year. Salah has lost a yard, Diaz looks lost following his father's kidnapping and Nuñez doesn't look to be good enough for the Anfield club. It is said that Klopp doesn't like him due to his unwillingness to take the English language seriously, much like fellow South Americans Tevez and Agüero before him. The problem for Nuñez is that he isn't in the same class as those two, so will not be given the free pass they received. Klopp clearly prefers Jota but he is injury prone. Gakpo looks to be a solid player but didn't start against Man U and didn't make much impression when brought on.
Another problem for Liverpool is their reliance on TA-A. If he isn't bang on it then they struggle to create. Against Man U he seemed to be strutting around a little too much for me. Is his brilliance going to his head? There's no doubt they miss Robertson to chip in with the assists, but he isn't due back until January.
Will they sign anybody in January? They need a number 6 and were willing to spunk £100m on Caicedo, so if the money is there they may just go for it. Fulham's Palinha is available. I'm sure Klopp would love to add to the squad as this may be a great season to win it with City struggling. It sure looks like City are not going to run away with it. Klopp may not get a better chance to add to the one he won in 2020. That one was won in empty stadiums and while it does count, everybody involved at Anfield would love to win one in front of their famous fans.
As for United, Anthony, Hojlund and Garnacho looked well off the pace.
They paid nearly £80m each for the first two! Rashford seems too busy saving the world to be bothered by earning his colossal salary. In 90 minutes they hardly threatened. That won't be the case next week when Liverpool face Arsenal. At this fixture last season the Arsenal wheels began to come off. 0-2 up and cruising Xhaka riled up the crowd and the rest is history. Arsenal will be desperate to get the 3 points this time. Liverpool will face a really tough test and maybe we will see Liverpool's true level. It has all the makings of a classic.
Another problem for Liverpool is their reliance on TA-A. If he isn't bang on it then they struggle to create. Against Man U he seemed to be strutting around a little too much for me. Is his brilliance going to his head? There's no doubt they miss Robertson to chip in with the assists, but he isn't due back until January.
Will they sign anybody in January? They need a number 6 and were willing to spunk £100m on Caicedo, so if the money is there they may just go for it. Fulham's Palinha is available. I'm sure Klopp would love to add to the squad as this may be a great season to win it with City struggling. It sure looks like City are not going to run away with it. Klopp may not get a better chance to add to the one he won in 2020. That one was won in empty stadiums and while it does count, everybody involved at Anfield would love to win one in front of their famous fans.
As for United, Anthony, Hojlund and Garnacho looked well off the pace.
They paid nearly £80m each for the first two! Rashford seems too busy saving the world to be bothered by earning his colossal salary. In 90 minutes they hardly threatened. That won't be the case next week when Liverpool face Arsenal. At this fixture last season the Arsenal wheels began to come off. 0-2 up and cruising Xhaka riled up the crowd and the rest is history. Arsenal will be desperate to get the 3 points this time. Liverpool will face a really tough test and maybe we will see Liverpool's true level. It has all the makings of a classic.
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| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports |
Apparently Marcelo Bielsa as manager of Uruguay has found the best way to manage and exploit Nunez. Man Utd turned up as they had to but will this change things for them in the long run? Probably not.
ReplyDeleteI think Nunes is a very exciting player and would hate to see him go. He always seems to pose a threat.
DeleteBarry
DeleteBielsa wasn't fond of learning English either!
AM
Posing a threat isn't scoring a goal. Just 4 this season in the Liverpool attack isn't good enough, though I believe he will still come good eventually.
Anyone else seen how prolific Kane has been since joining Bayern?
ReplyDeleteReds hopefully have a few goals left for the Gunners on Saturday. No win in # 21 Anfield trips for Moyes . If the money was there for Caicedo / Lavia , then why not spend some of it next month ? Diaz has 3 goals all season , Nunez hasn't scored in 11 ! I hate his muzzy # Zorro
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