No pressing concerns
A perfect response to the disappointment of dropping 5 points in our last two games then, with a resounding 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal.
It was actually quite a drab affair for the opening 30 minutes, with Arsenal packing the midfield, the crowd quietened and our boys struggling for rhythm and a bit of quality in the final third. That all changed however when #1 cheerleader Mikel Arteta spat his dummy out and had a furious confrontation with Klopp, whipping the crowd into a frenzy, which in turn raised the lads on the pitch. It was another demonstration (if any was needed) of how much the fans can affect a game.
Suddenly everything about our game was quicker and sharper but what really did for Arsenal once it clicked was our press. Our pressing game when in full flow is truly a sight to behold as red jerseys swarmed all over Arsenal in their defensive third, winning the ball back countless times and despite the brilliance of Ramsdale on the day, we simply ran right over them and their keeper could only save them for so long. The hours on the training pitch and quality of the sessions it must take to get that pressing machine so well oiled is a testament to Klopp and his staff and they could be forgiven for feeling more than a little satisfied with their efforts, watching the red machine roll right over the top of Arsenal.
Saying all that, Arsenal were the architects of their own downfall with their tactic of constantly trying to play out from the back. I really don’t understand why anybody does that at Anfield, it’s exactly what we want you to do. We absolutely destroyed them with our press and yet they continued with the same tactic over and over. You really have to wonder about managers sometimes. So Arteta not only wakened up the home crowd, he also effectively created the platform for his team to suffer yet another heavy defeat at our hands. It’s not like it hasn’t happened before, we’ve fished out a fair few spankings to Arsenal in the Klopp era, you’d think they’d maybe try a new tactic. Hopefully not though as Klopp could be forgiven for wishing we played them every week. Well done Mikel!
As for our boys though, there were brilliant performances all over the pitch, Mane with his goal and assist, Salah ending his mini ‘drought’, Jota could have had a hat trick if not for Ramsdale and the composure he showed for his goal was unreal. It was his brilliant header that set Mane clear in the build up to Salah’s goal as well.
I liked the look of that midfield, Fabinho and Thiago bring wonderful balance to the team and I mentioned a few weeks back that if there could be a silver lining to our current midfield injury crisis, it could be that Ox will finally get the run of games he’s needed and possibly resurrect his LFC career and that looks to be exactly what’s happening as he put in another very good display both offensively and defensively. I’ve always believed in Ox as a player if he can just stay fit. He brings something different to the table from our other midfielders and I’d love to see him still be a success here.
Trent continues to rewrite the rules on what a RB can achieve with another two assists, taking his tally to 9 in his last 6 games for club and country. Matip’s passing blows me away at times. Some of his through balls and link up play are out of this world and he’s criminally underrated by football as a while out with LFC. He’s never in the conversation when talking about the worlds best CB’s but he absolutely should be. Virgil never got out of second gear and another fine display from Kostas who has proven himself well worth his place in the squad. I think Robbo was left out the squad as a precaution yesterday but I wouldn’t be against letting Kostas play the next couple of games. Robbo needs a break in my opinion.
So it was a must win game after Chelsea’s dismissal of Leicester earlier in the day. I said at the start of the season, whoever finishes above Chelsea will win the league and I still feel like that so it was important not to allow any kind of gap to develop as I suspect they will be a difficult team to hunt down. Keeping it tight means the pressure is always on. We know our boys can handle that pressure over the course of a whole season, let’s see if theirs can.
Anyway that’s it for now troops. Monday morning’s never seem quite so bad after a result like that do they? Walk on!
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