Player ratings: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Horrible display, horrible result. For those who’s glass is half full about last night, probably best to look away now.
Alisson (4) – Even the normally ever reliable Alisson would be appear not to be immune to whatever is wrong with the team at the moment. Complete lack of concentration when playing out from the back, gifted Arsenal their second goal, with only their second shot. Didn’t cover himself in glory with the attempted save either. Poor.
TAA (5) – Struggled to get involved, crossing poor all evening as well. Did play one absolutely sumptuous long diagonal to Robbo with the outside of his right foot. That was the highlight of his night however.
Gomez (6.5) – Actually a decent enough display from Joe. Faultless for both goals, brought the ball out from the back well and showed some nice passing throughout.
Van Dijk (4) – Wtf was that Virgil? The biggest, strongest guy in the league was unbelievably easily dispossessed for Arsenal’s first and then looking desperately to the ref for a free kick. Poor. Needs to have a word with himself as there’s been a couple of suspect performances recently.
Robertson (8) – Comfortably our best player on the night. Pretty much single handedly created Mane’s goal and completely dominated Arsenal’s right side, as all our attacks went through him, especially first half. Nothing he could have done about the goals and he and Mane were the only players on the pitch that showed the right attitude last night. McMOTM for the second consecutive game.
Fabinho (6) – Started well enough and did well to prevent Arsenal having any genuine attacks until they finally fathomed a chance for themselves in stoppage time, when both our CB’s and defensive midfielder got dragged out to the right flank, leaving a gaping hole in the centre that Arsenal really should have scored from. That really can’t happen. Again, concentration levels from the team not good enough.
Wijnaldum (5) – Fairly anonymous and what he did do, both passing and shooting was low on quality. Certainly made a case for a signing in the Thiago Alcantara mould.
Ox (6) – Put the effort in but struggled to influence the game. One decent run and cross towards the end of his time on the pitch but not doing enough in games at the minute.
Salah (5) – Unusually for Salah, didn’t find himself in too many scoring opportunities but two stood out for me. One where he collected the ball in the box but by the time he’d controlled the ball, he’d been closed down by two Arsenal defenders and it was clear the chance had gone but instead of squaring to Firmino or Mane in space, he predictably just kicked the ball off the defenders legs. The other chance was as tame an effort as you’ll see from a free, point blank header.
Firmino (5) – Contributing nothing except pressing at the moment. Almost got his reward for that when he pressed the keeper into kicking the ball off him but typically, it hit the post. Serious improvement required from Bobby next season. Despite our impressive form over the season, he’s been a passenger in way too many games and definitely needs to chip in with more goals.
Mane (7) – Once again, the only one of our attackers who looked like he might make something happen and was rewarded with a goal. Needed more support from his strike partners last night but a decent display from Sadio, who along with Robbo caused Arsenal problems all night.
Subs:
Keita (6) – Midfield passing improved when he came on but unable to fathom any clear chances.
Minamino (6) – No faulting his attitude and was unlucky with a shot he dragged wide. Nothing is really coming off for Minamino at the moment but I still have faith there’s a player in there. Just needs something to break for him as he looks short of confidence.
Origi (N/A) – Did he get a touch?
Shaqiri (N/A) – Still potato shaped.
Klopp-watch (6) – Looked as baffled by the display on the touch line, as we were watching at home. I expected a reaction after halftime but it was just more of the same. He must still be wondering how we lost 2-1 to a team that only created one chance all game.
Summary:
Ok, I know the league’s already over and blah blah. All the cliches are coming out – they’re already on the beach etc. and any other season, I would be taking that attitude as well, on the basis they’ll all go on holiday and clear their heads, report back for preseason for a month and Klopp will whip them back into shape, ready for the beginning of next season.
This isn’t any other season though and there isn’t going to be a close season of any note. Two weeks if they’re lucky and our form is setting a worrying trend. We huff and puff but can’t put a game to bed. We had twenty four shots last night and scored once. If this was an anomaly, you’d chalk it up to ‘one of those games’ but it’s not an anomaly.
In truth, we’ve had a number of these performances this season, where we’ve had the luck to scrape a 1-0 or 2-1. Our luck has deserted us since the restart however and now these displays are coming back to bite us.
I’m also concerned that given the players know there isn’t going to be any transfer activity this summer, nobody is playing for their place. Nobody feels under threat and I worry we’re going to suffer next season for not refreshing the squad at all over the past couple of years.
Hopefully I’m wrong and it really is just a case that with the league done and dusted, they’ve subconsciously dropped their levels a touch. One thing that’s never been questioned with this team before is attitude, which is what concerns me. If we’re honest, we’re not as good a football team as City but our relentlessness is what’s done for them this season. We can’t let that slip, as they’ll come back stronger next season.
Anyway, we have a week to mull over that performance (can you tell I’m still angry?) before Chelsea come to town. The trophy presentation is directly after the game, so hopefully that will give them the inspiration to put in the kind of performance we know they’re capable of. Until then, I hope Klopp gives them hell in training this week. Walk on.
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