Where do we go from here: Chapter II
Following on from my article after Fulham, where does last night’s performance leave us moving forward?
Defence
For a while now, many of us have been calling for Klopp to abandon the midfielders in defence and get two natural CB’s playing, regardless of inexperience and get our best midfielders back in midfield. We saw that last night and I have to say, neither Phillips or Kabak put a foot wrong. Phillips in particular was immense on the night, brave, powerful and keeps it simple. For me, this is our defensive partnership moving forward until such time as Virgil, Gomez or Matip are fit again.
Midfield
Just to further back up the point about playing players in their natural positions, Fabinho being introduced into midfield changed the whole dynamic of the team we’ve seen in recent weeks. The physical presence and defensive shield he provides is well documented but I think an underrated side of his game is his forward passing. He’s excellent at receiving the ball in tight spaces but he also always looks to pass forward and launch attacks, something that’s been badly lacking recently. His introduction also removed the shackles from Thiago, allowing him to demonstrate his superb passing range, none more so than the karate kick pass he played for Salah, which he really should have scored from. I’ve been saying for weeks, judge Thiago when he’s playing beside the midfielders he was signed to play alongside and last night showed exactly what he can bring to this side.
Continuing from the last article where I spoke about playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, I’d love to see Fab and Thiago as the two sixes, behind our usual front three and Jota.
Attack
Ok so we missed an absolute hatful of chances but the confidence levels of our forwards are at an all time low and when that happens, they start snatching at chances. Jota could have had a hat trick and both Mane and Salah should have had more than the one goal they both registered but better finishing will come with an increase in confidence.
I have to say, the front three were a lot more dynamic without Bobby, Jota’s additional pace and dribbling ability adds another dimension to our attack, especially on counter attacks, which prior to last night we seemed to have forgotten how to do.
Mane’s form is still a concern though. He scored last night which will hopefully help his confidence but he badly struggled throughout the game. Jota’s return at least allows us to rotate however and if Mane needs a rest, at least we can afford him that now.
To summarise then, they weren’t the feared attackers of recent seasons last night but there were definitely green shoots of recovery.
Moving forward
This one is simple. More of the same please. Now I understand the way Leipzig played over the two legs suited us down to the ground but our pressing was like night and day to what it has been in recent weeks and our passing much quicker and more incisive. Had we put a similar performance level in against Fulham and the other relegation fodder we’ve lost to this season, I doubt we’d have lost these games.
It will be very interesting to see what our performance against Wolves is like on the back of last night’s result. This will be a better barometer for how the rest of our season will go – Are we just going all in for the Champions League and disregarding our league position or will last night genuinely be a springboard for a strong finish to the season?
Whatever happens, injury permitting Fabinho has to stay in midfield now and Nat Phillips has all but made himself undroppable. Likewise Jota has to be given a run in the team now in my opinion. We just look more dangerous when he’s on the pitch and he gives our attack an element of the unknown, which has been sorely lacking since his injury.
Well folks that’s my take on things. The ratings shall return after my standby week finishes but for the meantime you’ll need to make do with my lunch break car park articles. Walk on!!
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