Get After It Boys
SHIPPING OFF PHILLI
The last couple of weeks have been quite eventful for Reds fans. They got to see their maestro, Coutinho, who was the best thing this squad had since Luis Suarez, finally allowed to be let go to be Suarez’s teammate on Barcelona.
While Liverpool may have an even thicker wallet now, it’s hard to swallow that this beloved club is becoming an alligator’s feeding pit for top talent — and Barca is the top gator.
With Salah surely the successor under his form throughout the season and fans chanting his name at Anfield, it makes you think, what will happen to him after this season or later on? There are others too, like Sadio Mane and Emre Can, who have each been rumored for a big transfer. It seems like only a matter of time before the Spanish giants or some of the other top dogs in Europe come with cash aplenty calling for a player in another Reds jersey.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK
The name just rolls off the tongue and the person behind it resonates as someone and something that has been missing for a while now — defending. He may not be the biggest name out there, but he’s what Liverpool has needed, not only this past summer, but past summers.
The back line on the team sheet recently read: Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson. For the first time in a long time, it caused a natural, comforting sensation.
Nothing is set yet, especially with this team, but having VVD in the squad now, at the very least, is a good start. His shut-down-defensive skills easily topple that of Lovren.
Van Dijk had a great debut, with a headed goal after he could have had the same type of goal once or twice earlier in the game from other set pieces. This aerial strength seems to be dangerous in the opposing box. As for his defending in his own box, it seems to come more natural to him than to some other center backs to play in recent years for LFC. If this first fixture is any indication of the type of player he will be for Liverpool, we’re looking at the real deal.
His hamstring injury is unfortunate and it’s too bad we couldn’t get to see him against Manchester City this weekend. It makes me wonder though, could this hamstring problem be a product of breaking into Klopp’s taxing training camp once he arrived? We saw it before when Klopp came to Liverpool and it seemed like over the course of the first month or two, most of the squad was coming down with muscle injuries.
GAME OF THE SEASON
When Liverpool were touted to play Manchester City this past Sunday, people thought there’s a chance it can be a great fixture and that City are the favorites. Of course no one was very surprised when Liverpool won, besides the fact that City had been undefeated coming into the fixture on Sunday.
Of course, the league trophy is pretty much a lock with the light blue shirts still atop the table with more than a 12-point lead on cross-town rivals, United.
For The Reds though, the points are one of the most valuable that have been picked up all season. Only a week after Coutinho left, Van Dijk getting injured right before the match, and City coming in looking like there was no way they would suffer defeat, getting these three points was enormous.
This is the type of game that isn’t always tailored for the stars, but some of the other players as well. One such player that decided to shine was Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored the first, electrifying goal of the game, and also picked up an assist.
If only we can see this driving energy spread consistently over multiple match days, OC could be a great tool against any defense.
From what I gathered, there were two keys to Liverpool taking this game.
They were unbelievably relentless in closing down the ball — the entire game. It’s no secret that LFC uses this as a main tactic, but the rate and effort they put into it in this match was truly world-class.
Manchester City just did not play well enough for the duration of the ninety minutes. Sure, Liverpool’s attack was hard to deal with, but their back line is not as good. We saw City score a couple goals and nearly came back in the last ten minutes. So there’s no excuse for them not being able to do it throughout the match. Their possession and passing of the ball just wasn’t nearly as fluid as we are used to seeing from The Citizens.
City also has a really difficult time playing at Anfield. I’m sure that played as much of a role as The Red’s great attacking and shut-down style played in them winning the match.
As exciting as this is, don’t be surprised if our Reds turn around and get routed by bottom-of-the-barrel Swansea City next Monday. That’s just the type of club they are sometimes.
Not to mention we have to get through a January transfer window that could prove to be even more costly still, with Can, Mane, and perhaps others headed for the exit.
All things said, enjoy this damn-good win.
Source photo credit: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda Photo | theanfieldwrap.com
