Diogo Jota‘s purpose helped Liverpool declare their sixth Premier League win underneath Arne Slot, although there have been nonetheless enhancements to be made.
9 wins in 10, six wins in seven Premier League video games, two targets conceded in these seven matches. Nevertheless you wish to body Slot’s begin, robust opposition or not, the Reds have exceeded most followers’ expectations.
What’s nice too, although, is that they haven’t exceeded Slot’s expectations – effectively, no less than he isn’t telling us that anyway.
He’s right here to win and that’s what the Reds are presently doing.
PRO – An excellent first half
Whereas the workforce solely had one purpose to indicate for his or her efforts, the primary half featured arguably a few of Liverpool’s finest soccer to this point this season.
Jota’s strike was a working example as Liverpool produced the definition of ‘slicing by’ the opponent – Kostas Tsimikas‘ completely weighting his go into Cody Gakpo, whose cross was met by Jota’s excellently-timed dart in direction of purpose.
These 45 minutes have been the perfect instance of how Slot desires to assault and dominate sides. The Reds have been affected person across the field and waited for the right time to go into the forwards.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been each very good with the ball at their ft and, as typical, Ryan Gravenberch was very assured at taking the ball on the flip.
PRO – The incomers have been nice
This was the primary league match of the season by which Slot modified the midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Gravenberch.
Curtis Jones began as a substitute of Szoboszlai and slotted in completely, at first doing the job of the Hungarian earlier than transferring to a barely extra attacking position, filling Mac Allister’s sneakers within the second half.
Tsimikas additionally had a strong recreation and whereas he won’t ever be Andy Robertson, the Greek is doing effectively in the intervening time when known as upon.
The principle man to notice, although, must be Gakpo. His kind is solely sensible in the intervening time and appears so sharp each time he will get the ball. Going backward as effectively, he was an amazing asset on Saturday.
It was notable how he stayed on the left wing, with Luis Diaz introduced on to play on the fitting when Mo Salah got here off.
PRO – Virgil van Dijk remains to be the perfect
What left is there to say about Van Dijk?
Nicely, I suppose we may have a pleasant chat about how effectively he has tailored to some barely completely different calls for from Slot.
One of many captain’s finest property has all the time been his lengthy passing which has been a key a part of his build-up play. He’s now additionally passing vertically at each alternative and making it simpler for his midfielders to obtain.
The captain performed extra passes into the ultimate third (10) than anybody else on the pitch in opposition to Crystal Palace.
With Gravenberch able to obtain dealing with his personal purpose, Van Dijk picks out the foot his compatriot desires the ball on and this makes it simpler for the midfielder to open his physique up.
The skipper actually remains to be the perfect on this planet.
CON – Alisson, after all
You in all probability may have guessed this one. With out desirous to be too unfavorable after one other win, it is a blow.
If Liverpool have been competing for the highest 4, we’d be nice. If this damage had occurred a number of weeks in the past, we wouldn’t have been too pressured both.
The issue is that for Liverpool to win the league and even compete, they want each marginal benefit they will get.
With such a troublesome run of fixtures to return, Caoimhin Kelleher will probably be a secure pair of arms, in all probability even higher than secure.
Nevertheless, Alisson is a match winner and that’s what Liverpool will want when they’re grinding out outcomes thrice every week.
CON – Wrap it up earlier, Liverpool
If we’re being choosy, the one different unfavorable from the day was that Liverpool didn’t get the job completed earlier, and it practically value them.
With so many matches, it could be an enormous assist if the Reds may get issues wrapped up within the first 60 minutes so Slot could make his pre-planned modifications with out having the added fear of getting only a one-goal benefit.
Palace ought to have made Liverpool pay on Saturday – Eberechi Eze’s one-on-one miss was a very heart-stopping second for supporters.
In case you are solely up by one purpose, then you must anticipate to face stress in direction of the top of a match. There are video games in a season when you must maintain on, and Liverpool did that effectively this weekend, however protecting these events to a minimal may be very useful in sustaining your power throughout an entire season.
