Liverpool FC – Gameweek 5 Review
The taking of a prized scalp, the end of long injury lay-offs, and the emergence of a real team. All that and a bit of school-boy stuff. Just another week at the world’s favourite football club, Liverpool FC. All of this and a bit more in this week’s LFC review. The good, the not so bad and the none too shabby.
The Good
Without doubt, this has got to be the win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. It wasn’t just the result that made the occasion what it was. It was the performance. Despite conceding a goal midway through the second half, 80% of the game belonged to the visitors. For long periods in the first half Liverpool dominate their hosts and simply unplayable.
Two goals, one each from Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson were enough. The fact that the goals came from the defensively positioned players confirmed another thing. Jürgen Klopp’s side are turning into a versatile unit. Goals can come from any area of the team. I wouldn’t say this is quite “Total Football”, but it demonstrates a fluidity that has been long missing from a Liverpool side.
Henderson demonstrated that he still remains his attacking touch. At the same time, he is growing into his defensive midfield role with each game. The same can be said of Lovren who is beginning to live up to his not insignificant price tag.
It’s early days of course, but the entire side offered a great indication of the direction the team is heading. For the moment, this seems to be upward.
The Not So Bad
An odd sub-heading. However, as there hasn’t been anything this week that I’d describe as “bad”, we focus instead on the “not so” bad instead. For this we look at the injury situation. With news of the return of Emre Can, Mamadou Sakho and Loris Karius to full training – along with the likes of Sheyi Ojo and Joe Gomez. The injury situation is now not so bad.
The news that Roberto Firmino missed the Chelsea game with a minor “issue” should come as a source of relief for Liverpool supporters. The team played exceptionally well in his absence. I wouldn’t say Firmino is a vital to Liverpool as say, Luis Suarez was but he is still a huge contributor.
Clearly not much on the negative side this week. Perhaps only the behaviour of Daniel Sturridge following his substitution against Chelsea. There doesn’t seem to be much made of this. I was of the impression he was injured when he headed off down the tunnel, but Klopp later confirmed the change was purely technical. Isn’t the norm to take one’s place with the rest of the team and staff in the paddock? If so, then it’s not a good showing from the 27 year-old. It’s about time he began to think about the team before his personal feelings. School-boy stuff.
The None Too Shabby
For me, this has got to be the defeat of the noisy neighbours from the wrong end of the East Lancs Road, Manchester United by Feyenoord. The Europa League 1-0 loss to the Dutch Eredivisie side compounded the home result against Manchester City the previous weekend when they lost 1-2. Team captain Kurt, now 36 said after the game “The club, Feyenoord, belongs in Europe. If you do it on an evening against a top team as Manchester United, that gives a wonderful feeling.” You’re damned right there Dirk, lad!
Overall a good week for the reds. Nothing bad and certainly nothing in the ugly category. This can only bode well. The week ahead brings a trip to the Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday to take on Derby County in the EFL Cup, followed by the visit to the new look Anfield of Hull City.
The above are not exactly what one could call games of legend, however, games they are and thus they should be taken seriously. Derby currently lay 20th in the Championship and Hull mid-table in the Premiership. Both however will pose their own unique set of problems and I’m keen to see how the Reds fare. For me, whether it’s Barcelona or Brentford. Real Madrid or Real Maidstone, I’m not bothered, so long as the team gets the right result. A Win.
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