LFC – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Gameweek 1

Despite a resilient Leeds, the Reds team gets what it needs. Salah proves to be a godsend as goals leak at the other end. With continuing speculation, Liverpool remain in a mood of procrastination. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.

The Good

Liverpool starting off this 2020/21 season with a win against newly promoted Leeds United. The hosts took the lead after 4 minutes when Mohamed Salah converted a penalty after the visitors’ Robert Koch was harshly adjudged to have handalled in the area.

Leeds however, had not come to Anfield to enjoy a run-out at the famous old stadium. They equalised three times after Virgil van Dijk had headed Liverpool in front and then Salah put the Reds in front again with a glorious shot. The mercurial Egyptian tucked away a second penalty on 88 minutes to wrap up the three points.

When you score that late, it’s a bit lucky as well…

This was no easy game for Liverpool and Leeds showed that they certainly intend to challenge in the top flight for the first time in many a year. Jürgen Klopp concedes as much when he hinted that his side were perhaps lucky to take all three points.

Still, a win is a win and that’s all that matters in these types of fixtures.

Well played to both teams last night, i was so stressed😂 great result for @LFC, but @LUFC played brilliant, hats off to them!🔴⚽️ #LIVLEE pic.twitter.com/d4UmFCyOOB

— Brooke West ♡ (@BrookeWest5) September 13, 2020

The Bad

The poor defensive showing from Liverpool. Yes it’s the first day of the season and yes, Leeds were a ‘plucky’ opponent. However, a huge part of Leeds’ success yesterday was the slackness of the Reds’ defence.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was turned inside out for for the first goal conceded. Van Dijk was clearly responsible for miss-controlling a hopeful punt up field for the second. The entire defence was static as Leeds struck home their third.

Frankly, without Salah, this would have been a very different result. There was a goal from van Dijk disallowed of course, but in my opinion, Liverpool need to improve.

Mo Salah dedicated his third goal to Egypt teammate Moamen Zakria, an Al-ahly player diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Moamen used to wear No.8 and his trademark celebration was to stick his tongue out and put his hands on his ears. #LIVLEE#LiverpoolFc#LeedsUnited pic.twitter.com/u3X50X5tN0

— Isaac Waihenya (@IsaacWaihenya) September 12, 2020

The Ugly

The main gripe for me this week is simply that Liverpool haven’t got another major signing over the line this transfer window.

There’s a lot of criticism of the club for not doing this. The Thiago Alcantara saga rumbles on. The Ismailia Sarr alleged bid has not materialised. Question marks over the effectiveness of Roberto Firmino remain. Gini Wijnaldum to Barcelona…? Anyone’s guess.

Liverpool – in recent years have never been a club to make signings on the scale Chelsea have. However, after winning the league, one could argue that they need to improve the squad to stay on top.

I do feel though, at the same time Takumi Minamino will play a more significant role as the season goes on. He is a very similar player to Firmino and is slowly improving. Who says that he won’t come into his own at the business end of the season? We never know.

Curtis Jones albeit is no Thiago, does give the midfield that creative spark and it is conceivable that he will play a bigger part as he settles into the first team.

Liverpool do, without doubt, have options which many of the experts are overlooking. Fair play to them. That’s their jobs – to grab the attention and sensationalise. Whilst I’m not overly worried, I would like to see a new (established) face arrive at Liverpool. Perhaps I’d like to see Sarr over Thiago. Simply because the team needs backup in attack, more than it does in midfield so I believe the Spaniard is a bit of a luxury.

Jurgen Klopp: “It's nice that we are linked with Thiago Alcantara, I’ve always said he’s a good player… but unfortunately I can't end speculations". Poker game with Bayern Münich still on – Klopp would love to have Thiago but there’s no agreement yet. 🛑 #LFC #transfers #Thiago

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 11, 2020

Next Up

We have the first stern test of Liverpool’s credentials this season. OK it may well be early days, yet still, if they wish to be taken seriously, Chelsea’s at Stamford Bridge is not a game you want to lose. A great six-pointer so early in the campaign.

While you’re here…

In addition, the latest book from the The Good, The Bad and The Ugly weekly is out now. Relive this historic season. Available for purchase on Amazon, or directly from The LFC File. Click here to secure your copy. Either as an eBook (€5) or as a physical paperback (€8).