LFC 20/21 – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Gameweek 8
A draw with City, was never going to be pretty. There is still a winning drive, hitting Atalanta for five. The injury list continues to grow, now with Mo joining Joe. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.
The Good
Liverpool are sitting pretty on top of Champions League Group D after an impressive 0-5 demolition of Atalanta. Last season’s surprise package were emphatically reminded of the level required if they wish to emulate their heroics of last term.
A hat-trick and the match ball for new signing Diogo Jota served to underline the gulf in quality between the two sides, not to mention the impact the young Portuguese forward is having since his arrival in the summer transfer window.
Youngster Rhys Williams partnered Joe Gomez in the centre of defence in the absence of Fabinho and showed the future of the club is looking just as strong as the present with a tidy and mature display.
Mo Salah and Sadio Mané were the other two scorers for the Reds who secured their third win and clean sheet so far in this season’s competition.
Should the Reds maintain this impressive form, only the current growing injury list (see The Ugly) can stop Jürgen Klopp’s men having a say on where the title will end up this season.
A magnificent night for our #ATALIV Man of the Match, @DiogoJota18 👏
Well in, Diogo! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/HsrEGlVzZ6
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 3, 2020
The Bad
Not exactly the end of the world in truth but the Bad tag this week goes to Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad.
Liverpool took the lead with a first half penalty but then struggled to keep up with their hosts who are in no mood to play also-rans in this fixture.
Kevin de Bruyne missed a spot kick after the Cityzens were awarded the most ridiculous of penalties, when the ball hit Joe Gomez’s arm as he tumbled over in the box. A decision so mysterious, Arthur C. Clarke would have done good to match. Diabolical doesn’t even come close.
In truth Liverpool were, or should have been, glad for the point. City finished the stronger of the two sides in a game where they put their mid-table form behind them and went for broke.
We leave Manchester with a point.#MCILIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 8, 2020
The Ugly
The growing injury list at Liverpool. As if it was bad enough losing Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho in defence, the Reds are now having to go without Trent Alexander-Arnold following his withdrawal against City.
At the time of writing, it further transpired that Gomez is now among them having come to grief on international duty. As things stand Liverpool have only Joel Matip available as centre half. Given his injury record, it won’t be long before he is also out.
And when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, news also broke that Salah has tested positive for Covid-19 since attending his brother’s wedding. That now makes seven first team players out injured.
It is suggested that Salah, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara could be back as early as 21st November. However with Salah’s diagnosis coming on Friday a two-week self-isolation period should take him more toward the end of the month.
Far from a satisfactory state of affairs. Having said that, I am more than confident Klopp and his team will find solutions.
The Liverpool manager and City counterpart Pep Guardiola were very vocal regarding the five-substitute rule which has not been extended in the Premier League. A discussion for another day perhaps, but for now save to say it’s utterly rediculous.
Can #LFC retain their Premier League title despite a catalogue of injuries across the squad? 🏆
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 12, 2020
Next Up
We have the visits of both Leicester City and Atalanta to Anfield on Sunday the 22nd and Wednesday 25th November respectively.
While you’re here…
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).
