LFC 21/22 – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Gameweek #1
The Reds get off to a flying start, goals aplenty and looking smart. No VAR delays meant the game bossed, even Man City lost! The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at Liverpool Football Club.
The Good
Getting off to a winning start with a 0-3 away win at newly promoted Norwich City.
Starts for Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip meant a return to business as usual at centre back for Liverpool and Kostas Tsimikas replacing the injured Andy Robertson. Impressive preseasons for Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ensured starting berths for the pair alongside James Milner.
Diogo Jota was chosen to join Mo Salah and Sadio Mané in attack. The Portuguese international opened the scoring midway through the first half. Roberto Firmino entered the fray for Jota after 60 minutes and doubled the visitors lead four minutes later.
Man of the Match Salah was able to add the third with a quality effort from the edge of the box.
THE PERFECT START 😍
𝗨𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗦.#NORLIV pic.twitter.com/9mv23u4pEO— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 14, 2021
The Bad
Frankly nothing to speak of. The entire team put in a good shift. Perhaps, you could have expected more from the Ox but in reality, this is often the case with him. Despite his efforts, I don’t see him displacing any of the regular three going forward. Ox by nickname, and playing like one too on occasion, sadly.
When he was replaced yesterday Fabinho in the 61st minute, the Brazilian‘a influence in the game was clear. Obviously not a like-for-like change but still a huge gulf in effectiveness in their respective positions. A six out of ten versus a clear eight.
#lfc #fsgout
— The Cursed Knight™ (@thecursedknight) August 14, 2021
Like I said Firmino Fabinho subs settled the game.
Problem with Jota Ox was we weren't able to keep possession to allow us to dominate.
Plenty of positives, few areas to improve.
Game 1 – Job done#norliv
The defence played well and Tsimikas was particularly good, considering this is his first Premier League start since joining a year ago. They Alexander-Arnold… simply the best in his position in Europe.
The (Sm)Ugly
Clearly the defeat inflicted on Manchester City by Tottenham. Many would have seen this as a shock result but most, as a welcomed one. The favourites for the title were humbled by Nuno Espírito Santo’s men 1-0. A result which would have pleased many fans let alone Liverpool’s.
FULL-TIME Spurs 1-0 Man City
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 15, 2021
It's a dream start for Nuno Espírito Santo as Son Heung-min’s second half strike helps @SpursOfficial see off Man City in his first #PL win as Spurs boss #TOTMCI pic.twitter.com/Av0LpXY2Ra
In addition, it was noticeable that there were far, far fewer calls to refer to the dreaded VAR. In most of the games there wasn’t any reference to it at all. This is what the game (and VAR) should be all about. More football and less splitting hairs – which VAR seemed to be doing on the majority of occasions it was employed last season.
The change in direction for the @premierleague referees to allow a degree of contact without perpetually giving fouls is so good for the game. It allows it to flow and hugely improves the spectacle. With less interference from VAR too, we might just have our game back. 👏🏻👏🏻
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) August 15, 2021
So overall a great start. Far too early for any predictions or to get carried away. As always says me, after 10 games we’ll see what may, in May be.
Share on:
