LFC 22/23 – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Gameweek #7
Disappointment galore after another draw. A midweek win affords the fans a grin. Defenders plight just shows someone is right. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The last week reviewed at Liverpool FC.
The Good
Defeating Glasgow Rangers 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. A Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick after seven minutes was a firm answer to his growing number of critics in recent months, and set the hosts on their way to a comfortable victory.
Goals from @TrentAA and @MoSalah earn us victory against Rangers 👌#LIVRAN | #UCL pic.twitter.com/gdwkb7EqfD
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 4, 2022
Despite the clear difference in quality between the two sides and the greatly improved performance from record signing Darwin Núñez, it took a 53rd minute penalty from Mo Salah to finally seal the points. Liverpool are now second in Group A behind Napoli at the half way stage.
The Bad
Had to be the result against was Brighton but Hove Albion at the weekend. The 3-3 scoreline done sweet little for the Reds’ title ambitions. Instead it rather underlined how far away they are from challenging this season.
Not only did the team go 2-0 down, they threw away a hard-earned lead, a Roberto Firmino brace and a second half own goal from Adam Webster put Liverpool in the driving seat for the three points.
“Throwing it away and it being 3-3 is not a nice story. For sure that is what Brighton deserved. We had moments, but we didn’t play a particularly good game”
If the home side thought they’d done enough, how wrong they were. Leandro Trossard was on hand to grab a Hattrick and secure a point for the travelling Seagulls.
FULL-TIME Liverpool 3-3 Brighton
A terrific Leandro Trossard hat-trick sees the points shared in a thrilling encounter at Anfield in Roberto De Zerbi's first match in charge at Brighton#LIVBHA pic.twitter.com/Tbkuse6Gte
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 1, 2022
“We had moments but we didn’t play a particularly good game” lamented Jürgen Klopp after the game. The challenge for the manager now is to instil some much-needed confidence, let alone bite back into his faltering players.
The Ugly
The current lack of form from the team which is typified by Alexander-Arnold’s woes. The 23 year-old had endured a terrible start to the season. One which has seen him dropped by England manager Gareth Southgate as a result.
To be fair both Reece James or Kieren Trippier make more capable and disciplined alternatives right now.
The fact is – something many Liverpool fans seem to overlook is that young Trent is simply a liability. Should England face the likes of France, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Argentina… the list goes on…, can England really afford the luxury of Trent in that position? Or not being in that position as is often the case.
In fairness, he’s not the only culprit in this Liverpool side. The midfield is either ageing, injured or both and needs some investment. In addition, Virgil van Dijk is also not without criticism. For me, Joel Matip had been the stand-out performer in the Reds’ defence this season.
That’s fine, but with an in-form van Dijk, Liverpool would be likely another six points better off had their defensive frailties not been there for three of the four draws they’ve racked up so far this campaign.
Let’s look forward. A fundamental change to the current approach is required.
While You’re Here
The fourth and latest edition of the, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: 2nd – And The Cup Double, is now available on Amazon as an eBook (€5), paperback (€11.99) and on Apple Books (eBook €5).
Secure your copy now!
YNWA
