It was certainly not the most pretty of matches for Liverpool, but three points is three points. Liverpool extend their winning record as they have now won four matches on the bounce to start the league season and enter the international break in great position before a chaotic stretch following the break. There were bits of quality by the Reds, but it was overall a bit of a messy affair. Even without the side clicking into motion though, it's always nice to see the Reds in winning form.
What Happened:
The Reds started the match off very well, dominating the early stages with good possession and an early chance from Roberto Firmino which was saved by Kasper Schmeichel, and the follow-up by Mo Salah going just wide. Still, it was just a matter of time before Liverpool scored, and they found the breakthrough through Sadio Mane in the tenth minute. It was the run by Andy Robertson as he ran through Ricardo Pereira, continued his run, then slotted it over to Mane who finished his chance authoritatively with a left foot. The Reds continued to do well following the goal, but it was a Gini Wijnaldum giveaway who allowed Leicester to get forward and see a hard and low shot from Demarai Gray saved.
The shot from Gray in the 23rd minute was a serious turning point for the rest of the match. Still, Leicester could not capitalize on any opportunity in the first half, and at the death, Liverpool doubled their lead. Salah had a nice effort pushed away by Schmeichel for a corner, which the first was headed clear for a second corner. This second corner, though, was the charm and James Milner's cross found Firmino's head for goal number two. It was the fifth goal of the season that Liverpool have scored within the last five minutes of the half, four of those coming in the last minute or in stoppage time. It was a comfortable lead at the half, up 2-0. But things would get much less comfortable.
Leicester sprung out of the break with their tails up and were ready to try and pounce. James Maddison had a decent effort saved easily by Alisson, but in the 53rd, he seemed sure to score. Joe Gomez, though, had a goal-saving sliding challenge that shocked fans. It was vital to the side for him to make that tackle, and he did so incredibly. Still, Leicester would find their way back into the game just ten minutes after, with a moment everyone has discussed. Virgil van Dijk's back pass to Alisson was not the greatest, but it was able to find him. Instead of immediately going long, however, Alisson tried to play with it a bit too much in front of Kelechi Iheanacho. The Nigerian striker pounced, tackling Alisson cleanly then sliding through to Maddison, who moved it along to Rachid Ghezzal for the open net goal.
Lucky for Liverpool, and Alisson, this was the worst mistake of the match. Leicester continued to dominate the ball, frustrating the Reds by not allowing them much possession. Ultimately, it would be for naught as no clear cut chances like those that the Foxes had previously manifested themselves, and Liverpool were delighted to hear the final whistle sound keeping their perfect start in place.
How Did This Happen:
This was perhaps the ugliest of the Liverpool matches this season, a sentence that has been said the past three matches in a row. Liverpool are winning very ugly at the moment, but five one-goal wins are better than one five-goal win, as Jurgen Klopp said prior to this season. It was the first match of the season that Liverpool lost the possession battle and notably the first that saw Liverpool concede. The two goals were of great quality though for Klopp's men, and there were certainly plenty of positives for this Liverpool side to build off of.
The biggest positive certainly had to be Joe Gomez. Gomez was the shining star of what was another strong defensive outing for the Reds. Van Dijk was a touch off today, but the fact that I say that and yet he won five aerial duels and made eleven clearances says something about the big man in the Liverpool defense that his quality is outstanding. But outside of Gomez's wonder-tackle, he was so solid all the way around. His positioning was superb and his passing range from back is so good as well and combined with he and van Dijk, you have two exceptional passers from the center back position. He has made the right center back spot his own while Dejan Lovren gets fit from injury and the World Cup, and he has almost made himself too good to drop. He's quick, strong, composed, and just 21-years-old. No longer is he a prospect for the future but rather one to keep a watch on now.
We do have to talk about the bad, though. Alisson's mistake was unacceptable, but he seems to know it. He got away with it against Brighton and Glenn Murray, but he was made to pay with Kelechi Iheanacho picking his pocket. It was good that a mistake of this caliber happened in a match where Liverpool still held on, and Alisson did still make four saves, including a good one on Demarai Gray. It's a huge learning experience that took an error leading to a goal to learn. That is how he plays, though, and now he will learn that some situations require just a kick deep. Also on the lower end of the player rating spectrum was Gini Wijnaldum, who made the start with Jordan Henderson in for Naby Keita. Wijnaldum's giveaway in the first half gave Leicester a confidence boost and really spurred on the rest of the match. After some incredible efforts in the first three games, he had a rough outing with the Reds. His form can occasionally come and go, but he has been solid for a while now. This is just one match, but with the midfield competition so tough, it could be the slip in form a player like Fabinho needs to see a squad place after international duty.
As usual, I'd like to look at Leicester's tactics as well, because they set up interestingly, but some things worked. For starters, it was Demarai Gray who got the start at striker. It was interesting, but did not really work for the Foxes. Gray never really troubled the Reds defense outside of one solid chance. James Maddison has been very good as a CAM for Puel's side and that continued with a game-high five shots for the bright midfielder. The key to the game for Leicester was their midfield presence. Nampalys Mendy and Wilfred Ndidi were outstanding with six combined tackles and they would not let Liverpool get a foothold in the game in the second half. Leicester did well pressing forward forcing players in red to be dispossessed of the ball within just two or three passes on several occasions. Often times we saw Liverpool men clear the ball straight to a blue kit to clear it to no one in particular. Of all the sides Liverpool have played this season, I think Leicester were most impressive. Their whole side was not wholly brilliant, but as a team they played well.
Final Thoughts and What's Next:
People will be disappointed with the result, but the international break has come at the best possible time for the Reds. Four straight wins to kick off the season before a nice rest ahead of a chaotic 22 day span including visits to Tottenham and Chelsea in the league and Napoli in the Champions League alongside hosting Manchester City in the league and PSG in Champions League. Liverpool's next match is September 15th against Tottenham at 7:30 AM EST. It is a huge month for fans of Liverpool, the hope is that the players will be up for the task.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, including live Tweets during the matches, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
What Happened:
The Reds started the match off very well, dominating the early stages with good possession and an early chance from Roberto Firmino which was saved by Kasper Schmeichel, and the follow-up by Mo Salah going just wide. Still, it was just a matter of time before Liverpool scored, and they found the breakthrough through Sadio Mane in the tenth minute. It was the run by Andy Robertson as he ran through Ricardo Pereira, continued his run, then slotted it over to Mane who finished his chance authoritatively with a left foot. The Reds continued to do well following the goal, but it was a Gini Wijnaldum giveaway who allowed Leicester to get forward and see a hard and low shot from Demarai Gray saved.
The shot from Gray in the 23rd minute was a serious turning point for the rest of the match. Still, Leicester could not capitalize on any opportunity in the first half, and at the death, Liverpool doubled their lead. Salah had a nice effort pushed away by Schmeichel for a corner, which the first was headed clear for a second corner. This second corner, though, was the charm and James Milner's cross found Firmino's head for goal number two. It was the fifth goal of the season that Liverpool have scored within the last five minutes of the half, four of those coming in the last minute or in stoppage time. It was a comfortable lead at the half, up 2-0. But things would get much less comfortable.
Leicester sprung out of the break with their tails up and were ready to try and pounce. James Maddison had a decent effort saved easily by Alisson, but in the 53rd, he seemed sure to score. Joe Gomez, though, had a goal-saving sliding challenge that shocked fans. It was vital to the side for him to make that tackle, and he did so incredibly. Still, Leicester would find their way back into the game just ten minutes after, with a moment everyone has discussed. Virgil van Dijk's back pass to Alisson was not the greatest, but it was able to find him. Instead of immediately going long, however, Alisson tried to play with it a bit too much in front of Kelechi Iheanacho. The Nigerian striker pounced, tackling Alisson cleanly then sliding through to Maddison, who moved it along to Rachid Ghezzal for the open net goal.
Lucky for Liverpool, and Alisson, this was the worst mistake of the match. Leicester continued to dominate the ball, frustrating the Reds by not allowing them much possession. Ultimately, it would be for naught as no clear cut chances like those that the Foxes had previously manifested themselves, and Liverpool were delighted to hear the final whistle sound keeping their perfect start in place.
How Did This Happen:
This was perhaps the ugliest of the Liverpool matches this season, a sentence that has been said the past three matches in a row. Liverpool are winning very ugly at the moment, but five one-goal wins are better than one five-goal win, as Jurgen Klopp said prior to this season. It was the first match of the season that Liverpool lost the possession battle and notably the first that saw Liverpool concede. The two goals were of great quality though for Klopp's men, and there were certainly plenty of positives for this Liverpool side to build off of.
The biggest positive certainly had to be Joe Gomez. Gomez was the shining star of what was another strong defensive outing for the Reds. Van Dijk was a touch off today, but the fact that I say that and yet he won five aerial duels and made eleven clearances says something about the big man in the Liverpool defense that his quality is outstanding. But outside of Gomez's wonder-tackle, he was so solid all the way around. His positioning was superb and his passing range from back is so good as well and combined with he and van Dijk, you have two exceptional passers from the center back position. He has made the right center back spot his own while Dejan Lovren gets fit from injury and the World Cup, and he has almost made himself too good to drop. He's quick, strong, composed, and just 21-years-old. No longer is he a prospect for the future but rather one to keep a watch on now.
We do have to talk about the bad, though. Alisson's mistake was unacceptable, but he seems to know it. He got away with it against Brighton and Glenn Murray, but he was made to pay with Kelechi Iheanacho picking his pocket. It was good that a mistake of this caliber happened in a match where Liverpool still held on, and Alisson did still make four saves, including a good one on Demarai Gray. It's a huge learning experience that took an error leading to a goal to learn. That is how he plays, though, and now he will learn that some situations require just a kick deep. Also on the lower end of the player rating spectrum was Gini Wijnaldum, who made the start with Jordan Henderson in for Naby Keita. Wijnaldum's giveaway in the first half gave Leicester a confidence boost and really spurred on the rest of the match. After some incredible efforts in the first three games, he had a rough outing with the Reds. His form can occasionally come and go, but he has been solid for a while now. This is just one match, but with the midfield competition so tough, it could be the slip in form a player like Fabinho needs to see a squad place after international duty.
As usual, I'd like to look at Leicester's tactics as well, because they set up interestingly, but some things worked. For starters, it was Demarai Gray who got the start at striker. It was interesting, but did not really work for the Foxes. Gray never really troubled the Reds defense outside of one solid chance. James Maddison has been very good as a CAM for Puel's side and that continued with a game-high five shots for the bright midfielder. The key to the game for Leicester was their midfield presence. Nampalys Mendy and Wilfred Ndidi were outstanding with six combined tackles and they would not let Liverpool get a foothold in the game in the second half. Leicester did well pressing forward forcing players in red to be dispossessed of the ball within just two or three passes on several occasions. Often times we saw Liverpool men clear the ball straight to a blue kit to clear it to no one in particular. Of all the sides Liverpool have played this season, I think Leicester were most impressive. Their whole side was not wholly brilliant, but as a team they played well.
Final Thoughts and What's Next:
People will be disappointed with the result, but the international break has come at the best possible time for the Reds. Four straight wins to kick off the season before a nice rest ahead of a chaotic 22 day span including visits to Tottenham and Chelsea in the league and Napoli in the Champions League alongside hosting Manchester City in the league and PSG in Champions League. Liverpool's next match is September 15th against Tottenham at 7:30 AM EST. It is a huge month for fans of Liverpool, the hope is that the players will be up for the task.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, including live Tweets during the matches, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
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