Liverpool v Brentford
Once again Liverpool got off to what was a slow start, but this time it did not take a half-time team talk and tactical tweak for them to improve. The quick break and goal changed the game completely and boosted the Reds up massively. Though there were positive signs before then, with some nice patches of football, but just no finishing touch. Then Jota broke away, played in Diaz and he scored to almost end the game as a contest to be completely honest. While Liverpool could, and should, have scored more, it did feel like they played very much within themselves and could have stepped it up a few gears if needed. It was surprising that they had such a good passing accuracy, when it felt like they were only playing at around 50%, at most, of their potential. It was the controlled performance that had been strived for all last season.
What I liked was how solid the team looked defensively, rather than the shambolic tactics of last season. Brentford struggled to open up Liverpool at all, despite having good width and pace in the side, the threat they offered was almost completely nullified. It must be said though, this new regime is not going to be the gung ho, all-out attack that, at times, characterised the early part of Klopp’s reign, but it is also not going to be the tedious passing for passing’s sake system that it had become in recent years. Instead it is something in between. A more balanced way of playing that offers a lot of potential, if only Slot gets the players he needs.
A very disappointing game for Brentford, who were never able to impose themselves on the game at all. They had just one real chance in the entire match, other than that, the only real threat they carried were from hopeful launched balls into the box from free kicks. Even that threat was pretty much nullified, mostly by an excellent performance by Konate. With no open space to run in behind, either through the centre or down the flanks, and a lack of quality on the ball to build an attack through passing and movement, the Bees looked a very average side. Brentford usually try to unsettle the opposition and break up their rhythm through fouls, time wasting and being extremely physical, but that failed to have any effect on LFC, leaving them with little left. They lack the mobility in midfield to really harrass Liverpool and that is something they really need to look to address. Their midfield consists of tidy ball players who are happy to get stuck in, but none are physically gifted enough to cause real problems. They simply are not big, strong or fast enough to bully the opposition any more, and that is what their gameplan is built on. That midfield needs addressing far more than they need to replace Toney.
Quick notes on the players:
Alisson – a fairly quiet day for the Brazilian, but when it mattered he comes up with an important save. He just makes it so much easier to keep clean sheets with his brilliance. Though it must be pointed out his kicking was not at its best in this match.
Alexander-Arnold – had a really good game, inverted at the right times, held wide when it was needed, defended well and produced some top class passes (as usual). I am not sure why so much is being made of him being unhappy to come off, he was having a really good game, in front of the stand-in England coach as well, there were assists and goals in it for him if he stayed on. It is being blown massively out of proportion, a complete non-story.
Konate – the standout defensive performance, it seemed like he was there to head every ball away, though he should have done better at the other end with his head! Overall, his performance was excellent, defending well and working well with van Dijk. He just needs to stay fit now.
van Dijk – a good performance, it seems to be a good match with Konate, as the pair fit well together as a partnership.
Robertson – a much better overall game for Robertson, who looked much sharper than he did last time out. Clearly just needed to get his match sharpness back. He is not as attacking as he was in the past, but chooses his moments to get forward much better. He is showing a football intelligence and that he knows not just to run forward constantly. It makes his runs much more effective, as he can catch the defence napping.
Gravenberch – excellent again, kept the ball well under pressure, broke up play and used the ball well too. So far he is looking like a player reborn, in a position he actually understands what is being asked of him.
Mac Allister – he is not, currently at least, performing to his best level in the new role. His lack of mobility, particularly compared to Gravenberch, means he is not able to get involved as much when the team is not dominating the game. But, when the team is dominant, he is excelling at producing the creative pass to unpick a defence, as well as being able to keep the ball ticking over nicely to wear out opponents. That is not to say he is not performing well at all times, he is just being overshadowed when the team is on the back foot. There are also times when he tries to make turns like Gravenberch, rather than just laying off the ball quickly, and it is not coming off for him. I think it is fair to say that there is still more to come from him this season, as he is not quite at the levels he showed at times last season.
Szoboszlai – growing into his role, though there is still a lot more to come from him, as we saw in the early days of last season. I would like to see him look to hit a shot or two around the edge of the box to draw out defenders to close him down and open up space for passes in future. His mobility and workrate has been key, especially his willingness to chase back when he makes a mistake.
Diaz – excellent game, always a menace and took his goal well. That kind of finishing is what has been missing from his game in the past, hopefully that is a sign that he has found his shooting boots. He must be horrible to play against, he is such a pest, works so hard harrying and harrassing opposing players when they have the ball, as well as constantly willing to run at them when he has it.
Jota – not his best game, but he contributed an assist. Even when not playing well, he is effecting the game in a positive way. Yes, he is extremely frustrating, he can miss sitters, misplace simple passes under no pressure and barely figure in a game, but he is always liable to produce something. It may be a stumbling run that somehow gets him through a group of players, it may be a goal or it can be a creative pass, but there is always something effective there from him.
Salah – another game, another goal. Salah is looking so sharp this season after his summer break. He is also linking up really well down the right.
Nunez – replaced Jota in the 72nd minute to make his first appearance of the season. Worked hard, but looked a bit rusty, similar to Robertson last week.
Gakpo – also came on in the 72nd minute, taking the place of Diaz on the left. Looked sharp and fired up. He really looks to have the bit between his teeth right now, which is good for the team as any drop off from Diaz or Jota will see them replaced.
Bradley – the third of the triple substitution in the 72nd minute, as Alexander-Arnold came off. Once again he impressed massively with his willing running and attacking intent. He offers a new dimension to the attack, though he lacks that pinpoint passing and crossing of Alexander-Arnold.
Elliott – took Salah’s place in the 83rd minute, to get his first minutes of the new season. Struggled to make an impression on a game that was winding down.
Endo – swapped in for Gravenberch for the final minutes in the 91st minute. With the game over, he was just there to provide a bit more solidity, but he did not have the time to really get involved.
Written by Tris Burke August 28 2024 02:36:41
