Liverpool won’t even make the Top-6 if they continue playing like this. Liverpool have lost for the first time in over 18 months at Anfield as struggling Leeds United ran away with a 2-1 last-minute victory.
This is the worst I’ve seen Liverpool play since Jurgen Klopp was hired as manager almost seven years ago. Nothing he’s done or said to this team has been able to break their early season slump, which can only mean that this poor form is here to stay. Or, better yet, this ‘slump’ is no slump at all but rather a serious decline of the once Champions League and Premier League winning side from only 6 months ago.
I don’t know how else to explain what has happened to Liverpool.
As for this game, it was pretty much more of the same from Liverpool that we saw against Nottingham Forest. Again, Liverpool dominated possession (69%-31%), they had nearly double the number of shots over Leeds (22-14), they had more than double the number of passes (672-301), they had a far better passing accuracy (81% vs. 67%), and they had an overwhelming number of corners (14 vs. 4).
Yet, just like against Forest and nearly every other team they have played this season, all of the great stats counted for nothing as they failed to be clinical again. Aside from a great Salah volley that nestled in the bottom corner to bring the game level at 1, Liverpool missed all of their chances.
And, yes, I know that sounds obvious as they only scored one goal, but they missed really easy chances.
I mean, Darwin Nunez missed TWO one vs. ones alone, while there were numerous other ‘A+’ chances that were ruined with either a poor cross or a poor pass.
Without Sadio Mane (who left for Bayern Munich) or Luis Diaz (who is injured), this Liverpool attack has become toothless. Nunez couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn with the ball, Firmino needs to link up with more potent finishers to be effective, and Mo Salah has been a shadow of himself (despite scoring today).
Though, Liverpool’s offensive woes could be excused if their defense was able to shut out the Leeds attack. But, obviously, they weren’t.
Truthfully, this Liverpool defense needs to be completely blown up and rebuilt again, which includes players like Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and even Virgil Van Dijk to be either phased out or sold all together. Joe Gomez (who shouldn’t ever play in a Liverpool jersey again as the guy is a walking turnover) and Van Dijk were both responsible for the first Leeds goal as they switched off and allowed Rodrigo to get in behind and tuck the ball into an empty net.
As for the game winning goal, Van Dijk was caught sleeping again. He allowed the ball to pass him, even though he could have easily of intercepted it as it crossed the box, and then he wasn’t fast enough to close down Crysencio Summerville as he toe-poked the ball past Alisson to send Leeds up 2-1 in the 90th minute.
The once cool, calm, and composed Virgil Van Dijk has turned into a scared, passive, and slow lumbering log that can’t get across the field fast enough to stop counterattacks in their tracks as he once could. Unless Van Dijk can recover his form from six months ago immediately, I don’t see how he’s not replaced with someone a little quicker either this summer or next summer.
Anyway, Leeds United and Jesse March can take a huge sigh of relief now as they have finally stopped their 8-game winless streak and picked up a huge three points at Anfield. Sure, Jesse March and his Leeds side will probably still be fighting from relegation this season, but this win will do that team’s confidence a world of good. Oh, and Summerville looks to be a great player in the making.
At only 20 years old (his birthday is tomorrow) and to score a game winning goal against Liverpool at Anfield is a fantastic achievement for such a young player.
What’s not such a fantastic achievement is that Liverpool is now in 9th place on 16 points, which puts them 8 points behind 4th place Newcastle (24pts) having played a game MORE. And, with Manchester United sitting on 20 points and two games in hand on Liverpool, it is feasible to see them jump into 4th position with 26 points.
Or, maybe 5th place Chelsea, who sit on 21 points and have played a game less than Liverpool, could take that place from Newcastle.
Nonetheless, however you look at it, Liverpool will have to have a miracle after the World Cup in January to even stay in reaching distance of the Top-4. Who would have predictated that coming into this season?
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