Diogo Jota‘s aim helped Liverpool declare their sixth Premier League win underneath Arne Slot, although there have been nonetheless enhancements to be made.
9 wins in 10, six wins in seven Premier League video games, two targets conceded in these seven matches. Nevertheless you need to body Slot’s begin, robust opposition or not, the Reds have exceeded most followers’ expectations.
What’s nice too, although, is that they haven’t exceeded Slot’s expectations – properly, no less than he isn’t telling us that anyway.
He’s right here to win and that’s what the Reds are at present doing.
PRO – An excellent first half
Whereas the workforce solely had one aim to point out for his or her efforts, the primary half featured arguably a few of Liverpool’s finest soccer to date this season.
Jota’s strike was a living proof as Liverpool produced the definition of ‘slicing via’ the opponent – Kostas Tsimikas‘ completely weighting his go into Cody Gakpo, whose cross was met by Jota’s excellently-timed dart in the direction of aim.
These 45 minutes have been one of the best instance of how Slot desires to assault and dominate sides. The Reds have been affected person across the field and waited for the proper time to go into the forwards.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been each excellent with the ball at their ft and, as ordinary, Ryan Gravenberch was very assured at taking the ball on the flip.
PRO – The incomers have been nice
This was the primary league match of the season through which Slot modified the midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Gravenberch.
Curtis Jones began as a substitute of Szoboszlai and slotted in completely, at first doing the job of the Hungarian earlier than shifting to a barely extra attacking position, filling Mac Allister’s footwear within the second half.
Tsimikas additionally had a strong recreation and whereas he won’t ever be Andy Robertson, the Greek is doing properly in the intervening time when known as upon.
The primary man to notice, although, must be Gakpo. His type is just sensible in the intervening time and appears so sharp each time he will get the ball. Going backward as properly, he was an ideal asset on Saturday.
It was notable how he stayed on the left wing, with Luis Diaz introduced on to play on the best when Mo Salah got here off.
PRO – Virgil van Dijk remains to be one of the best
What left is there to say about Van Dijk?
Properly, I suppose we might have a pleasant chat about how properly he has tailored to some barely totally different calls for from Slot.
One of many captain’s finest belongings has all the time been his lengthy passing which has been a key a part of his build-up play. He’s now additionally passing vertically at each alternative and making it simpler for his midfielders to obtain.
The captain performed extra passes into the ultimate third (10) than anybody else on the pitch in opposition to Crystal Palace.
With Gravenberch able to obtain going through his personal aim, Van Dijk picks out the foot his compatriot desires the ball on and this makes it simpler for the midfielder to open his physique up.
The skipper actually remains to be the perfect on this planet.
CON – Alisson, in fact
You most likely might have guessed this one. With out eager to be too unfavorable after one other win, this can be a blow.
If Liverpool have been competing for the highest 4, we might be superb. If this damage had occurred just a few weeks in the past, we wouldn’t have been too pressured both.
The issue is that for Liverpool to win the league and even compete, they want each marginal benefit they will get.
With such a tricky run of fixtures to come back, Caoimhin Kelleher shall be a secure pair of arms, most likely even higher than secure.
Nevertheless, Alisson is a match winner and that’s what Liverpool will want when they’re grinding out outcomes thrice per week.
CON – Wrap it up earlier, Liverpool
If we’re being choosy, the one different unfavorable from the day was that Liverpool didn’t get the job achieved earlier, and it practically price them.
With so many matches, it will be an enormous assist if the Reds might get issues wrapped up within the first 60 minutes so Slot could make his pre-planned adjustments with out having the added fear of getting only a one-goal benefit.
Palace ought to have made Liverpool pay on Saturday – Eberechi Eze’s one-on-one miss was a very heart-stopping second for supporters.
If you’re solely up by one aim, then you must anticipate to face stress in the direction of the tip of a match. There are video games in a season when you must maintain on, and Liverpool did that properly this weekend, however preserving these events to a minimal could be very useful in sustaining your power throughout a complete season.
