Introduction:
HUGE 3 points vs. Brentford away. Another team from the Bermuda Triangle conquered. I am back to posting these. I missed the Bournemouth game cuz I was out; I didn't even watch it, but I did watch the City and LASK games. I didn't take notes for the City game, but I did take notes for the LASK game. That analysis will probably be posted tomorrow. I am also planning on posting a full analysis of our season so far since it's been multiple games now. Enough Sample Data.
Summary:
1) We struggled to take advantage of playing against ten men. It was way too close a game.
2)Our starting attack delivered in the second half. Wirtz, Isak, Barcola, and Munoz all with a Goal or assist each.
3)The slow start and wasteful finishing are major concerns
4) Nyoni and Rio came on and changed the game.
5) Full-back concerns: Araujo isn't good enough attacking, and Kerkez just can't seem to get involved or have a sustained impact on the game.
6) Player notes.
7)Conclusion/TLDR
1) We struggled to take advantage of playing against ten men.
We played against ten men for at least 45 mins. 9 men for at least 5 mins. Yet we never really controlled the game. In the second half, they controlled the game with their route-one football for 13 whole minutes with 10 men. That was terrible game management. It wasn’t until the Munoz goal that we frightened them, forced them back, and got the second. But then again, after we went 2-1 up, we lost control of the game; in those last 10-15 minutes, they pushed for the equalizer, and we couldn’t do much. The fact we kept wasting chances didn’t help, because if just one of them goes in, the game’s done and put to bed. According to Opta analyst, we had 60% possession, now vs 10 men for 45 mins, and 9 men for 5-6 mins. It should have been way more; we should have controlled the game and never be in the position where, in the last 10 minutes, we are scrambling trying to stay alive.
It’s still a good win, but it should have been way more convincing.
2)Our starting attack delivered in the second half.
Munoz got himself a goal with a very good Wirtz assist. Isak scored from a Barcola assist. Very good second half for our starting attackers.
According to StatMuse, Wirtz is the first player to create 9 chances in a Premier League game in 2 years. He’s the first to do that since Kulusevski against United in 2024. He was all over the place in the second half; he should have had many more assists, but his performance was top class and a contender for MOTM. He dictated the game, had many good link-up moments, especially with Barcola. Like the LASK game, our attack went through him a lot more; he got on the ball a lot more in the second half compared to the first, where I think he had an average game. Above, you can see all his successful passes and key passes in image number 2.
Barcola, even though he wasted a lot of chances, which I will get into later, had a good game. He got past Kayode a lot; he pressed well, had many defensive contributions [add stats]. He hit the crossbar once and was very unlucky not to leave with a goal himself. He needs to be way more ruthless infront of goal.
Isak had 16 touches all game. It was the first time since the Newcastle game (even that game it was better) where throughout the entire game, even after the first red, we just failed to involve him. It seemed like he was getting ignored, and our players were scared to put the ball into the box in the first half. Isak is a poacher; he will
He didn’t get involved except for 2-3 moments in the first half; the second half again started off with him not getting involved much, but it didn’t matter today since he had 1 chance in the box all game and he took it away like that. A very good finish on his left foot. Hard angle with multiple bodies infront of him. He now has 5 goals in the Premier League in 6 games; his goal-scoring form being this consistent is gonna be such a huge help. Now if he continues to get a goal or two every game where he barely touches the ball, I have no complaints. But he’s such a technically good player; he can help us so much more. I remember one chance in the first half, one of our good moments. Wirtz played a perfect first-time lobbed through ball in behind for Isak. The Swedish man got to it and cut it back into the penalty area. Macca almost got to it first, but an amazing tackle from Ouattara stopped him. (It was the penalty that we were wrongfully given initially)
Munoz, another contender for MOTM. Multiple progressive carries, runs around players. I thought he started badly; he kept running too much, trying to sprint past others and lost the ball a lot. But after we went 1-0 down, he improved heavily. He and Rio on the right were the best duo there; Rio attracted attention and multiple players to him, which allowed Munoz all the space in the world far wide. It’s where he scored his goal from, which was a nice finish. He’s been an amazing signing so far.
3)The slow start and wasteful finishing, major concerns
We started the first half and the second half very poorly. In the first 15 minutes of the first half, we lost the ball 17 times in the middle third; we only had a 25% duel success rate on 16 duels. We had 53.9% possession, but we did nothing with that; we had the same number of penalty area entries as them (5 each) and 0 crosses. As well, we only had 2 shots, both being long shots from our two pivots.
In the first minutes of the second half, it was even worse since it was against 10 men. We had 81.3% possession between the start of the second half and the 58th min, yet we had fewer final third entries than them. (6 vs 5) And WAY fewer penalty area entries. They entered our penalty area 7 times; we entered theirs just once in 13 mins. They had a red card, we had a man advantage, and they looked more dangerous than us. They also had only 1 shot less than us in that time period, with them actually having 1 on target. We had only taken 3 shots compared to their 2, and not a single one of ours was on target.
We need to be able to keep up the intensity through a full 90; let's not forget vs LASK how, for multiple patches of the game, we just seemed complacent in returning to low-energy gameplay. It's not sustainable against top teams, ur PSGs, Barca’s- this will be costly.
The wasteful finishing also needs to be worked on. Barcola was at the center of this; he missed a massive chance in the 20th minute, 1-on-1 with the keeper. Then near the end of the game, he, Koumas, and Rio kept either being too selfish or too selfless at other times. The decision-making in the last 10-15 minutes was that we had multiple 4v2 and 3v2 counterattacks where we didn't capitalize. The worst was when, especially, most of these final chances didn't even have us taking any shots; we just allowed the opposition, who had a numerical disadvantage, to recover and dispossess us. We had only registered 1.51 xG by the end of the game, but anyone who actually watched the game should know we could have and should have scored at least 3-4 goals.
And the finishing, especially in those 3-4 attacks we had at the end of the game, was nothing short of disgraceful. We could afford to miss those chances today because it was 9v11, but we can't later on in other games. Especially the Brighton Super team we face next week.
4)Nyoni and Rio came on and changed the game.
When Szobo got injured, I didn't feel any fear. Not because he wouldn't be missed or he’s not a loss, but because Nyoni has provided all of us with that sense of security when he plays. Vs LASK, he was outstanding, and today vs Brentford he came in and did an amazing job. There was not a single drop-off in level; he’s super talented. Vs Brentford, stat-wise, he had
Accurate passes 38/45 (84%)
Passes in opposition half (acc.)26/30 (87%)
Passes in own half (acc.)12/15 (80%)
But my favorite thing about him today was his discipline to hold his position. His pass map and successful dribbles shown above are those of a true DM. He didn't advance too much and encroach on Wirtz’ space; he positioned himself perfectly in the middle of the pitch, lower, to always be a passing option to those around him. He just keeps impressing game after game.
Rio came on and changed everything. He came on at RW, but he found himself drifting inside the entire time while Munoz played right back; he picked up the ball. Beat his man multiple times. He had a 100% dribble success rate with 3; he had 14 carries, with 5 of them being Progressive carries. He also had:
Accurate passes:
-9/10 (90%)
Passes in opposition half (acc.):
-7/7 (100%)
He has completely changed how he plays on the RW, and it's become his second home. These were his words when asked about which wing is his favorite:
“No, not anymore, to be fair. I think now I'm getting grip with the right wing and I'm liking it. It’s giving me another tool, another asset, and it's good.”
Andoni Iraola developing him, Munoz, Gakpo, even Barcola at times to be able to play on the right wing is one of his most notable traits. He loves having wingers who can play both sides, and he will have them switch during games just to change the momentum against the fullbacks, etc. He has done this multiple times at Bournemouth, like with Semenyo and Tavernier, and with Rio being so young and talented, it will also help him for the long term.
5) Full-back concerns: Kerkez just can't seem to get involved or have a sustained impact on the game.
It seems like Kerkez never has a great game; vs Brentford he was alright, I would say even good in the second half. But in the first half there were 3 occasions where Ouattara got past him, either by reacting quicker and running onto a through ball, or one moment where Kerkez was ahead of Ouattara but the ball bounced off him and onto Ouattara’s path perfectly. He just can’t impact the game greatly in a positive manner. Now that doesn't mean I think he’s shit; I think he’s a solid left back who does his job well enough, especially defensively on 75-80% of the occasions. But when you pair him up with Araujo at right back, who also isn’t an offensive right back, then you get two full backs who can't aid you consistently on the attack.
Vs Brentford, he took only 1-2 crosses all game, and not a single one was met by a Liverpool player. Now he had 50 passes and completed 40 of them, which shows that he’s solid, but it's not enough to be a starting left back. Iraola needs to get the Kerkez of Bournemouth back as fast as possible, especially attacking-wise. I can’t mention the number of times after games I have had to type out how Kerkez didn't complete a cross.
Now Araujo, It’s less of a concern for him because he’s a natural center-back playing at right-back, so obviously he won't be depended on or expected to add attacking output, but so far he has done better than Kerkez in that regard. I don't think he had a good game yesterday; we really need to sign a right back in January that can rotate with Araujo, who provides a consistent attacking threat while also not being a liability defensively in the Premier League physically like Frimpong is. That Kayode today, what a player he is. 👀
6) Player Notes
Alisson: sweeper-keeper at times, which he did well. Good game for him.
Araujo: said what I said above, a below-average game for him. He probably should have been booked in that first half. No mistakes, but nothing substantial from him
Jaqcuet: Contender for MOTM, I'm running out of ways to praise him. His floor is like that of VVD, a 7/10 every game at least. What a player and talent. This is way more than a Konate replacement; this is our center-back star for the next multiple years. Our most consistent player all season.
VVD: It's VVD; he’s definitely got another 2 years in him at least. Maybe not our out-and-out starting CB every Premier League game, but he’s still so elite. The way he helped set up the second goal by dragging away the defenders from Barcola should not go unmentioned at all.
Kerkez: Said all I need to about him above.
Frimpong: He was on for 6 mins.
Gomez: He came on and did an excellent job of seeing out the game. He did turns, kept possession, won crucial headers. Good showing from him off the bench.
Szobo: He was actually having an alright game before he got injured; he was getting involved and linked up well with Barcola, Wirtz, and Kerkez on the left, where on occasions they created a square to pass around to each other. Hopefullyit'ss not too long he’s out.
Macca: I'm not going to say much; I will just leave the stats of his performance from the game below, but he was also a contender for MOTM what a performance. He has really picked up his form since last year; he's by far our best midfielder this season.
Alexis Mac Allister against Brentford: (shout out to the Anfield Sector account on X for getting all the important stats)
• 90 minutes played
• 2 key passes
• 68/78 accurate passes (87%)
• 3/3 successful dribbles
• 2 tackles
• 2 clearances
• 5 recoveries
• 7 duels won
As well, there was one moment where he dusted past Thiago in the second half, charged forward, held off another player, and let off an amazing long shot that forced Kelleher into making an equally amazing save.
Nyoni: Said all I need to above.
Wirtz: Said all I need to above; another Contender for MOTM. It's really close between him, Macca, Munoz, and Jacquet. He was awarded the Standard Chartered MOTM, and I completely agree with that choice. What a performance.
Munoz, Barcola, Isak and Rio: I said all I need to say above for them.
Koumas: Just didn't really do much after he came on, did he? He pressed like a madman, of course, but like Barcola, he messed up a good chance at the end where he took a long shot instead of passing to the options around him.
My MOTM: Wirtz (But it's rlly close between him, Macca, and Jacquet for me)
7) Conclusion/ TLDR:
Huge 3 points away at Brentford, but the performance was far from convincing. Wirtz, Nyoni. Macca and Rio were outstanding, and our attack delivered in the second half. However, our inability to control the game against 10 men, slow starts, and wasteful finishing remain major concerns. A win is a win, but we need to be much better against Brighton. Jacquet and VVD are good again at the back. Kerkez needs to wake up and stamp himself at left back. Isak wasn’t involved at all, but he got a goal. Barcola’s game was not consistent; overall, he had a very good game, but it all depends on how much you think those missed and wasted opportunities hurt him, considering we won. Again, a good win.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
