The Heights To Which They Rise
A master class against Manchester City may be the turning point
We’ve seen plenty of shortfalls from Liverpool this season, but in their last 2 outings, and in many respects you can extend that to the last 4, the Red men have shown exactly what heights they are capable of reaching.
The second-half demolition of Rangers last week showed how badly Liverpool can put a team to the sword. Once the frailties of an opposition’s game plan become apparent, a countering strategy is subsequently implemented.
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Performances in both outings against the Glasgow side were impressive, but against world-class Manchester City Jurgen Klopp’s men put on a master class. The perfect game plan was dialed up given the available players and was executed with precision.
Alisson was in top form to the point of getting the assist on the only goal. Defensively Liverpool had learned from the last time they had to play James Milner at right-back against City, limiting his exposure to faster players, aided by fast backup cover from Joe Gomez.
High Marks From The Professor
Nobody gets less than a “B” for their performance but Gomez was utterly superb. Guardiola’s team targeted his side but he and Milner didn’t put a foot wrong. Meanwhile, Van Dijk is starting to regain his touch while Robertson, back from injury, showed that while Tsimikas is good – he is better.
Liverpool’s two Achilles heels this season have been defensive mistakes and a misfiring attack. The side is starting to show signs of remedying both. A stay-home-first mentality definitely works well for this Liverpool defense against quality opponents, while Liverpool’s forwards seem to be finding range and touch.
In the last two outings, Mo Salah has started to look like the player he was before he went AWOL after last January’s AFCON. The best of Firmino is back meanwhile after an injury-hit campaign last season. The return of Luis Diaz after the World Cup could turn the Liverpool forward line into something very scary again.
Liverpool against Manchester City was world-class. It remains to be seen if they can maintain that consistency and begin to be a force again! But we’ve seen what this side is capable of and there is no reason to believe that these heights can’t be reached on a regular basis.