Carnaval
We really have to stop doing this.
2-0 up, they’re playing with ten, we can’t just lose our heads and give up two goals. What on earth was Kerkez doing there on the first one? Can you imagine Robbo letting Bruno Guimaraes climb all over him like that? And the second one was nothing short of embarrassing, especially for Ibou Konate. It was a slick finish from Osula, but he never should have gotten the chance.
Listen, if we keep defending like this, Arsenal is going to make mincemeat out of us next week. They won’t be as naive as the Toons were today. They will be ruthless and effective and if we don’t watch ourselves, we’ll end up shipping quite a few.
If we let ‘em, the Gunners gonna gun.
I do understand the whole notion of this is a pretty new team, and some of them have to get used to the premier league (hello, Florian Wirtz.) Then again, why does Kerkez – left back of the year last year, mind you – constantly look like he is intimidated? The one player who seems to have no trouble with the intensity so far is Hugo Ekitike, who again gave off Torres vibes and scored another lovely finish off a Gakpo delivery that almost broke the frame of the Newcastle goal.
That goal, coming right after the half and Anthony Gordon’s red card, looked like it sealed the deal. The thing is, I’m allowed to sit back on my couch, relax a bit, and think that all day long. The team, on the pitch, cannot. Yet for whatever reason, they did, just like they did with Bournemouth last week, and ended up playing to the same script of having to chase an improbable late winner.
Speaking of the red, I imagine Gordon will be off for at least three games, maybe more. When it happened I had flashbacks to that Pickford assault, and when Simon Hooper only brought out the yellow, I screamed. The ball was so far away, the hit was right at the planted leg and at such speed, and Anthony Gordon is such a talented player, that I just don’t get how it could have been a mistake. I think he knew it immediately, but this should not have required VAR intervention.
On the good side, though, is this: there is this cliché about champions knowing how to win these kinds of games, and it’s a cliché for a good reason. Liverpool sustained an incredible onslaught and looked completely lost for the first half hour. Then came new father Gravenberch, pulled a worldie out of his ass, and suddenly the entire atmosphere in St. James’ Park deflated. The placement on that ball was so absurd I’m not sure if the xG on the shot was even detectable. It was that sublime, and poor Nick Pope could have done nothing about it. I sure didn’t see it coming.
Anyway…does Arne Slot live a charmed life or what? Because, conservative as he often comes across with his rotations and subs, he turns to his 16 years old wonderkind and wouldn’t you know it, the kid hits one of the most mature finishes I’d ever seen in a situation like this to take home the three points on the 100th(!) minute. The play building up to the goal was vintage Liverpool, and I think Salah should share the assist with Szoboszlai, but that finish, in that moment, at that age, with that level of confidence…that’s no joke.
Rio Ngumoah, what a way to announce yourself, and what a moment on your debut.
Before I conclude, I find myself in the odd position of naming the same unexpected player-of-the-match as I did last week, and again I expect to stand alone in this choice. But for me, Dominik Szoboszlai did an unbelievable job at right back, a position he has never seriously occupied, while still having a positive impact from the wing. So sure, his passes weren’t like Trent’s from that position, but Trent’s abilities in this regard were unique. To slot in like that, and do such an effective job, in a game as difficult as this one, was remarkable. Just compare him to the horror show that was natural fullback Milos Kerkez on the other side. Another excellent showing from the Hungarian, and a good headache for Arne Slot.
Six from six, and a game for pantheon. Personally, I’d like a bit less drama, but I don’t expect to get my wish any time soon. Oh, premier league, how I missed you.