King Ronald

[Liverpool 2 – 0 Brighton].

I wasn’t sure where to even start today’s column, because there is so much positive to discuss, so let me start here: this is the first column I’ve been excited to write in months. That’s how good Liverpool were today.

In fact, in my opinion, this was hands down the best game we’ve played so far this season in the Premier League.

One thing that makes it especially neat is how the Reds, for the first time this season, were able to adjust from pressing to defending, from forward momentum to pressure absorption, neatly and seamlessly, never inducing panic. One, perhaps unusual, way to say it is that against one of the most thrilling attacking teams in Europe right now, with him having a stinker of a game (for his standard), Ali still kept a clean sheet.

This requires a heck of a lot more than just a good overall defensive performance. For the first time in what feels like forever, we watched both wingers tracking back properly. Barcola’s defensive work was brilliant. The midfield ticked, the intensity was there, the second balls didn’t all fall to blue shirts (as often happens against the Seagulls). Macca, and Nyoni once he came on, were constantly in the right place at the right time, disrupting the otherwise free flowing attacking patterns of the visitors. Speaking of the latter, what incredible maturity from such a young player in such a key role! How many key interventions did he have in his first fifteen minutes on the field? Three? Four?

We must appreciate what Iraola has already done with promoting our academy players, and have much to look forward to in this regard.

It was also a joy to watch our big buys starting to click. The Isak goal, off a gorgeous Barcola interception and assist, was a classic, and the way they grinned at each other during the celebration had that quality of teenagers falling in love. I am upset that they took Wirtz’s goal away from him, he deserved to have it, but he is continuing to show increasing signs of his quality, and if those three all light up, it just might end up with another migraine-inducing Merseyside attacking trio. I look forward to seeing these partnerships develop.

Still, I saved the best for last, because even in a game that illustrated to perfection all the potential this side has, one player managed to shine even brighter. There’s an old wisdom about never falling in love with a loan player, but my heart refuses to listen. Ronald Araujo gave the kind of performance that combined everything you could ever want in a homegrown legend, let alone a foreign loanee who doesn’t even speak the language: skill, vision, commitment, determination, bravery…oh, the bravery! In a match full of moments, the one that stands out to me the most was that lying down header in the Liverpool box in front of the Kop in the first half. You just don’t see much of that these days. Araujo was chief destroyer of Brigthon opportunities, even as they repeatedly targeted him.

And throughout all of that, Araujo kept that goofy grin on his face, the “that all you got, brah?” message written all over it. He was having fun, and we were having fun with him. It was a 10/10 performance, so yes…

I fell in love with a loan player.

Sue me.

This is supposed to be a hugely transitional year. I still don’t expect us to win things, but a part of my brain that was resigned to waiting until Iraola gets the team set up his way woke up after this game wondering, perhaps I’m overly pessimistic? Is that even possible for a Liverpool fan?

Lovely question to ponder, though, isn’t it?