Liverpool’s first dwelling match of the 2023/24 season ended with three factors and three objectives, however it was removed from excellent after the Reds got here from behind.
Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth
Premier League, AnfieldSaturday 19 August, 2023
Objectives: Diaz 27′, Salah 36′, Jota 61′; Semenyo 3
Pink card: Mac Allister 58′
Assault cancels out defence, on this event
We’ve been right here earlier than and we don’t prefer it, however Liverpool have nonetheless acquired a protracted strategy to go to type out the defensive points, each within the workforce and within the system.
One issue that must be affordable to anticipate enchancment in is focus and intent from kick-off; final season noticed us going behind with far too nice frequency and particularly early in matches.
The Reds had a warning only a few seconds in, didn’t heed it and nonetheless went behind. Particular person errors, a scarcity of focus and the same old muddle of who does what contributed to going 1-0 down inside minutes.
Trent Alexander-Arnold might be checked out for poor management on each the disallowed objective and the one which counted, however so too should we take a look at Virgil van Dijk‘s alternative of cross, Andy Robertson‘s ineffective sort out and Alisson who, quickly after, nearly price one other objective and acquired himself booked after dropping possession.
The poor defensive work didn’t solely disappear thereafter, however fortunately our attacking superiority definitely overtook any points on the different finish. It received’t at all times be that means, it must be mounted.
Early season fliers
Solely two video games in so we don’t have to go overboard, however there are clearly gamers who’re excessive in confidence and flying of their early-season type.
At the beginning is Luis Diaz. He was massively concerned all sport lengthy within the Reds’ assault and scored our equaliser to make it two in two.
And what an equaliser. A wayward cross deflected his means and each intuition and method have been excellent – a flick, a volley over his personal shoulder and it was in earlier than Neto may react.
Dribbles, balls into the field and at all times offering an out-ball for hazard made him arguably the largest risk within the entrance line all sport. Hopefully, the late groin harm is nothing main.
Additional downfield, Dominik Szoboszlai has been nothing wanting wonderful in two video games to date, destroying Bournemouth each in midfield and down the channels along with his ball-carrying and defence-splitting passing potential.
He ought to most likely be on the scoresheet already this time period; if Mo Salah continues so as to add a number of penalty misses final season to a different one past immediately’s, maybe the brand new No8 might be on them earlier than lengthy.
A nod too for Ibrahima Konate who, amongst a swamp of bilge, has been a constant performer on the again to date.
Endo debut and Alexis’ early exit
Lots thought he is perhaps thrown in on the deep finish and handed a begin if he acquired a piece allow on time, however new signing Wataru Endo needed to accept a watching transient to start with.
Lower than an hour into the sport, although, it turned clear he’d be required. Not precisely a defensive midfield set-up to start with, the Reds went right down to 10 males after Alexis Mac Allister was proven a delicate purple.
However, it was a reasonably poor sort out all the identical so not too many complaints might be had.
The hope now should be that it isn’t issued within the match report for violent conduct, as that can entail a three-game suspension.
As for Wataru Endo, the No. 3 understandably regarded off the tempo when it comes to defensive work and positional play, however he’ll must rise up to hurry quick – he’ll absolutely be a starter subsequent week in opposition to Newcastle.
Anfield, ambiance and applause
The primary dwelling sport of the season was notable for a couple of causes.
Anfield’s newest rebuid has been halted because of the contractor going into administration, so it stays to be seen how lengthy the complete opening for the elevated attendance takes.
All the identical, a capability crowd on the opening match definitely made themselves heard with some frustrations, early on particularly.
However they have been blended in with the far more happy backing of the workforce as soon as we discovered our groove and began to play some wonderful soccer, someplace across the purple card and third objective stage of the sport.
Extra might be hoped for when it comes to depth and 90-minutes-long quantity, after all, in greater video games to come back.
Lastly, it’s additionally value noting the respect proven for Everton supporter Michael Jones, who died this week whereas engaged on Everton‘s new stadium.
A flag of his membership was walked round Anfield as the house followers applauded in solidarity along with his household.
Endo the one addition?
The begin to the marketing campaign has been something aside from routine, with the Reds displaying already the perfect and really worst of them inside the primary 180 minutes of 2023/24.
There are inquiries to reply consequently, each on and off the sphere: does Jurgen Klopp genuinely nonetheless consider this technique and set-up – and group of gamers which make it – is one of the simplest ways ahead?
Not only for leisure, however for management and skill to dominate in opposition to the perfect.
What too for the remainder of the switch window? Certainly Endo received’t be the one addition within the deep midfield zone, given we wished two youthful gamers for large sums and have solely spent a fraction of that on the older Japanese skipper.
And maybe less-pressing, however extra over-arching: what’s the longer-term plan for this workforce as regards to technique and course within the recruitment sector?
There’s rather a lot to type out and there’s restricted time for a few of it, however it doesn’t seem that Liverpool followers might be quick on rollercoaster feelings as soon as once more this time period.
