Getting back into consistent writing is difficult, and as I work on more hardened projects, I thought it’d be beneficial to write about sport again, football specifically. Liverpool and Ireland are the teams I support, although I am also a follower of Bordeaux in Ligue 2, and a general watcher of the sport at all levels. To get back into the swing of things, here is what I thought of Liverpool’s ____ against Everton.
In the build-up to the game a lot of the talk around the game has been centered around the idea of the derby, with Liverpool ending their last game on a few rocky results, and Everton finally finding their feet in the league after a dire start. It did not help that Liverpool’s injuries have started to crop up again, with Everton’s beginning to return, as Andy Robertson picked up a shoulder injury whilst on Scotland duty, and who will be out for a significant period of time. That being said, Liverpool were still heavy favourites heading into the fixture.
The Back-Line
As mentioned, the loss of Andy Robertson cannot be understated, with him remaining to this day, the best in his position in the world, and with Tsimikas, his replacement for the time being, proving in recent months that he isn’t really up to the standard that Liverpool need consistently in the left-back position. In the first-half, it was proven time and time again that Tsimikas would look more in-place in an Everton-level squad than Liverpool’s, being lethargic on the ball and constantly misplacing his positioning and passes. It did not help that his left-hand side partner was Luis Diaz, who is definitely a fantastic player on his day, but has been caught in a bad run of form, compounded by his performance today as he struggled to get the better of any man he took on, and once again highlighted how poor his final decision making can be.
I think in terms of future games, the answer whilst Robertson remains injured should be Jota on the left, with Nunez down the middle, to solve the Diaz issue, with Gomez as the left sided centre-back in a back three, allowing Trent to be played even-more-so in that dynamic midfield role that worked so well toward the end of the 2022/2023 season.
The New-Look Midfield Debuts –
A lot of talk has been said in regard to Liverpool’s midfield over the last 18 months, and the response to that talk has been the complete overhaul of Liverpool’s midfield options. Mac Allister came in from Brighton and has since been utilised in an out-of-place defensive midfield role after the club failed to address the issues in that position, Szoboszlai has come in as the most advanced of the midfield options and has looked at home in this team instantly, and Gravenberch arrived on deadline day and has impressed in cameo appearances for the most-part.
Today against Everton was the first time that all three of these midfield options started a game together. Mac Allister continued to look out of place in the defensive role, having minimal effect on the game, whilst Szoboszlai looked an immense threat from the attacking position, coming close to scoring on several occasions, and Gravenberch was probably the most surprising of the lot, as he threw me shades of a prime Pogba, which, I understand it is still early days, but I make the comparison nonetheless as he strided with the ball, used his strength to shield, and had that gliding first-touch that Pogba once had to create space in tight areas. There is definitely more to come from Gravenberch in particular.
Refereeing Decisions –
Of course the biggest talking points from the game once again fall the way of the referee. Just to state, yes, Ashley Young deserved to be sent off for his two challenges, but at the same time, the decision to not keep Konate on the pitch, particularly after Young’s sending off, makes absolutely zero sense and stinks of favouritism in some form or another. If Young’s challenges were worth two yellows, then so were Konate’s, and Everton had been more than hard done by in that sense of the game.
Elsewhere, in terms of the penalty, on commentary for TNTSports, Ally McCoist made a good point in regard to the handball rule, that it needs to be altered to be solely penalised with the intention of handling the ball. However, under current ruling, it was a clear handball and a clear penalty.
Team Ratings – Liverpool
Alisson Becker – 6.5/10 – Had pretty much nothing to do all game thanks to Everton’s ten-man situation and lack of attacking prowess but still did his job correctly when needed and obtained his fourth Merseyside Derby clean sheet in a row, a record only ever achieved by former Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10 – Held the pace of the game well from midfield.
Ibrahima Konate – 8/10 – Yes, he and Virgil did not have much to do given Everton’s red card, but they still dominated aerially and on the ground.
Virgil van Dijk – 8/10 – Same points as Konate.
Kostas Tsimikas – 5/10 – Wasn’t abysmal, but even in favouring circumstances looked well off the standard to be a consistent starter in this Liverpool team.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5.5/10 – Looked out of the game in the defensive role once again, clearly not his best position.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7.5/10 – Before being substituted, I thought he gave visuals of a prime Pogba in the way he pushed forward with the ball when attacking and shielded with his body when defending, definitely more to come from this young man.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7/10 – Definitely looked more lively in the first-hand than in the second, that being said, once again looks ready made for the Premier League.
Mohamed Salah – 7/10 – Despite two goals, I thought Salah looked distant in this game today, rarely made an impact outside of the two goals.
Diogo Jota – 7/10 – Almost scored a few goals from incredible solo runs, and definitely should have got on the scoresheet today, would give him a run out on the left side of the attack in future games.
Luis Diaz – 4.5/10 – Put a shift in but his final decision making was so far off the mark.
Substitutions – Nunez (6/10), Elliott (7/10), Matip (6.5/10), Gomez (7/10)
Team Ratings – Everton
Jordan Pickford – 7/10 – Definitely should have had more control of his box but made a few excellent saves.
Ashley Young – N/A – Thought he played well and made a crucial tackle before being sent off but cannot give him a rating given that he was sent off in the first-half.
James Tarkowski – 7.5/10 – Excellent defensive performance all round.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 8.5/10 – One of the best players on the pitch and went toe to toe with every player he came up against. Definitely one of the brightest prospects in the Premier League.
Vitaley Mykolenko – 6.5/10 – A decent performance.
Jack Harrison – 6/10 – There isn’t much to say about Everton’s attackers given the circumstances they were playing under.
Andre Onana – 8/10 – An immense defensive display and saved his team on several occasions.
Gana Gueye – 6.5/10 – Put a shift in.
Dwight McNeil – 6.5/10 – Came close to scoring despite the few chances he had, and caused issues where possible.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5.5/10 – Of course he is still getting up to speed, but he really should have done better with that headed chance he had in the opening seconds of the game.
Substitutions – Patterson (N/A), Keane (5/10), Danjuma (N/A), Beto (N/A), Chermiti (N/A).
Nathan Brennan 