Neil Atkinson’s post-match review for The Anfield Wrap after Nottingham Forest 1 Liverpool 0 in the Premier League at the City Ground…
THREE dropped.
But momentum dropped.
The feel good dropped.
Morale dropped.
Some seasons are in full bloom quickly. Some seasons find their way and blossom. And some seasons are like orchids you have to care for, keep in glass.
Today, the glass was broken and the orchid was trodden on and Liverpool only really have themselves to blame.
They weren’t ever appalling but they were just so flat at all stages, there was no exuberance. Everything looked like graft.
The idea of rising above seemed unthinkable. We dragged ourselves down to our level. And beat ourselves.
Liverpool’s problems against Nottingham Forest today are legion. Everything goes wrong. Forest have desire and luck, but Liverpool shape that luck for them. We make this their lucky cup final.
Liverpool have no marginal advantages. Balls go awry, chances are missed, players are out injured, the punishment is a Nottingham Forest goal that comes not so much against the run of play, but following the run of bad luck and moody attitude covering Liverpool Football Club.
The best Liverpool player is Alisson Becker. Not just because he makes excellent saves, but because he survives the rugby tackle from Forest’s defenders as he surges forward to try to get the ball in the net at the end of the game. None of these players want this result. The disorganisation is not their fault.
It is in part poor performance, in part circumstance, in part the commitment to the change of system and in part the commitment to sports science. It is understandable, on the whole, why Liverpool are remarkably risk averse around selection. That said they are being risk averse, they have been risk averse and the worst keeps happening.
The system then. It is understandable why Liverpool persevere with the change of shape but who, today, does it help? It is easy to envisage one slight shift, one different name on the teamsheet, one click into 4-3-3 and Liverpool look more robust.
The circumstance. It is three games in seven days, as tight as it gets. The injuries have indeed been mounting up. It is do or die for Nottingham Forest. I am prepared to feel sorry for Liverpool to an extent. The other circumstance though is the rest of the season to this point. Want to deal with this? Win against Brighton. Beat Crystal Palace.
The poor performance. The concern is this – Liverpool were poor in the round and in moments. Fabio Carvalho’s touch is sublime but, having made it, he should score. Virgil van Dijk should also score. Various Liverpool players get to the byline. More should come of it. Joe Gomez gets caught. Fabinho doesn’t track. Moments.
But in the round, the shortcomings are significant. Space is everywhere, everyone is narrow when narrow isn’t an option. The one more ball isn’t there. In the round, Liverpool aren’t good enough because if they were we’d be able to consider their goalkeeper a clear MOM rather than him in competition with ours.
It wasn’t a sucker punch. That’s the point. It wasn’t as though it was coming but Forest aren’t getting out here in stripey pyjamas with a bag of swag on their shoulders. A draw could have been a fair result. They started the day 20th. That’s a concern.
Concerns abound. A result Wednesday helps and building on the home form helps. Getting to the World Cup helps. But today hurts.
The ball dropped.
Hope dropped.
Spirits dropped.
It needs to be better. In all circumstances.
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Here’s the headline on Liverpool’s website:
“Liverpool injury latest cannot hide truth for Jürgen Klopp as 71-day countdown on for FSG”
Basically implying that FSG need to help us out in order to preserve top 4….
Where is your pressure TAW? or is access to club more important than journalistic integrity?
The real issue is that we or FSG have not put their hands in their considerably deep pockets (enhanced by the huge increase in the value if the club ) . In order to strengthen the playing staff particularly midfield . We have an ageing squad who sit on their laurels and are too comfortable by half . You invest and change when successful . subtle changes and tweeks . We have not done that. Look at iur successful historical sides . it is FSG !who have made a shedload of money in terms of the value of their original investment . Jurgen I feel operating with one hand tied. Top 4 at least and top 4 at best !!! Kopites view .
TAW keeps looking at all the problems in isolation:
Formation
Players playing poorly
Klopp making bad decisions
The fact is zero playing investment for a long time is the FAULT OF FSG.
FSG ARE POOR OWNERS IF THEY DONT RECTIFY THIS
Anyone else on here remember Neil Atkinson giddily laughing away as Klopp explained why Liverpool didn’t need a midfielder.
Guess Neil ain’t laughing quite so much now……
Although ACCESS before the club is TAW way!!!!