Ryan is fully fit, although there are still two training sessions left. The staff believes that he is totally fit. The group is in a good situation with the Netherlands national team, Ron Kumman being able to decide to play Tani Resburg, with 45 minutes for each. Ibu has returned, resumed his sessions and is scheduled to train with the team today. Allison, on the other hand, does not train with the group: he is therefore out.
It is difficult to be precise about the duration of his absence, because the final phase of rehabilitation can give both positive and negative. He will not play this weekend and not next week either.
Compared to the beginning of last season, the team creates fewer chances, but remains the one that, on open actions, generates the most “x chances” and shots on target. The real problem is that we conceded too many goals. Nine have been cashed in, including :
* 4 from set pieces, while this remains a strength of the team ;
* 2 on fast attacks ;
* 3 on open stocks.
In the game, the team concedes too many crosses. In addition, the opponents are playing differently than in the first half of last season, with many more long balls to defend; after seven games, the amount of long balls to manage is already very high. So we have to find answers and, first of all, stop conceding so much, because if scoring is harder, we also have to make the opponent’s goals more difficult.
Mo’s numbers have dropped with five goals from his last twenty-one appearances, while he scored thirty-two in his first forty-one games last season. But it doesn’t matter who the opponent is: when you’ve lost three times in a row and you’re wearing a Liverpool shirt, you have to react. The players give everything, from start to finish. In the last three games, the team had to come back after being led 1-0; twice they managed to do so before losing at the end of the match, despite perhaps superior chances to the opponent. The reaction is therefore essential, whether it is against Manchester United or Brenford the following week.
Every Premier League match is expected, and even more so against Manchester United, a special poster, very followed in the world. United have, according to the analysis, started better than the ranking suggests. The game at Anfield is a positive prospect, with the fans being very supportive; after three defeats, they can help the team on Sunday.
If the team that creates the most chances on open stocks would no longer surprise, recent events especially show a decrease in the volume of chances compared to last season, explained by the style of the opponents. The first answer remains not to concede as much anymore. Last season, the victories came either from a special moment by one of the front three, or from a set-piece against the low blocks; this season there have been fewer actions of pure brilliance and no goals on the stopped phase. Conceding 40% of goals on CPA is too much for a team that wants to compete.
Alexander Isach now has five to six weeks of “pre-season”, which is normal after three or four months off. Physically, he is getting closer to the expected level and can be judged more fairly. He did not score with his selection, while Cody, Virgil, Dominic and Malister did, but his “pre-season” is over with games at 70, 80, 90 minutes. The next few weeks will tell where he is at.
Out of ten games this season, seven wins and three losses, each time by very small margins: twice in the last minutes and once with two penalties, where the VAR should have, according to the analysis, reversed the decision in both directions but only did so for the team’s. The margins are small, but we shouldn’t depend on it; Chelsea away remains a balanced match, with a quality opponent, and Liverpool have been able to create more chances. The results do not lie: after three defeats, we must do better, without dramatizing, keeping the habits regardless of the series, with that spark and those extra 1 or 2% expected, from players and fans alike.
It is difficult to say whether the truce has “calmed down” the debate on the three defeats; outside, we are talking about the results, and the group too. Some left, scored or issued passes. The top players keep the same preparation, whether they win or lose. The team does not deny the results and works every day to widen the gap with the opponents, which is not simple.
Alexis did not start the season as hoped, largely because of a big missed pre-season game. He went in and out, 60 minutes, then 45, without stringing three games together. This is not ideal for anyone, but with his experience he will return to the expected level.
Sunday kicks off a streak of seven games in three weeks. We have to build cohesion and freshness; we can’t go from zero to three games a week for those who come back, like Maka, Alex or Connor Bradley. Everywhere, these calendars are played with more than eleven players. If we rotate and we win, it’s smart; if we lose, we say that we had to change less. Some positions cannot string all the games together without the risk of injury; it happened before and during the break for some (not with us, except Allison). The workforce offers solutions, and this is never an excuse to drop points.
Beyond the Chelsea match and the comments on Cerella, the winger-lateral balance is central. The sides must also attack, but the team concedes too many crosses compared to last season, a point to correct. Mo could have made the difference on several actions, as often last season. Florian and Dominic are attacking midfielders, but like the eleven, they have to defend; it’s always a question of balance.
Before Liverpool – Manchester United, Ryan is fit, Ibu has resumed, Allison is absent at least until next week. The team still creates a lot on open actions, but concedes too much, especially on crosses and on set-pieces. After three tight defeats, the reaction is expected, regardless of the opponent. At Anfield, with clear adjustments, better solidity and key players who are stepping up, the objective is to get back on track.
