Liverpool 0-0 Everton: Liverpool need to find their edge before rot sets in
Liverpool need to sort their attack out before Crystal Palace.
Pre-COVID, the Reds were in an unfamiliar place for them this term. The later half of February and into March, the goals were drying up, and they were having difficulty in the final third with the likes of Watford and Atletico.
Three months of lay-off doesn’t seem to have effected their drop in form in the final third. Mohamed Salah didn’t make an appearance while Takumi Minamino got the nod on the right wing. It was a good showing from the young forward, he made life difficult in the first half down Everton’s right flank.
They will need to find solutions for this nagging persistent issue or they will find themselves in a long hot summer.
It is way to early to be thinking of the horrific spectre of 2014 and Chelsea, but a very similar situation is just another two or three poor performances away. Particularly if they lose at the Etihad.
City are not likely to drop points this summer to anyone other than Liverpool. And Liverpool shouldn’t be looking for them to.
Their destiny is in their own hands.
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They just need to play good football and put these teams to the sword. The longer this takes, the more the grumblings of ‘14 and Chelsea will build. Both in the minds of players and fans alike.
Naby Keita put in a full shift through 65 minutes when replaced by Gini Wijnaldum. Keita had a good solid performance in midfield next to Jordan Henderson, who had a less than stellar outing by his standards this season.
Allison was man of the match for me, as his three saves insured Liverpool a point. Divock Origi, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rounded out the subs up front; replacing Minamino and Roberto Firmino.
Once again, this was not a usual Liverpool look; which on offense, led to a disruption of flow.
Finding the final pass was just a bridge to far for the lads today.
Without Robertson and Salah, the Reds were mostly impotent and ineffective down the right side after the first half, once Minamino had been subbed off.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had a subpar performance through the run of play, but managed to make life interesting for Pickford, on one or two free kicks. Fabinho also made him work on a free kick in the second half near the 92nd minute mark.
So we go again come Wednesday, when football makes the long awaited return to Anfield. Crystal Palace will be in town for an evening match with Klopp and the lads. Until Liverpool prove they’ve solved their final third issues, look for teams to pack the final third just like Watford, Atletico, and now Everton.
Next. Liverpool 0-0 Everton: 3 things we learned - Takumi Minamino doesn't work. dark
Clearly, Carlo Ancelotti had a plan to stymie the Reds, and Klopp, who he has frustrated on more than one occasion while managing Napoli. Once again, the Reds find it difficult to finish clinically in the final third against an Ancelotti managed side.
Words by Paul Landwehr.