Did Jurgen Klopp make a key error as Liverpool lost to Arsenal?
Liverpool looked out of sorts for most of the first half in their Community Shield tie with Arsenal at Wembley Stadium today. They would play better in the second period, but this loss to Arsenal is the second in a bit over a month and that’s worrying.
Arsenal found joy exploiting down the right side playing directly at Neco Williams and Joe Gomez. Williams was caught out when a cross field pass from the left wing found an isolated unmarked Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who floated into the diagonal around a recovering Williams for the first strike and goal.
Liverpool were without Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold due to fitness issues and their absence was felt badly. James Milner got the start and the captain’s armband for the tie, while TAA’s crossing ability was missed as Williams struggled going forward.
The disjointed play in the midfield in the first half saw the Reds unable to link forward passes and keep pressure on a tight and compact Arsenal defense. Liverpool registered no shots on goal in the opening period.
Sadio Mane was the driving force in attack down the left wing where he was isolated one v one on several occasions.
An offside by Virgil Van Dijk on a free kick taken by Andrew Robertson nullified a fine finish from the center back in the 7th minute.
Robbo was left with the duty of taking free kicks and delivering some sweet peachy crosses into the box in Trent’s absence. He played well and shined throughout his minutes on the pitch.
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Gini Wijnaldum, Milner and Fabinho started in the midfield and seemed stagnant and a tad slow on getting to 50/50 balls and loose exchanges. Milner started out on the left side and this may have been a tactical mistake from the gaffer, as he would have been the better option to shepherd Williams down the right hand flank.
Klopp brought on Takumi Minamino in the second half and the lad made good on his first goal in a Liverpool jersey. This brought the Reds level in the 73rd minute. The final 20 minutes showed no killer joy for the Reds as the tie would got to penalties after 93 minutes.
Man of the match for me was Minamino on the strength of his goal to keep the Reds in the tie.
Jurgen Klopp would sub off Williams, Firmino, Milner, and Wijnaldum in the second half, bringing on Naby Keita, Cutis Jones, Minamino, and Rhian Brewster to try and get the Reds over the mark.
For the most part this was not a good outing for the Reds. Mo Salah seemed to be dropping deep into the midfield several times in the attacking end during the second half.
After the subs began coming on after the 60th minute, the Reds looked too fractured going forward to be of much consequence, until the Minamino strike after the ball caromed around the six yard box.
Klopp and Liverpool will not take this lose lightly to be sure, and will be back at the training pitch come Monday.
They have a fortnight before the Premier League kicks off in earnest on the weekend of 12 September, with their first match at Anfield against promoted side, Leeds United.