Liverpool manager to grind out another 2-1 win on Saturday.
After conceding yet another goal, Jurgen Klopp’s side came back to grind out a closely fought victory against a well-disciplined West Ham United.
Since being unveiled a day after Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota has settled into life at Anfield with ease. Far from being a contender to fight for a place on the bench, the Portuguese international is now staking a claim to be in the starting 11 at the expense of Roberto Firmino – who endured another frustrating night.
Bobby’s loss of form, particularly in front of goal, was evident yet again as the Reds engineered only one shot on target in the first half; even that was a penalty.
Jota has already displayed smoothness on the ball, a tremendous two-footed ability and goal scoring instinct. At Wolves many of his strikes were explosive finishes but in a matter of games he has demonstrated clean runs and finishes to go.
The Portuguese admitted in his post-match interview that he was observing the game from the bench to assess what was needed to break down the dogged Hammers, and that sort of analytical mind was evident as he came on to make a real difference.
"“On the bench I think what could I do different to unlock the result,” the Independent reported that Jota said."
Liverpool’s two other star performers were the forgotten men who were reportedly on the verge of leaving in the last transfer window.
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Nat Phillips, who excelled against Everton on his first team debut last season in the FA Cup win last season, put in a commanding, mature, man-of-the-match performance as he won aerial duel after duel – including a vital clearance deep into injury time.
A twist of fate resulting in injuries to key personnel has worked in Phillips’ favour. If he continues to excel and remains fit, he has a real chance of making his appearance on Saturday evening more than a rare outing.
Xherdan Shaqiri was the other outstanding player who turned the game by offering the incisive pass which cut through the West Ham defence leading to Jota’s winning strike. Shaqiri has struggled with injuries but he alongside Thiago are arguably the most gifted and natural midfielders at Anfield.
It is easy to forget but in the attacking third, Shaqiri has contributed some vital moments. He is an essential option, particularly from the bench.
Liverpool are several gears lower than where they have been for the past two seasons. Conceding goals, some consistently poor individual performances, edgy victories, the absence of fans, VAR controversies and injuries have not helped.
However, the benchmark they are judged against is unusual owing to the high standards they themselves have set over the past two campaigns with record-breaking consistency.
Regardless of the above, Liverpool sit top of the tree and have plenty, plenty more in the tank. It was not ‘heavy metal football’ against the Hammers but very much another chapter for the ‘Mentality Monsters.’
YNWA.
Riaz Ravat is a member of Liverpool FC’s Equality & Diversity Fan Forum. He writes in a personal capacity.