Liverpool missed another opportunity against Newcastle.
Wednesday night’s draw against Newcastle United felt very much like West Bromwich Albion part II. Another team wearing dark and white stripes packed in tightly, squeezing spaces and looking for any opportunity on the counter-attack or a set-piece.
The Geordies would have taken a point before the game and on that basis it was very much mission accomplished. For the Champions, it was more dropped points and another missed opportunity to create some distance between themselves and the rest. We now have a multiple horse title-race. Liverpool have left the door wide open.
The performers on the night were the ever-energetic Andy Robertson, Alisson Becker who had to concentrate just once late in the second half with his save securing even a point, Fabinho whose adaptability is priceless and 20 minutes of world-class Thiago Alcantara whose night was perilously close to ending again after a late, yellow-carded tackle by Isaac Hayden.
Over the coming weeks, officials and VAR must come under closer scrutiny because this ‘Rolls Royce’ of a footballer who Liverpool signed from Bayern Munich is technically peerless and is likely to be the subject of more foul play.
Admittedly, Newcastle’s goalkeeper Karl Darlow had a superb night, but even so, the Reds were guilty of poor finishing with Mo Salah the principal offender. It is apparent that when teams park the bus, the Champions front three struggle and there is no plan B.
Salah’s recent interview with the Madrid based newspaper AS about his future plans in this context appears ill advised.
Up front Diogo Jota is a massive miss. Playing in a meaningless Champions League group game which resulted in an injury has proven to be costly.
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A cold light of day analysis about our performances last season included much praise for our workmanlike midfield. However, it also included the need for more craft and creativity in that department to unlock defences because the Reds squeezed many games by single goal margins and were frustrated when teams were content to sit back.
None more so then two titanic battles against a well drilled Atletico Madrid team in the Champions League.
Against West Brom and Newcastle, the midfield was far too rigid, slow paced and moving side to side when a crisp, direct, high intensity approach was needed. Very few through balls are being attempted and the Reds are aiming to walk the ball into the net.
Substitutions are taking too long to materialise leaving a handful of minutes to turn the tide. Liverpool needed a goal at Newcastle and rather than a joint Thiago – Xherdan Shaqiri substitution which would have injected pace and energy in the front third, the first change brought on by the Reds was Gini Wijnaldum for James Milner. The Shaq was given all of only two minutes to influence the game. Injuries aside, he has rarely let Liverpool down on the pitch.
This is a tough period for Liverpool in a season ravaged by injuries and abject VAR decisions. Even so, when the Reds have an opportunity to make a claim, the players are not doing so. Where was the fuss as Semi Ajayi held Fabinho down for the West Brom equaliser? Why didn’t the players ask for a VAR review as Geordie ‘keeper Karl Darlow wrapped his leg around Sadio Mane?
The younger players have done very well in some games for the Champions and are becoming part of the fabric of the team as each matchday passes. However, Liverpool must seriously strengthen in the January transfer window because the league is far too tight and in this strangest of seasons, nothing can be taken for granted.
We have played all four teams that prop up the Premier League this season and collected only one victory – even that was by a single goal.
There will be further twists and turns to come for many teams in this league before the season is out and the Reds have their mentality to call upon as the pressure mounts. Reinforcements alongside the full fitness return of Thiago and Jota can make a difference.
Riaz Ravat is a member of Liverpool FC’s Equality & Diversity Fan Forum. He writes in a personal capacity.