Set pieces, Man of the match and midfield Trent Alexander-Arnold here to stay – 5 talking points from Liverpool 3-2

Set pieces, Man of the match and midfield Trent Alexander-Arnold here to stay – 5 talking points from Liverpool 3-2 Forest

Set pieces, Man of the match and midfield Trent Alexander-Arnold here to stay – 5 talking points from Liverpool 3-2 Forest

Liverpool worked hard but finally secured a very useful three points at home to Nottingham Forest, in a 3-2 win at Anfield.
Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest

Premier League (31), Anfield
April 22, 2023

Goals: Jota 47′ 55′, Salah 70′; Williams 51′, Gibbs-White 67′

Fixed threat

One avenue that has looked fruitful for the Reds all afternoon has been set pieces.

A Trent Alexander-Arnold free kick to Virgil van Dijk created the first real problem of the game for Forest goalkeeper Keylor Navas as he deflected the ball over the bar.

There was another chance from the ensuing corner, which led to another corner where Cody Gakpo’s shot was cleared off the line by Neco Williams.

Diogo Jota then missed a good chance at the far post from Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick, but it couldn’t fail as he opened the scoring in the second half and bravely entered the net from close range after Fabinho headed over the goal goal. another corner. His second was an excellent touch and a free-kick finish from Andy Robertson. Both full-backs put in impressive performances all afternoon.

line of scrimmage

Alexander-Arnold’s switch from right-back to midfield during Liverpool’s warm-up play has a natural kick-off effect higher up the pitch.

There was often an attacking back four consisting of Jota, Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones. Sometimes a five when Jordan Henderson was promoted. The pair regularly swapped places, with Gakpo often penetrating deep into midfield to help build.

Jurgen Klopp recently commented that games towards the end of this season will be useful in planning the next ones, so it looks like the Trent-in-midfield experience is here to stay.

The most important thing will be how it affects the rest of the team’s form, helping both frontline defense and attacking play.

Decent depth…in most areas

Liverpool need more depth in an obvious area that has been mentioned throughout the season, but the bench against Forest has been quite impressive in other positions.

Luis Diaz returned from injury and presented a keen threat from the bench in the second half, when Darwin Nunez also came to occupy the Forest defenders until the dying minutes. These two would be starters for many other teams, so they’re pretty good options to have in reserve for a game like this.

Furthermore, Thiago should in theory add extra control in midfield, although control of a game this season appears to be beyond Liverpool for some reason and Forest were still threatening at one point.

Joel Matip and Joe Gomez would also make excellent centre-backs for many teams, while Harvey Elliott is one of the most promising young England players in the league.

Liverpool have problems and there could be some turnover this summer, but at least two parts of the pitch are building on existing positions.

Divert the blame

The goals Forest scored weren’t the result of clear-cut chances, far from it, but it seemed typical of Liverpool’s 2022/23 season that they entered anyway. The first was a speculative shot from Williams, which hit Robertson and consequently dodged Alisson, despite his objections.

The second hit two players, Ibrahima Konaté and Alexander-Arnold, before finding the back of the net, although it was a well-taken volley from Morgan Gibbs-White.

The xG on those shots was 0.03 for Willams and 0.12 for Gibbs-White, according to Infogol – and Forest’s best chance of the game was Brennan Johnson’s try, which hit the crossbar.

Don’t name the top 4

Just when you think Liverpool are out of contention for the top four this season, after a win, you look at the table and think, hmm…

Maybe a place in the Conference League – just a point behind Villa with one game less.

So perhaps a Europa League place is up for grabs – three points behind fifth-placed Spurs on goal difference. Only then do you realize that Liverpool are just six points behind current fourth-placed Newcastle, even though the Reds have a slightly worse goal difference and have now played a game more.

But it’s not as impossible as once thought, and with Newcastle and Spurs playing each other, every victory becomes more realistic.
Klopp’s team just has to keep winning. It hasn’t been easy this season, but there isn’t a bad time to start.

Also..

Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest: Liverpool Player performace Ratings

Liverpool enjoyed a meal from their return to Anfield but Diogo Jota’s brace capped off a solid attacking display in a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest

Goals: Jota 47′ 55′, Salah 70′; Williams 51′, Gibbs-White 67′

Alisson – 6 (out of 10)

Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world, but he tends to be sloppy when it comes to possession – that was the case against Forest when he carelessly conceded a throw-in for the game’s second equalizer.

There was little he could do to stop Neco Williams or Morgan Gibbs-White, however, as serious distractions took their efforts away from him.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9 – Man of the Match

revived. Predictably, the No.66 has been busy in his new role and his creativity has been central to all of Liverpool’s strong performances. Especially the ball in front of Mohamed Salah’s goal was sublime. Welcome back, Trent.

Ibrahim Konaat – 6

He had a tough fight against a sort of former teammate Taiwo Awoniyi, and struggled to get a handle on the Nigerian, who has always been a handful.

Konate has been better in possession than his central defender, especially with his direct pass to the left, but he will be relieved not to be as physically present each week.

Virgil Van Dyke – 6

He is not Van Dijk’s best play as he created a backline that was often all over the place, although it could be argued that they are still learning to deal with this new setup. Like Alisson, he was sometimes a nuisance in possession, giving Gibbs-White a chance early on, and Forest’s two-goal struggle thankfully meant nothing in the end.

Andy Robertson-6

It could be a hybrid role for Alexander-Arnold, but so is Robertson, who now combines his duties as a roving left-back and centre-back.

There is still some fine-tuning to be done on the defensive line but the Scotsman was an avid presence in that channel whilst still giving Liverpool that push forward.

Fabinho-7

A numerical performance by Fabinho who, knowing that a booking in this or the next game would see him suspended for another two games, moved comfortably in the starting midfield.

There was also a clever assist, when he headed the ball over the goal, so Diogo Jota headed in to make it 1-0.

Jordan Henderson-6

It often appeared that he was not involved, but the captain played a vital role in bridging the gaps created by Alexander-Arnold’s forward raids.

In a way it fits his frenetic energy – perhaps more important off the ball than on it – even if something was still missing.

Curtis Jones-6

Starting a fourth straight game, on merit, Jones drifted into his role as No. 8 left field as he easily merged passes.

There are shades of Gini Wijnaldum playing him, but maybe this system needs more. He showed it against Leeds with a sumptuous assist, but he is often too contemplative in possession. Mohammad Salah – 7

The determination to beat Remo Freuler 3-2 showed the advantage a motivated Mo Salah can give Liverpool.

In an otherwise labored performance, Salah scored the goal that tied him with Robbie Fowler as Liverpool’s sixth-highest goalscorer of all time.

Diogo Jota – 9

Making his fifth straight start after finally ending his goalscoring drought, Jota clearly has his manager’s trust – and rightly so.

After missing a first chance, he shot clean minutes after the restart, dozing off at close range before scoring his second with a brilliant touchdown.

What a turning point for a player who has struggled for so long.

Cody Gakpo – 6

Such a fun footballer to watch. He will soon be many fans’ favorite player.

The ball sticks to his feet and he has a player’s center of gravity a foot shorter than his 6’4″ frame; Although Saturday wasn’t her most effective performance, she still had an impact.

Substitute

Darwin Nunez (for Gakpo, 60′) – 6 – Missed a golden chance for 4-2. Seemed a bit lost between roles. Thiago (for Fabinho, 60′) – 6 – Clean so contagious as a substitute.

Luis Diaz (for Jota, 81′) – 7 – Great to see him back at Anfield. A moment of magic reminded us of what we missed.

James Milner (for Jones, 81′) – 6 – Muscles added late. His 850th career club appearance. Unused: Kelleher, Matip, Gomez, Tsimikas, Elliott

Jurgen Klopp 8

He maintained the confidence with an unchanged squad for a third successive game, rewarding those who set the stage for Leeds to win on Monday.

He paid with two more goals from Jota, while his substitutions at the time – probably planned – showed ruthlessness with Thiago and Darwin Nunez.

That, in turn, has protected Fabinho from a potential yellow card as he faces a two-match ban as he further expands the power Klopp ultimately has at his disposal.

This will be seen as a job done, with four matches in 11 days to be scheduled now.

Player Rating Definitions: 10 = Flawless | 9 = Excellent | 8 = Very good | 7 = Good | 6 = Average | 5 = Below Par | 4 = Bad | 3 = Very bad | 2 Terrible | 1 = Absolutely not