Appearing without gaps is a brief description of Liverpool’s appearance against Leicester City at Anfield. Liverpool fans must be very happy to watch this interesting match. For the author, the game against Leicester City this time may be one of the best this season. Starting from goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders to Liverpool forwards, they played very well. Moreover, facing Leicester City who had tasted victory against Liverpool in the first round of the English League with a score of 1-0.
This match illustrates Liverpool’s increasing ability to face a team that piles players in the penalty box while waiting for a chance to counterattack. And that’s what Leicester City demonstrated again while hoping to get a chance to kill Liverpool through a quick counter-attack. However, Liverpool seems to have overcome this through careful preparation. Despite the difficulty in scoring goals through open play, Liverpool were patient and took advantage of set pieces. Both goals were created from the use of set pieces, namely corner kicks.
It was Diogo Jota, Liverpool’s hero this time, who scored two goals in 34 and 87 minutes to secure Liverpool’s victory. Diogo is increasingly showing that he will become a new star parallel to the firm trio filled by Firmino, Mane and Salah since 2017. Even if Jota remains consistent, he will be the breaker of the trio and end the trio’s era. Diogo has scored 16 goals so far in all competitions in 29 matches, 7 goals clear of Moh Salah in first place.
It would not be an exaggeration to mention Diogo Jota as one of the biggest stars in football, seeing what he is currently performing. Especially at a young age. In the next 4 or 5 years, Jota’s name will be on the lips of world football lovers. One goal in the first half by Diogo Jota in the 34th minute has not really made Liverpool safe. Every now and then Leicester City can punish them on the counter-attack. That’s why Liverpool persisted in attacking until finally the score became 2-0 at the end of the match.
Performing well, Liverpool managed to do 22 trials with half on target and two fruitful goals. Liverpool only allowed Leicester City to make 5 attempts with one on target. The players looked stunning as the spirit that was born from the supporters who were not tired of singing in the stands. This match was also Lusi Diaz’s first in the English league. Even though it was the first time, Diaz was able to show his best. Appearing in the position left by Sadio Mane, the fans forgot about Mane’s role when he played.
Holding the ball, piercing into the defense or stabbing from the left to the center, crossing from the left, running fast are the characteristics of Luis Diaz. Luiz twice did shoot on target, the other almost resulted in a goal. The performances of Luis Diaz and Jota indicate that Liverpool are really regenerating the trio in addition to strengthening their chances of winning a trophy at the end of the season. There is only one more player who may be being sought to be in Moh Salah’s position.
Like it or not, the Trio is about to reach its peak and it’s just a matter of time before it curves downwards. At that time, Liverpool will not panic to find a suitable replacement because regeneration has and is starting. In this match, Curtis Jones accompanied Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara in midfield. Curtis played mediocre even seemed to slow the attack. But he still trusted Klopp for 60 minutes.
Trust for Curtis by Jurgen Klopp is part of the player’s maturation. Curtis is a homegrown player who needs to be promoted for the long term for the Liverpool team. For now, Curtis was a nobody. But if the coach continues to trust to appear, then there is something that Curtis has that is being polished by Jurgen. We know that Juergen is certainly not arbitrary in lowering the line-up, because he knows the reason for playing Curtis. Harvey Elliot is another part of this game. Unlike Curtis, Elliot looks more agile and visionary in attack. Several times he performed brilliant stunts with Trent and Moh Salah.
His passing and good vision of play are the reasons why Jurgen Klopp believes him to be included in the main squad even though he is still very young. Elliot is another player who has the potential to become a rising star at Liverpool even for many years to come. Fabinho and Thiago need no mention. They are Liverpool’s life. There is no substitute for these two players. Maybe this is a PR for Liverpool for their regeneration project. Both are the reasons why Leicester are not able to develop their game. The duet of Van Dijk and Matip is also truly extraordinary. These two players seem to appear with the best conditions. In fact, both are creators of Liverpool’s second goal. Kasper’s header was parried by Van Dijk’s header and then Jota converted it into a goal. Matip provided the assist for Jota’s second goal. The two defenders were not only working hard to keep the goal but also trying to find the opponent’s goal when Robertson and Trent did not provide an assist. They made Alisson comfortable in guarding the Liverpool goal, which in this match made a crucial save.
Liverpool is in the process of regenerating considering the squad, the majority of which are players who are not young anymore. Gradually this team is in the regeneration stage but does not reduce the quality. The scheme and tactics of the game being played are in accordance with the character of the players, especially the young ones and their combination with senior players. Yes, we are witnessing Liverpool’s evolution at least in the game against Leicester City.
One thing that is interesting is that the Liverpool squad has zero injuries. All players are declared fit. This is an advantage for Liverpool in navigating the 4 competitions that are being followed. One of them is the Carabao Cup, for which Liverpool are already in the final. If Liverpool maintain the game like against Leicester, then there is hope for the first trophy of the season, namely the Carabao Cup.
ASL
