The opening match for the new season seemed to be going smoothly, but The Kop had to face a lot of difficulties, let’s see the problems that the Red Devils from Merseyside are having.
The first home game of the season offered a diverse array of events, didn’t it? We witnessed goals at both ends, a red card, shots against the woodwork, defensive mishaps, injuries, and a remarkable debut performance from a man of the match. Liverpool’s victory over Bournemouth was far from routine, but as they say in football, a win is a win, and it was crucial in this context.
The match provided numerous positives and also raised some concerns, leaving no one feeling comfortable throughout the entire 90 minutes for various reasons. Let’s examine the lessons learned from a hot and sticky afternoon at Anfield, a fitting description of Liverpool’s performance.
Rookies have a hard time on home debut
With Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai making their Anfield debuts, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation about how they would perform, and their afternoons couldn’t have been more contrasting. Mac Allister struggled in his role as the midfield pivot, and Bournemouth often breezed through our defense in the first half. Things took a turn for the worse as the Argentine was shown a red card early in the second half, a decision that left room for interpretation with Paul Tierney on VAR duty. Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Liverpool would appeal the decision, but it’s clear that Mac Allister hasn’t quite found his rhythm in this role.
The one who perfect heir to Gerrard’s legacy
On the other hand, Szoboszlai rightfully earned the man of the match accolade, occasionally igniting Anfield with his explosive speed, endless energy, and powerful right foot. The only minor criticism was his hesitation to take key shots, but that will come with time. His strike, which was parried by the goalkeeper, allowed Jota to score the third goal. Even when Liverpool went down to ten men, Szoboszlai often carried the ball up the pitch, including one sensational run down the right past two Bournemouth defenders. Liverpool appears to have a promising talent on their hands in Szoboszlai, a midfielder with a rich skill set.
Problems with the ‘Trent System’…
However, it’s important to note that this system doesn’t work effectively without the right personnel, especially when the player in question is not performing well. The vice-captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold, had a difficult game and, but for an offside flag, would have been responsible for conceding two goals in the opening ten minutes. Trent had a warning sign after a miscommunication with Allison, and the Kop’s cries of “wake up” grew louder. Unfortunately, his lackluster touch allowed Bournemouth to intercept the ball, leading to Jaidon Anthony opening the scoring. It has been a disappointing start to the season for a player around whom Liverpool has built their system. Questions will rightly continue to be asked during this period.
The forward line is still on fire
One thing we can always rely on is Liverpool’s attacking threat, which once again made the difference. All three of Liverpool’s attacking stars found the back of the net, including a moment of magic from Luis Diaz and a couple of follow-up goals from Mo Salah and Diogo Jota. While their performances might not have been as fluid as desired, with two games played and two goal contributions each, we can’t ask for much more at this stage. They all deserve credit for their defensive efforts and hard work when Liverpool went down to ten men, with Jota shining particularly brightly during this phase. The question of whether Salah should continue as the penalty taker can wait for another day.
There are still issues worth paying attention to
Another notable contrast came from those who entered, those who left, and those who shone under the Anfield sun. Endo had an impressive cameo, especially considering he hadn’t played a full match in the starting eleven yet. It would be surprising if the Japanese international doesn’t start against Newcastle.
Konate and Van Dijk were exceptional at the back, and Andy Robertson deserves special mention for his brilliant performance after recent scrutiny of his role. However, there were worrying moments, such as Diaz’s injury and Trent’s knock, compounded by an FA that seems unwilling to address any potential appeal from Mac Allister. In sum, this game can be aptly described as both pleasing and worrying.
