Manchester United brought Anfield back to earth on Sunday, well worth their point Premier League and almost stole a crushing victory against the high-flyers Liverpoolapart from Harry Maguire’s last-gasp miss.
Liverpool has a game less than second-placed Arsenal and can boast a six-point advantage, but Reuben Amorim he was happier than all the gaffers as he barreled down the M62 with a renewed sense of optimism.
Arne SlottTheir side have been formidable this season, recording a dynamic variation of wins across multiple competitions. They mostly play as chosen champions. They have that swagger, that style. But they’re not champions-elect – not yet.
A lot of football is about how you react. Liverpool have responded decisively to any setbacks this term and must do so again in the coming weeks, with Tottenham awaiting in the Carabao Cup and upcoming away games against Nottingham Forest and Brentford.
A slot is considered “tactical genius” by Liverpool fans, but he didn’t do very well against the Red Devils. Of course, he let him down, and then the man, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent’s performance against Man Utd
After Liverpool drew 2-2 against their arch-rivals, Slot insisted Alexander-Arnold had not been distracted by Real Madrid’s interest in his prized signature.
Out of contract at the end of the season and courted by the Spanish powerhouse, it’s hard to shake the thought that his misfortune on Sunday wasn’t in some way circumstantial.
He wasn’t at his best, not even half. Loose marking and a failure to show the grit and guts that a title-chasing outfit – his childhood outfit – requires, especially after their rivals dropped points on Saturday, especially given that Manchester United against them.
But then, this is surely being scaled back to show the bigger picture. Alexander-Arnold is an exceptional footballer and has shown his unique and devastating quality on so many occasions in Sloto’s lineup. Is it really surprising that now, with the spotlight shining on his watery eyes, he stumbled?
Real Madrid is there, lurking like a shadowy figure in a coat, waiting to emerge and take what it considers its own.
Regardless of how this plays out, Alexander-Arnold must have felt the presence of Los Blancos lurking in the back of his mind. He guessed himself, he looked sluggish.
United targeted Liverpool’s right side and fair play to them. It was a well-executed game plan, for sure. Alexander-Arnold failed to win any of his five tackles on the ground and created just one key pass (his the season average is 2.2 per game) despite losing the ball 27 times.
Many will be rooting for Conor Bradley to start in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final after his “lively cameo”, but not everyone from Slott’s bench made the desired impact.
Darwin Nunez he has left a lot to be desired despite his fleeting appearance, and there is also buzz around his future.
Liverpool open to mega-money sale of Nunez
Liverpool know their uncommitted signing trio could apply their elite skills elsewhere later this year, but they are not the only ones rumored to be on the move from Merseyside.
According to Football InsiderNunez has been made available for transfer by Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG are willing to accept £60m for his sale.
Whether anyone will pay this hefty sum remains to be seen, but Newcastle are reportedly interested and AC Milan have been snooping in recent weeks.
Why Liverpool should sell Darwin Nunez
Nunez’s first two campaigns at Liverpool were marred by profligacy in front of goal. However, the Uruguayan international improved last season, winning the Carabao Cup and scored 18 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.
Jurgen KloppFootball’s style of football was more chaotic than that of his successor, so perhaps Nunez’s own frenetic qualities were neatly matched, to the extent that Nunez’s style can be described as orderly.
Since Klopp signed Benfica’s Nunez a deal that rises to a club record £85mhe has scored 37 goals and recorded 20 assists over 120 performances.
Under Sloto, he found that his importance was reduced and his power reduced, with only four goals and three assists in the campaign so far. It is quite clear, despite Federico Chiesa, that he is at the bottom of the pile of talented Liverpool strikers.
The fluency of Liverpool’s attacking spot under Slott’s wing has seen a smooth interchange between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo in recent months, with Diaz operating as a fluid number nine and his Dutch partner wreaking havoc on the left flank, cutting inside to attack.
After doing so, Diaz wanders out, keeping the skeleton structure intact and drawing the defenders out, forcing them to hit.
No disrespect, Nunez just doesn’t show the necessary tactical understanding to play this role at the same level. Diogo Jotawhen introduced from the bench, is arguably Liverpool’s most lethal finisher, ranking in the top 7% of strikers across Europe over the past year for goals scored without penalties per 90, according to FBref.
Nunez is an energetic player, but is that really enough when his peers have rebounding qualities of their own, and more?
In Slot’s system, the 26-year-old isn’t so much wasteful as unable to hit as regularly. According to Sofascorehe is averaging 1.4 shots per game in the Premier League this term, a drop from his total figures in his first two campaigns on English shores, 3.0 and 2.9 respectively.
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Brought on for the last 30 minutes against Man United, Nunez had a big goal a total of three touchesnot even attempting a pass and picking up a yellow after running into Matthjis De Ligt – some might say the foul was worthy of another colour.
Alexander-Arnold was the most expensive Redman of the weekend, no doubt about that, but Nunez almost cost Liverpool another day with his erratic nature and inability to show the kind of control and link-up play that Slot will demand from him.
He’s a lovely guy and capable of roof-raising moments, but is this really worth it, Liverpool fans? Does Nunez elevate this exciting project, should it stay on the books for years to come?
Just imagine if Alexander Isak from Newcastle worked at the club. Liverpool have reportedly been linked in recent weeks. Why not break the bank?
Hey, if FSG are shelling out somewhere in the region of £60m for Nunez’s signature, there’s no reason – or excuse – not to throw your head forward in search of a brand new number nine to turn this exciting season into a long dynasty.
