The strongest version of Liverpool has returned
3 min read
The moment marked the revival of Liverpool
After the draw against Arsenal last weekend, coach Jurgen Klopp affirmed that Liverpool could completely defeat the Gunners if they took more chances.
Perhaps the German strategist wanted to remind about defender Trent Alexander-Arnold’s unbelievable miss in the 72nd minute when the British star hit the crossbar despite only having to face goalkeeper David Raya.
However, with what was shown against last season’s Premier League runner-up, especially with the complete dominance in the first 15 minutes of the second half, The Kop fans can be confident about a strong version of Liverpool, ready to welcome them. with any of the opponents actually returning.
The past year has been a bittersweet time for the Anfield team.
The Red Brigade started 2023 in a worse way when they were defeated by Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively. Not long after that, they continued to humiliate Real Madrid right at Anfield with a score of 5-2, thereby ending their ambitions in the Champions League.
Things didn’t go smoothly until Klopp’s team welcomed Arsenal in April. In fact, Liverpool seemed to be facing another embarrassing defeat right at Anfield when the Gunners suddenly led 2-0. after the first 30 minutes of the match. However, the moment Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka provoked Arnold became the starting point, sparking Liverpool’s strong rise later. Entering the second half, The Kop showed a spectacular “transformation” by continuously pressuring Mikel Arteta’s army and making the opponent have to divide points in a terrifying manner.
When returning to Merseyside last Sunday morning, Arsenal was considered even stronger than the version 6 months ago with a record contract named Declan Rice, but the Gunners still could not conquer the Red Brigade at the holy land of Anfield. after 11 years.
“One of the most unbelievable matches I have seen in the last 20 years,” Arteta said after the match. “Liverpool showed amazing class. They can create many miracles. It’s difficult to play against this team, they always make you give your all every time you face each other.”
From the moment midfielder Gabriel Magalhaes opened the score, the trio in Liverpool’s midfield, Wataru Endo – Dominik Szoboszlai – Curtis Jones, caused Arsenal’s midfield, rated as the best in the Premier League, to completely crumble. full.
The 90 minutes against the Gunners witnessed a sublime performance from Japanese star Endo. The former Stuttgart midfielder dominated the midfield with 42/48 successful passes (88% accuracy rate), 3 accurate tackles and 2 clearances.
The draw against the north London club was the 10th time Liverpool were behind this season, but The Kop were only defeated once in the above series and earned 19 points from a difficult position.
The defense also became the fulcrum that helped Liverpool dominate Arsenal when the central defender duo Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate did not let the Gunners strikers launch any on-target shots towards goalkeeper Alisson Becker in the second half. Among them, Konate is the most prominent player when the French star successfully completed 37/44 successful passes (84% accuracy rate), had 5 tackles and 2 successful shot blocks.
The injury that defender Kostas Tsimikas suffered after a dispute with Bukayo Saka may keep the Greek star away from the field for a long time, but the not bad performance of stuntman Joe Gomez can help Klopp feel secure before playing. Welcome back Andy Robertson at the end of January.
A point won against Arsenal at Anfield could disappoint Liverpool, but by creating a dominant position against the Premier League runner-up with a gradually stabilizing squad, Klopp’s team is proving they are ready for the challenge. race for a long-term championship in the near future.
