There was a lot to admire about Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham, regardless of beneficial factors being dropped within the Premier League title race.
A draw at residence to lesser opposition feels grim usually, however a 10-man Reds facet did themselves proud on Saturday.
Liverpool twice got here from behind to get some extent at Anfield, with Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota getting the objectives for the hosts.
The truth that Arsenal may solely draw 0-0 with Everton on the Emirates additionally eased the blow of dropped factors.
Right here, Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) and Dan Clubbe (@dan_clubbe) talk about the great and the dangerous from the sport and talk about potential adjustments towards Southampton in midweek.
The great…
DAN: While a draw at Anfield won’t ever actually really feel like one thing price celebrating, not often will circumstances stack up so intensely that profitable looks like a insurmountable mountain to climb.
So to indicate the character, flexibility and resilience to discover a manner again into the match twice and take some extent felt like an enormous constructive, particularly with not less than one different outcome getting in our favour considerably.
Slot’s in-game means to make us the dominant pressure in a contest is solely good, much more so this time with a person drawback.
It was maybe his most stern take a look at so far at half-time and he handed it with flying colors.
Then there’s Ryan Gravenberch.
From being a participant who was seemingly struggling to discover a common residence in our midfield, he’s now a participant who not solely excels each week on the base of a very powerful a part of the pitch however yesterday put in a Rolls-Royce show as a centre-back/midfield hybrid.
His enchancment this season has been exceptional and this was a efficiency of an all spherical, skilled operator who has been doing it for years and years.
HENRY: I couldn’t agree extra with Dan on Gravenberch – he was unbelievable!
The way through which he seamlessly slotted in at centre-back was fairly particular and he was additionally good when again in midfield within the second.
Slot continues to impress, too, even when the choice to play Gakpo at left-back didn’t work!
He bought such a powerful efficiency out of his facet, in robust circumstances, with the supervisor creating such a powerful mentality within the group.
The dangerous…
DAN: I don’t like criticising anybody in fact, however Robbo will likely be conscious about simply how poor the pink card second was and the scrutiny he’s going through for his performances for the time being.
That stated, he’s been taking part in as our solely pure left-back choice for a short while now and was actually Participant of the Match in midweek, so possibly some slack must be minimize.
Trent may arguably do higher for each objectives, and having single-handedly turned this actual fixture on its head final season, this wasn’t a efficiency of a lad taking part in on the prime of his recreation or one who has what it takes in him to seize a match by the scruff of the neck and run it.
I particularly hate criticising youthful gamers, however there’s one thing lacking with Quansah each time he steps on the pitch.
An assurance that he possessed final season appears to be like to have vacated him momentarily. There have been one or two shaky moments the place I might’ve anticipated him to manage higher given what’s gone earlier than.
As for the PGMOL, don’t get me began!
HENRY: I’m with Dan on Robbo. He’s been such an ideal servant, however he actually is trying like a shadow of the participant he was.
That’s to not say he hasn’t had good video games this season, however his legs are going and there are merely extra errors creeping into his recreation.
Trent’s physique language actually irritated me, too. It felt like others had been busting a intestine way more, though possibly I’m being harsh.
Dan didn’t actually go into the PGMOL, so I’ll!
This was one other shambolic efficiency by each Tony Harrington and VAR – how wasn’t Pereira proven a pink card?
Gomez was clearly fouled within the space, too, and there’s a powerful argument to say that Diop must also have been sent-off.
These horrible calls are taking place week in, week out, and never simply to Liverpool, it must be pressured.
It’s one factor making errors with the bare eye, however when you nonetheless get selections incorrect with the advantage of know-how, it’s simply inexcusable.
And what number of adjustments vs. Southampton?
DAN: Masses! As a lot as I need to advance, the squad is being pushed to its limits somewhat with accidents, health and suspensions.
That is one for the likes of Kelleher, Quansah, Morton, Endo, Chiesa and Elliott. Presumably an hour for Jota, too.
There are additionally some massive calls to be made round a number of who may actually do with an evening off, however there aren’t precisely a wealth of senior potential replacements.
Nyoni, Nallo, Norris and Danns must be getting minutes in some capability.
My XI: Kelleher, Gomez, Quansah, VVD, Norris; Endo, Morton, Elliott; Chiesa, Nunez, Jota.
HENRY: I completely agree right here – this can’t be handled as a precedence, with lengthy home cup runs arguably hurting Liverpool’s title cost in some current seasons.
I need the Reds to undergo, in fact, however we are able to’t have a powerful XI on present right here.
I’d begin all of people who Dan mentions above, and provides a number of key gamers the evening off.
I’m excited to see Chiesa, earlier than he predictably will get one other damage!
So I might go one thing like this: Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Nallo, Norris; Endo, Nyoni, Elliott; Chiesa, Nunez, Jota.
