Liverpool continued to stumble towards the Premier League end line as they had been held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United.
West Ham 2-2 Liverpool
Premier League (35), London StadiumApril 27, 2024
Objectives: Bowen 43′, Antonio 77′; Robertson 48′, Areola OG 65′
Salah and Klopp conflict a horrible look
Everyone is totally conscious that Jurgen Klopp‘s last season in cost isn’t ending within the method it had been hoped for even three weeks in the past, however do we actually have to pile on additional negativity within the type of a beloved supervisor and his greatest participant having an argument on the touchline?
Regardless of the causes for Mohamed Salah‘s spat with the boss earlier than approaching, this disagreement wouldn’t have performed out so publicly in previous seasons.
Maybe the Egyptian feels his supervisor’s authority has been undermined by the very fact he’s about to depart, however his personal future on the membership below a brand new coach is hardly secured given his current performances.
Gravenberch exhibits promise once more
If Arne Slot is to proceed Liverpool’s upward trajectory subsequent season, then he might want to profit from the younger core of gamers at his disposal.
A type of who will certainly play a giant position is Ryan Gravenberch, who evidenced his immense potential with one other fantastic exhibiting right here.
The Dutchman gained 9 out of 13 floor duels and made seven recoveries to indicate that he’s greater than able to doing the soiled work within the midfield.
He additionally mixed that with finishing an unimaginable seven out of eight dribbles, creating two possibilities, and taking three photographs.
It has undoubtedly been a blended first season for Gravenberch at Liverpool however he’s simply 21 and alreayd beginning to present that he might show to be a shrewd acquisition.
Diaz sub an odd alternative
For all of the give attention to Liverpool’s struggles in assault of late, Luis Diaz ought to certainly be given partial immunity for criticism.
As has been the case on a number of events of late, the Colombian was far and away the most important risk within the Reds’ ahead line right here.
Three photographs, seven possibilities created, three dribbles accomplished and the help for Andy Robertson‘s equaliser – Diaz terrorised West Ham throughout the 90 minutes.
The truth is, the one draw back of his efficiency was that its ending, inexplicably early, triggered by Klopp’s determination to sub him off late within the recreation.
TNT’s lack of self consciousness stuns
It was fascinating to listen to TNT Sports activities’ commentary workforce spend everything of the primary half on the London Stadium bemoaning the shortage of tempo from each side.
However did Klopp’s favorite broadcaster ever cease to contemplate that they could have one thing to do with the entire absence of zip within the play?
TNT’s designated 12.30pm kick-off slot is commonly a assure of a poor environment within the stands and motion on the pitch that displays this, and that’s much more true when it pits two sides with little to play for up towards one another.
With that in thoughts, maybe their pundits ought to look nearer to dwelling when criticising the 2 units of gamers for not serving up a traditional after being pressured to eat pasta for his or her breakfast.
Battle not totally gone
As troublesome as it’s to understand the positives after one other disappointing outcome, it’s only honest to level out that issues might have been worse.
That’s as a result of, when Liverpool fell behind after a listless first-half efficiency, supporters might have been forgiven for fearing on the idea of current type that one other defeat was inevitable.
But it’s straightforward to neglect that, previous to this recreation, the Reds had picked up 27 factors from dropping positions to date this season, they usually had been clearly eager to indicate that their combating spirit has not been utterly extinguished.
That want manifested itself as a much-improved second half efficiency that must be acknowledged, even when it was undermined by the concession of a sloppy equaliser.