There was a lot to admire about Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham, regardless of useful factors being dropped within the Premier League title race.
A draw at dwelling 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 a degree at Anfield, with Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota getting the targets 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) focus on the nice and the dangerous from the sport and focus on potential adjustments in opposition to Southampton in midweek.
The nice…
DAN: While a draw at Anfield won’t ever actually really feel like one thing value celebrating, not often will circumstances stack up so intensely that profitable appears like a insurmountable mountain to climb.
So to indicate the character, flexibility and resilience to discover a method again into the match twice and take a degree felt like an enormous constructive, particularly with at the least one different consequence getting in our favour considerably.
Slot’s in-game potential to make us the dominant drive in a contest is just good, much more so this time with a person drawback.
It was maybe his most stern check thus 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 dwelling 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 style by 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 acquired such a powerful efficiency out of his facet, in powerful circumstances, with the supervisor creating such a powerful mentality within the group.
The dangerous…
DAN: I don’t like criticising anybody in reality, however Robbo will likely be aware of simply how poor the purple card second was and the scrutiny he’s dealing with for his performances for the time being.
That stated, he’s been enjoying as our solely pure left-back possibility for a short while now and was actually Participant of the Match in midweek, so perhaps some slack must be reduce.
Trent may arguably do higher for each targets, and having single-handedly turned this precise fixture on its head final season, this wasn’t a efficiency of a lad enjoying 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 have vacated him momentarily. There have been one or two shaky moments the place I’d’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 have been busting a intestine way more, though perhaps 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 purple 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 occurring week in, week out, and never simply to Liverpool, it must be confused.
It’s one factor making errors with the bare eye, however for those who nonetheless get selections unsuitable with the advantage of know-how, it’s simply inexcusable.
And what number of adjustments vs. Southampton?
DAN: Hundreds! As a lot as I wish 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. Probably an hour for Jota, too.
There are additionally some large calls to be made round a couple of who may definitely 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 latest seasons.
I would like the Reds to undergo, after all, 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 night time off.
I’m excited to see Chiesa, earlier than he predictably will get one other harm!
So I’d go one thing like this: Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Nallo, Norris; Endo, Nyoni, Elliott; Chiesa, Nunez, Jota.
