TOTL for Christmas. I’ll take that. Or Have-that.
Given our recent history at Anfield it’s hard to begrudge leaving there with a point. The team selects itself these days. But it was always going to be a tough day for Zinny. More on that later.
We started this game well. We had a chance within 30 seconds. We pressed them high and stayed on the front-foot. Within a few minutes Gabriel had the ball in the net. You just knew that VAR would rule it out but amazingly the goal stood. And it did not take a lifetime to decide either.
For most of the first half we looked like a proper team going toe-to-toe with them. We controlled a lot of the play and created openings but no clear opportunities. Not until Saka broke through and the ball landed at Martinelli’s feet. But as against Brighton, he missed the target with two defenders on the line. That was our turning point.
This was an intense game, hotly contested and high quality. It’s just a shame that Liverpool didn’t play like they did against United last week. We acquitted ourselves pretty well throughout. Our center halves were outstanding. Saliba was at his majestic best and Garbiel – aside from being our goal scorer – was dominant. On the right White was exposed once or twice but thankfully Saliba covered for him
And then there is poor old Zinny. Of course, people will laud over Alexander-Arnolds passing range, but Zinny made so many poor choices on this play. He dropped too deep and meant we could not catch Salah off-side. He misjudged the flight of the ball and then let him dance round him like we was not there. As much as i’d like to fault Raya I can’t. This was on Zinny.
We knew though this would be our achilles heel. We knew their best attacker was against our worst defender. There was a sense of inevitability about this match-up. So as annoying as it was, it was not too surprising. What was surprising is that Arteta kept him out there for the full 90 minutes. In many ways Zinny is our Alexendar-Arnold; he is our liability when defending, our weak link, but often at the core of our creativity. Maybe that’s a slight exaggeration.
Unfortunately in front of him, Martinelli failed to deliver. Aside from the chance discussed above, he lost possession in dangerous places and failed to pose any threat He feels like he’s been off his game now for a while. We were more threatening as soon as Trossard replaced him. In important games such as these we need Martinelli to turn up and he did not today. And his (many) mistakes nearly cost us.
On the other side, Saka worked hard and created chances. Too often though no-one (I.e. Martinelli) was anticipating and make the runs into the box. Of course, Saka was fouled often but yet he managed to pick up a yellow card. Partly that was a result of him destroying Tsimikas followed by Klopp squashing the Greek.
Odegaard flitted around, making himself available and connecting our play together. He turned up today. He chased and worked so hard. Even if he did handle the ball in the penalty area; this was one time VAR did not harm us. Along with the majestical Rice, Odegaard combined to fuel our play. Have-that, again, slotted in alongside them. Of course with Martinelli in front and Zinny behind him, he is not in an ideal situation. But he also help keep possession and link up our play.
Rice was the dominant player. So often chasing back, making vital tackles or intercepting crosses. As brilliant as he is, he seems to get better with every game. Even if he did pick up another yellow card today.
For all the skill and intensity on display neither goalkeeper was continuously tested today. Raya barely had any saves to make. The crossbar had our most important one. After Zinny had taken out Odegaard on the edge of their areas they brought 4 on 1 and someone AA found a way to win the crossbar challenge at the expense of their second goal.
As much as Liverpool turned up the intensity and pressing in the second half, they did not deserve to win. And, in the last 15 minutes, we found our way back into the game, started to control it and seemed the more likely winners. But, overall, I think, a draw was a reasonable and fair result
This was a game we could not lose. In previous years we surely would have. We would have caved into the pressure, the intensity and ended-up losing 4-0. But with Rice in this team we genuinely have a backbone. And then we have Saliba behind him. If both of these were in their team they would win the league. Fortunately they are with us though.
Today we suffered because of Zinny and Martinelli. Everyone else turned up. But to win this league we need everyone pulling their weight. We also need a stronger bench. Have-that picked up another card so we’ll have to play Jorghino or ESR against West Ham.
So we enter Christmas top of the tree. and the window will open in just over a week. Hopefully we find a couple of players to support our midfield and defense. You know we’re short of players when Cedric is on the bench at Anfield. We just have to retain the momentum at home on Thursday and then we can get to the half way point still TOTL.
-LB7