With Andoni iraola’s return to his former club and all the talk of his former squad playing high intensity it’s a big relief for all of us that Liverpool managed to find a way to a much needed three points before the Premier League pauses for the international break. It might not have been exciting with few real goal scoring chances created by either team but it took the players to stay in it and make one of the scarce chances count. So now that the noise has faded and what was needed completed we
will dig little deeper into the winners, losers and what it means.
Winners and Losers
We will start with the winners:
JEREMY JACQUET
This writer doesn’t feel it’s necessary to mention how 19 year-old Jacquet was an unknown to most Liverpool supporters before the start of the season anymore because Jacquet performs like he’s always been playing with the squad and in the Premier League. Obviously he can get even better but he already has all the tools from tough tackling, recovery speed, line breaking passes, aerial presence and big frame. With the overall muted excitement of the game Jacquet still managed to show all those tools and wonderfully used with skill and confidence.
RONALD ARAUJO
Yet another solid performance from the Uruguayan defender who followed opponents into the midfield to press, harry and create turnovers while also adventuring down the right in support of attacking moves. Araujo is proving to be a very dependable addition to the squad but also an encouraging force that keeps going until the final whistle.
CODY GAKPO
Starting on the very unnatural (to him) right-wing the Dutchman showed that he is fully committed to the cause whether on the right or his favorable left-wing and it was his bullish carrying of the ball which led to the moment we all needed and it proved to be the points earner in a chance starved match. Beyond that he did what most of the Reds did in the game and that was stay in it and persist plus, once switched back to the left, he did the usual ignoring of Milos Kerkez’s overlapping run (so normal that even the Bournemouth defenders ignored Kerkez too)
TREY NYONI
The midfield youngster deserves a mention because, in the minutes he played, Trey filled in those little spaces to break up attacks with several interceptions and the determination to help move the ball forward whenever possible. His attitude appears to be something Iraola trusts which was confirmed for this writer by the head coach putting him into the most intense minutes as Bournemouth tried to find a leveling goal. Trey is no longer a squad filler or fringe player even if he doesn’t start many games and the telling factor is that none of us Reds supporters feel nervous when his name is on the team sheet.
Now for the losers section:
THE COMMENTATORS
No names but there was a distinct targeting of certain players which included Alexander Iask and how Bournemouth’s striker Evanilson would be a much better player for us than Isak. I wonder how the 57 minute felt for them after all that talking?
Talking Tactics
Something that was apparent from the very start was Bournemouth’s tactic to target Kerkez and our left side with attack after attack being driven down that flank. That may well have been in part to do with the Brazilian Rayan who is their biggest threat while the dangerous left-winger Kroupi is still out injured. This writer thinks it’s fair to also say that with Araujo as a right-back many opponents will feel that’s a well locked down flank with Jacquet also as the right center-back.
The press from Iraola’s players was also lacking especially after witnessing it being executed so well against Spurs last Tuesday. That press from the front players is vital to the intensity Iraola demands because all the players follow the lead and push up the pitch engaging with any opponent attempting to collect the ball from their harassed defenders. It picked up significantly in the second half but in no way as fluid, intense nor unified as it should be. A half-hearted press is worse than no press because it creates a disconnect between the three units of attackers, midfielders and defenders so spaces open and teammates aren’t able to cover or support.
Dissecting the Narrative
Liverpool remain unbeaten in all competitions so far which is worth noting and it definitely feels like the team is moving in the right direction yet there is a narrative which may take a lot to shake off and it’s being put on particular player’s shoulders. That’s one of not being good enough and it isn’t helped by the money paid for some of them with Florian Wirtz seeming to be under the most intense scrutiny and this writer is worried that Bradley Barcola may also find himself facing the same if a goal doesn’t come soon.
Like with everything, once it becomes highlighted the bias tends to ignore any of the good moments but only see the moments that back up the narrative taken by the observer. That isn’t to say that those players don’t make poor mistakes and could do better but as with Gakpo, a player most supporters picked on continually last season, it’s worth taking a breath and allow the players work through any struggles with form.
What Happens Next
With the international break following this weekends fixtures it was feeling even more important for Liverpool to come away from Bournemouth’s ground with all three points before the squad breaks up. The fact that Arsenal and Chelsea both lost heightens the joy of winning and it’s interesting to see the rise of Brighton who are on a tremendous run of results but Man City (after a win against brave Sunderland) sit at the top and looking strong.
Most importantly for this writer is the fact Wirtz will get a break from any outside and inner pressure felt and spend some time in the man management wonder of Jurgen Klopp while our captain Virgil van Dijk will continue to silence the noise some people want to drum up about whether Virgil should retire from international football or not.
So we find ourselves with the daunting task of living without Liverpool to watch until the Premier League resumes and the Reds welcome the table toppers Man City to Anfield on the 11th October. It should be a beast of a game.
