Back to basics works. Playing Wirtz as part of a front 3 works. Easing new players into our old system works. We can evolve from this. The press looks back on it, fitness looks better and the players know what is expected of them. New players have to earn the space in the team. While I was critical of Slot about the lack of everything after the Utd game. I have to applaud him now; he’s recognised the issues and addressed them. If he beats City, I might even forgive him for throwing the Palace game There will be more ups and down as we evolve. I accept that. I will never accept what we had become over the past few weeks. Hopefully, we have turned a corner now.
Isak misses start of season: We win 5 consecutive games. Isak returns: We go on record losing streak. Isak gets injured again: we start winning again. I'm noticing a pattern...
We have to appreciate that this is Bradley's first full season as a starter for Liverpool. Yesterday showed what he is capable of at his best, but it's a lot to ask for him to maintain that level for 2 matches a week.
So basically, the side from last night was the one that featured for most of last season, with the same shape, but with new faces only in place of those that actually left the club or who have sadly passed. We obviously tried to change too much, too soon and the side looked unbalanced and unlike a team. We just need to use that as a base and made incremental changes as the season goes on.
Only new signing that didn’t start compared to last few weeks was kerkez to be fair. But we played a normal midfield 3 which had a bigger impact than anything as previously been Szobo at RB to fit Wirtz into midfield and that’s hasn’t helped the balance.
Hopefully Bradley amd macallister can play 90mins now. Shifting people round to cover those two hasn't helped. If we can rely on an 11 now.and then you sre just asking people to come in. If you've 3 or 4 players struggling then its a huge issue but if we now have 10 say you.can carry a player coming in.l
When watching him it looks like he's been told to not overlap? But then Robbo does it all the time so is Kerkez unsure what to do?
What about the penalty shout? I thought no at first, then yes on the replay, then no after replay from a different angle, then yes from a still that's appeared online. It definitely hit his hand and it was in the penalty area. I'm not sure why the ball was given to the keeper for the restart though.
In terms of common sense, it was the right decision, but it opens an entire can of worms regarding the use of VAR.
If the ref vlew his whistle for a foul before the ball went out then he must restart somehow. If he only below up after it went oit then its a corner. If its a call of pen or no pen then var can get involved. Thry upgraded a free to a pen. Then they decided they could look at the handball and if it met their own threshold for deliberate For me.it did look close to being inside. Had to tell. As they do not have to announce to the crowd in the cl we are all then wondering. If its not in the area var should.not be involved and further review of the handball is not allowed. My guess is they upgraded to pen then looked at tje screen to see if tje handball was enough.