Liverpool are inside touching distance of the Champions League final 16.
A sixth straight win within the competitors this season, secured by Mohamed Salah’s penalty, controversially awarded after a VAR verify for a foul on Luis Diaz, tightened Arne Slot’s grip on first place within the league section.
This was removed from Liverpool’s greatest show however Slot is unlikely to be involved. Right here, we analyse the foremost speaking factors.
Was that basically a penalty?
The sport’s key second got here simply after the hour when former Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek was adjudged to have fouled Diaz within the field simply after the hour mark.
Initially, referee Benoit Bastien had not seen match to take any motion on Van de Beek, who had stood on Diaz’s heel, eradicating his boot, earlier than hooking his leg round Diaz from an ungainly angle.
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It appeared a comfortable penalty, and was all of the extra stunning given Bastien had not taken motion on the sector, however Salah made no mistake from the spot, sending Paulo Gazzaniga the improper manner.
The choice mirrored a scrappy sport however Liverpool is not going to care. With the membership’s progress to the final 16 virtually assured, Slot ought to have some leeway to rotate his aspect of their ultimate two fixtures, providing essential respite throughout a busy January: in the event that they progress within the Carabao Cup subsequent week in opposition to Southampton n the quarter-finals, they’ll have eight fixtures that month. Rotation will probably be key to maintain gamers recent and keep away from accidents.
In a assured and composed method, Liverpool have put themselves in a snug place.
Nunez fluffs his massive likelihood
The sight of Diogo Jota participating in first-team coaching was welcome for everybody at Liverpool. Effectively, virtually everybody.
The Portugal worldwide, who has been lacking because the begin of October, is because of return to motion quickly and for Darwin Nunez, which may not be excellent news.
Throughout Jota’s absence, Nunez has rotated with Diaz within the No 9 function however has struggled to stake a declare for a daily beginning spot. The Uruguay worldwide has proven moments of promise and has improved his work price off the ball, however he has continued to be irritating in entrance of purpose.
In opposition to Girona, it was one other a type of nights that advised a participant is lurking in there someplace, solely to go away everybody dissatisfied.
It was summed up by a promising counter-attack that noticed a ball loop up in the direction of him seven yards out from purpose. He may have directed it goalwards or laid it off to one among his team-mates, however he bought the header all improper, barely brushing it, and the assault got here to nothing.
There have been additionally two one-on-one misses within the first half. Each have been created with some good preliminary motion, however on every event, Nunez failed to use the completion, with Gazzaniga in a position to save.
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The boldness appeared to maintain draining out of Nunez across the penalty field as the sport went on and he reduce a disconsolate determine as he made manner for Cody Gakpo within the 71st minute.
He’ll know that Jota will quickly have the prospect to reestablish himself as Liverpool’s first-choice centre-forward.
Alisson again with a bang
If Alisson hoped for a quiet return to motion following a two-month lay-off, Girona had different concepts.
The Brazilian goalkeeper had not performed since struggling a hamstring damage in opposition to Crystal Palace initially of October however was match sufficient for his first begin in Spain and confirmed no indicators of rustiness in opposition to a energetic residence staff.
His first save got here when he denied Bryan Gil, who was following up Daley Blind’s miskick from a few yards out. Two minutes later, Alisson, 32, was in motion once more to disclaim Gil, though the Girona attacker would in all probability have been referred to as offside if he had scored. Alejandro Frances and Yaser Asprilla additionally examined Alisson within the first half.
The saves underlined why Slot feels Alisson is his No 1 goalkeeper, regardless of Caoimhin Kelleher’s superb kind whereas he has been out, though the top coach might not have been joyful to see him so closely exercised.
Alisson was again in motion (Manaure Quintero/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Defensively, Liverpool have been uncovered by Girona’s pacy counter-attacks. They struggled to retain a compact form and their management was misplaced once they ceded possession. Girona ought to have scored within the first half and have been let down by poor ending within the second, too, notably when Arnaut Danjuma blazed over after bursting into the world. The previous Bournemouth winger additionally had a shot saved by Alisson earlier within the second interval.
This did at the least finish a run of 4 consecutive away video games the place Liverpool have conceded at the least two targets, though the defensive frailties nonetheless confirmed themselves. With out the injured Ibrahima Konate, work is required to resemble the formidable defensive outfit they have been away from residence initially of the season.
Alisson was additionally referred to as into motion to dam Bryan Gil’s effort (Josep Lago/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
“I stated as a joke that perhaps the gamers wished to see how match he actually was, so to present him a lot work,” Slot stated afterwards. “Alisson confirmed once more in the present day why I stated so many occasions that he’s our first goalkeeper and why he is among the greatest or, in my view, one of the best on the planet.”
What did Slot say?
Liverpool’s head coach was removed from joyful along with his staff’s efficiency, accusing his gamers of missing depth.
“When you play in opposition to a staff that has such a good suggestion about soccer, it’s worthwhile to be so intense if you wish to make it tough for them,” Slot stated. “However if you’re ready a couple of seconds to press them then this staff may cause you a number of issues. I virtually really feel sorry for them as they deserve a lot extra.
“We’ve an unbelievable goalkeeper. However the different factor is each time we misplaced the ball, we weren’t aggressive sufficient and so they may go virtually all the way in which to our purpose and have a shot. We had hardly any management at all around the sport.
“Perhaps the second half was a bit higher – I’m making an attempt to be constructive. However initially of the second half for perhaps the primary 5 or 10 minutes they went on a counter-attack one or two occasions.
“It wasn’t at all times simple for us to press them properly however I don’t suppose it had that a lot to do with techniques. On the whole we have been by far not aggressive sufficient with out the ball.”
What subsequent for Liverpool?
Saturday, December 14: Fulham (residence), Premier League, 3pm UK, 10am ET
Beneficial studying
- When may the Merseyside derby be replayed?
- Gerrard’s Olympiacos purpose, 20 years on
- Jon Moss: The right way to enhance VAR, Coote controversy and Klopp’s ‘gamechanging’ name
(Prime picture: Josep Lago/AFP by way of Getty Photographs))
Andrew Jones is a Employees Author for The Athletic overlaying Burnley FC and Liverpool FC. Having graduated from the College of Central Lancashire with a First Class Honours Diploma in Sports activities Journalism, Andrew has had written work printed for the Liverpool Echo, Chelsea FC and Preston North Finish. Comply with Andy on Twitter @adjones_journo