Home Football Watford 3-3 Liverpool: 5 things we learned

Watford 3-3 Liverpool: 5 things we learned

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3) Liverpool lacking the energy and creativity in midfield

Watford 3-3 Liverpool: 5 things we learned 1

All the buzz around Anfield has been to do with Coutinho missing this game. Yes, the Brazilian was missed for his creativity and ability to create something special, but Adam Lallana was also dearly missed for Klopp today. His pressing energy as part of the midfield three is integral to how Liverpool play, and without it, the midfield appeared sluggish. Emre Can had a good game, but Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum were both poor, with the latter being completely invisible in the first half in particular. Jurgen Klopp revealed this week that he is targeting another midfielder before the end of the transfer window. It would be ideal for him to bring an extra guy in to add some more options and energy into midfield. There seemed to be an inability, particularly in the first half, to get the front 3 involved, and that needs to be addressed.

4) Poor substitutions cost Liverpool

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Jurgen Klopp’s substitution choices today were poor. Leading with 20 minutes to go, all 3 subs made by the manager made Liverpool a worse-off team. Divock Origi offers very little going forward for Liverpool and has done for quite a long time now, it would’ve been more beneficial for Klopp to bring on an extra body in midfield or even young striker Dom Solanke to freshen things up. James Milner for Mo Salah on 86′ seemed like a wiser choice, but then the decision to bring on Joe Gomez for Trent Alexander-Arnold was both unnecessary and fatal. Trent had had a great game. He had been good defensively and also going forward (particularly with his set-piece delivery), and there was no need to bring him off. Joe Gomez has had very few Premier League minutes and it was a big risk to bring him off with an important game in the balance.

5) Mignolet no.1 spot is not guaranteed

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Just a couple of shaky moments today once again threw Simon Mignolet’s position as Liverpool no.1 goalkeeper into doubt. One particular incident in the second half with himself and Dejan Lovren was a big let-off. The goalkeeping position is not one that Liverpool have seen to be a priority this summer due to the good performances from Mignolet last season. But they have Loris Karius and Danny Ward waiting in the wings for their chance to impress over the course of the season. If Mignolet continues to prove that he is untrustworthy between the sticks, he may succumb to other choices in the squad.

 

By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10

 

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