Hello there, 

Crystal Palace 4-3

Frankly, it reminded me of this classic George Costanza scene

Perhaps that is a bit extreme but it did feel very much like the good old Brendan Rodgers days, or perhaps more specifically the pre Virgil van Dijk days which I will dub B.VVD. (befitting of such a messianic figure).

Defensive anxiety at Anfield is something we have not had to deal with too often A.VVD. Credit to Crystal Palace for causing it, the pure pace of Wilfred Zaha was too much for James Milner deputising at right back, which eventually led to our Vice Captain being sent off having received two yellow cards. On the face of it may be a night for Jimmy M to forget, but he did contribute a vital assist along with being our best attacking player in the first half.

Nevertheless our attacking trio of Mo, Mane and Bobby took their chances very well – if not for some fortunate deflections and goal keeping errors. Sadio’s combination with Andy Robertson to get our fourth to seal the game was excellent. That play perfectly sums up our Scottish favourite who signed a long term deal with the club this week.

As long as this does not become a pattern, we will be OK. However, I’m afraid we may have reached a pattern, having conceeded in 3 of our last 4 home Premier League matches and also our two losses to Man City and Wolves. Is this the George Costanza complex or reality? Conceeding 3 goals in the manner we did on the weekend no doubt gives the monkey on our back some oxygen, but is it warranted?

Ultimately and rationally I do not think so. We have the best defensive record of the last 5 champions (after 23 games) with 9 of our 13 goals conceeded coming in victories. From a tactical/strategic perspective Townsend’s first half goal was due to an overpress. Clearly McArthur did exceptionally well to extricate himself out of that situation but it left Henderson and Naby Keita horribly out of position. This I am sure would have been very disappointing for Klopp as it reflected perhaps a lack of maturity which was a key in our Brighton triumph a week earlier. The absence of maturity is what feeds the monkey.

The clear benefit of being out of both cup competitions is now the ten day break the lads will have leading to our home clash with Leicester. This has come at a perfect time of the campaign. These ten days will be Jurgen’s most important as manager of Liverpool.

Leicester is almost the perfect opponent to test our mettle against. Still clearly an excellent counter attacking side capable of toppling any opponent, look no further than their result against Man City. If we conceede more than 1 goal against the Foxes, the monkey will become louder – regardless of the result.

Personnel wise, a returning Joe Gomez will be a welcomed sight. His calmness, speed and control on the ball is crucial to maintaining our mature outlook. Matip and Lovren are serviceable, but Gomez adds to the side.

Naby has clearly not set the world on fire, but I feel most of the reactions have been widely unwarranted. He is not a flop, yet. He has started 9 of 23 Premier League matches half of which occured in the first 6/7 weeks of the league. Hardly a good data set to declare him a flop. The way he plays, with his head up and a burst of speed will hold him in good stead in his Liverpool career. I’ve got little doubt he will click with the team in the next 2 – 3 months.

Of late he has been deployed wide in a 4-2-3-1 which is clearly not his best position, a position more suited to Xherdan Shaqiri. In a midfield 3, Keita will thrive as he did on the opening day against West Ham.

As far as the January transfer window is concerned; I do not think it is a priority. I question the Clyne release on loan and hope it does not become an issue if TAA and/or Gomez have extended periods on the sideline. Only time will tell.