By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com
In a title race outlined, in these early months no less than, by accidents, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have navigated their very own ongoing issues with nearly easy ease.
Regardless of Alisson, Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa all spending prolonged spells on the sidelines, the pinnacle coach has managed his squad successfully whereas overseeing 18 wins and a draw from his first 20 video games in cost.
These outcomes go away Liverpool 9 factors clear on the high of the Premier League, already certified for the subsequent spherical of the Champions League after 5 wins from 5 and into the League Cup quarter-finals, the place they’ll journey to Southampton.
In Slot’s phrases, accidents are seen by means of the lens of a facet’s outcomes, telling reporters final week: “I believe generally folks solely discuss accidents if the outcomes will not be there, so it’s factor that no person talked about our accidents. That implies that we bought our ends in.”
Quickly after, although, the narrative modified to a level with the absences of Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley confirmed, together with a setback within the restoration of Kostas Tsimikas. Konaté and Bradley will not be anticipated again till subsequent 12 months, whereas the sight of Tsimikas on crutches and carrying a protecting boot suggests the Greek is not going to return earlier than January both.
“5 defenders for 4 positions going right into a month like that is removed from preferrred,” Slot admitted earlier than Sunday’s conflict with Manchester Metropolis at Anfield – a degree when, regardless of their type, the therapy room turned so full folks lastly started to speak about Liverpool’s accidents.
With out his first-choice centre-back and with Trent Alexander-Arnold solely having simply returned from three weeks out with a hamstring damage, Slot was compelled to take dangers along with his again line in opposition to the reigning champions.
Alexander-Arnold was introduced straight again into the beginning lineup instead of his stand-in Bradley, whereas Joe Gomez was given the nod over teenager Jarell Quansah as companion to Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.
For the primary time for the reason that 5-2 loss to Actual Madrid at Anfield in February 2023, a again 4 lengthy thought-about Liverpool’s strongest was reunited within the beginning lineup: Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Gomez and Van Dijk at centre-back and Andy Robertson at left-back.
There would have been few considerations, then, a couple of lack of cohesion, however the method during which Liverpool’s defence reprised their robust type up in opposition to the likes of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and, later within the sport, the direct and harmful Jérémy Doku and Savinho, was a credit score to the dedication of 1 participant specifically.
Gomez was making his first Premier League begin of the season and his first of any type for the reason that finish of October, along with his solely two earlier begins beneath Slot coming within the League Cup in opposition to West Ham and Brighton. Previous to Sunday, he had clocked solely 84 minutes on the pitch within the league and Champions League mixed, averaging 14 minutes per outing.
However he was near-faultless as Liverpool suffocated Manchester Metropolis on their approach to a 2-0 win which, even on the idea of xG (3.57-0.84), ought to have ended with an much more convincing scoreline.
No Liverpool participant had extra touches of the ball than Gomez (79), who naturally additionally accomplished essentially the most passes (67/76) for a hit price of 88 p.c – the fifth-highest of any of Slot’s starters. He left the defensive actions to Van Dijk, who made a game-high 13 to his two, however led when it comes to ball recoveries (seven) and gained each of his duels (one within the air, one on the bottom).
Alexis Mac Allister (six) was the one Liverpool participant to make extra passes into the ultimate third than Gomez (5), whose remit alongside Van Dijk was in mopping up and progressing play whereas the captain shut down Haaland with ease.
It was a massively encouraging begin for a participant who was required to return in from the chilly – and can hopefully function a prelude to a significant run of begins as Gomez turns into one in every of Slot’s most vital gamers.
With Konaté, Bradley and Tsimikas all out, Liverpool are with out their main centre-back and their pure backups at right-back and left-back respectively.
That comes at first of a month the place the Reds will play eight extra instances throughout three competitions, and having opened up such a powerful lead over their Premier League rivals, the onus is on them to maintain the momentum going.
Whereas Slot had rotated successfully when nearly all of his defenders had been match – earlier than Sunday, no participant had been subbed off greater than Alexander-Arnold (9) and Robertson had not began greater than two video games in a row since mid-September – an absence of alternate options will now put strain on his still-fit starters.
With 5 defenders for 4 positions and Newcastle, Everton, Girona, Fulham, Southampton, Tottenham, Leicester and West Ham all to return within the area of 26 days (a sport each 3.25 days on common), Liverpool are lucky they’ve the equal of a skeleton key nonetheless match.
Gomez, who nearly joined Newcastle in a £45 million deal over the summer time and was disregarded of the primary sport of the season amid uncertainty over his future, is proficient in any respect three roles throughout the again line.
Although thought-about a pure centre-back, solely 106 of his 233 appearances for Liverpool have are available in that position; 93 have been as a right-back, 31 at left-back and three as a defensive midfielder. Below Slot to date this season, Gomez has performed 4 instances as a centre-back, 4 as a right-back and as soon as as a left-back.
That makes him a useful asset for the month forward and certain past, as first selection alongside Van Dijk but in addition a dependable choice to cowl for Robertson and Alexander-Arnold when their workload must be managed.
It’s a unusual coincidence for a participant who has so usually discovered himself on the fringes at Liverpool – by means of damage or the type of others – solely to show his worth time and time once more when referred to as upon.
(Pictures from IMAGO)
To maintain updated with the whole lot Liverpool, ensure you click on comply with on the workforce profile within the FotMob app. Obtain the free app right here.