For 83 minutes, most inside Anfield or these sat watching on sofas across the nation have been able to label this a ‘borefest’.
Two title challengers going face to face early within the season with two wins from two, a draw would have been no disaster and it could have saved the direct rival for the championship at arm’s size.
However Liverpool and Arne Slot, as we realized on Monday in Newcastle with the clock ticking in direction of 100 minutes, don’t do attracts.
Why accept some extent when you’ll be able to push for all three? You do not win the Premier League with that mentality, after all.
So it’s Slot and Co who head into the primary worldwide break as the one staff within the division with most factors. The champions, once more, seem like the staff to beat after Dominik Szoboszlai’s late free-kick winner noticed them beat Arsenal.
Every day Mail Sport‘s Lewis Steele assesses the important thing speaking factors from the Reds camp…
Liverpool look the staff to beat once more after clinching a last-gasp victory in opposition to Arsenal
Arne Slot’s facet do not do attracts they usually have been decided to push for all three factors
Is Szoboszlai the reply to lacking Alexander-Arnold?
One downside Liverpool have had this season is the query over tips on how to change Trent Alexander-Arnold’s creativity and unorthodox type from proper again.
Is it by Florian Wirtz in midfield? Can or not it’s by Hugo Ekitike dropping deep? Will the brand new flying full backs give them a special dynamic?
All these questions nonetheless stand however now we will say Szoboszlai, although not a proper again by commerce, has simply put in two stellar shifts within the again 4, each in a defensive and attacking sense.
The Hungary captain could have scored probably the greatest free-kicks in current reminiscence however this total efficiency additionally made one marvel: may Szoboszlai be a sensible selection at full again even when Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are match?
It’s actually one thing to contemplate. He was strong in opposition to Newcastle and glorious on this win over Arsenal. He received 100 per cent of his duels and tackles, made 5 recoveries and 6 clearances, with a 92 per cent go completion fee.
Whether or not he’s a sensible possibility or not, there’s one factor for sure: Szoboszlai is extraordinarily vital to this staff wherever he performs.
When requested about him after the sport, Slot mentioned: ‘Dominik has at all times been the participant that… he understands what a Liverpool participant ought to seem like. Give 100 per cent if you happen to put on this shirt. Right this moment he did nothing incorrect, in a brand new place.
‘It tells you about his mentality.’
Dominik Szoboszlai ably stepped in at proper again and received 100 per cent of his tackles and duels
Szoboszlai could also be a sensible proper again possibility alongside Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley
Konate and Kerkez silence doubters
There was a whole lot of chatter this week about Liverpool’s defence from followers and the media – Every day Mail Sport included! – and it was truthful.
The Reds had conceded two objectives in each sport they’d performed this season together with the Group Protect they usually have been transport possibilities.
However this rearguard show was pretty much as good, if not higher, than the defensive performances that laid the foundations for his or her title-winning marketing campaign final 12 months. And two performances stood out specifically in every week that they’d been criticised.
Ibrahima Konate, who was ‘not on the races’ in accordance with Jamie Carragher final week, was imperious. The Frenchman bullied the massive striker Viktor Gyokeres, who barely had a sniff due to Konate’s defensive play.
It was a disgrace to see Konate limp off injured within the second half however the participant is hopeful that it’s nothing greater than cramp.
The identical reward have to be given to Milos Kerkez who has had an iffy begin to his Liverpool profession after a £40million transfer from Bournemouth. Towards Arsenal, although, the Hungarian appeared like a shrewd signing.
He was purchased for his attacking energy however the 21-year-old caught the attention right here together with his defensive potential. Noni Madueke, the short and direct Arsenal winger, ran at him time and time once more – however Kerkez got here out on high.
Whereas on the subject of defenders, we should reserve a phrase for Joe Gomez. Liverpool’s longest-serving participant is missing match sharpness and there’s discuss over his future with golf equipment eager on signing him however the Englishman put in a top-quality cameo right here.
Ibrahima Konate was imperious and bullied Viktor Gyokeres, who did not get a sniff
Milos Kerkez has had an iffy begin to life on the membership however he received the higher of Noni Madueke
However can Wirtz nonetheless do extra?
Completely.
Wirtz dazzled in pre-season and left some to tip him for Premier League participant of the season however after three video games, he has appeared slightly common.
Not essentially unhealthy, simply not efficient but.
The German is aware of the highlight is on him extra in England and remains to be discovering his ft on this league – so it’s truthful to say we could possibly make a extra rounded judgment on Wirtz after the following spherical of fixtures in between worldwide breaks.
Requested if he went off injured when he virtually crawled off the pitch with cramp, Slot mentioned: ‘It wasn’t harm. It was a “welcome to the Premier League”. After 85 minutes, I do not assume he knew he may have cramps in so many alternative locations!’
