Match Day Thread Arsenal v liverpool

Melo is out with a thigh injury. Jones is back training.

https://theathletic.com/3667443/2022/10/07/arthur-melo-curtis-jones-liverpool/
Apologies you might not have the Athletic sub

 

As Liverpool step up preparations for their Premier League meeting with Arsenal, there is concern regarding Thiago‘s availability, but Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones are both closing in on match action.
Thiago concern as Robertson & Jones return - Latest Liverpool FC News - Liverpool FC - This Is Anfield

 

Bit on sky about ‘what’s gone wrong at lfc’. Most of it a load of waffle but one thing was interesting was the average position map comparison between Brighton game and rangers game.

You’d think given we were so dominant that TAA would still be pushed up high. But it’s essentially a back 5 of vvd thiago Hendo Matip TAA. Then a front 5 of tsimikas Diaz Jota junez Salah. Gave us much more stability when they did win the ball and try break/play long ball forward we still had numbers back to win the ball.

If someone can post the pic will make sense.

 

On sky?
There were less gaps between our players so they could support each other.

It was only when milner got on that we really lost shape imo. He was off whereever and gaps opened up

 

On sky sport website - article about it

 

Arsenal only lost one game at home this season. Liverpool have not won away game this season and yet to beat any London club. Tough call.

 

Uh oh. If Robertson starts instead of Tsimi we might lose.

/ Never lose when Tsimi starts.

 

I really hope we play the same formation as Tuesday and am quite happy to see us sit back and hit on the break

 

Think I'd prefer to see Bobby over Jota to make it more of a 4231

 

Really depend on what sort of Bobby tips up.

The skillful magician Bobby, or his twin who can't seem to pass a ball, or run with the ball or tackle

 

2 in midfield we play into Arsenal hand.

 

What I said would be five midfielders...

 

Again this graphic clearly shows the massive gaps being left behind trent.

Matip is being left a full quarter of the pitch on his own.

Rcm indiscipline and rb indiscipline just going wherever when we have the ball.

 

I am with you. If we defend very well, we can get something out of the game.

 

Bobby has only really flourished this season inside the box so that would suggest dropping Nunez and playing Jota / Elliott / Carvalho behind him .

 

Think those pictures don’t tell the story
Take Trent as an example only a marginal difference in his average position

 

The high pressing game works when we have fit young players on top of their game but as the players get older there's more scope for it to fail.we've had a few seasons of playing the high press but now we need a new way or fresher players. Ergo a new style of playing coz we ain't splashing the cash.

 

Yes but it’s not about Trent. It’s about Hendo/thiago. Those two are much deeper so there isn’t a huge gap Between Matip/TAA as Hendo has tucked in.

with 4 up front it means we don’t need midfielders to try push up to be creative so they can sit deeper and allow the 4 forwards and 1 full back to be the main attacking threat.

 

This Arsenal game has come at the right time. After a bad time in the league, we needed that morale boosting win in the CL albeit against the minnows of Rangers. It’s still a win. Arsenal are at the top but if truth be told they are in a false position. They have only played bottom half and middle league teams and lost when they played a better team in the mancs. No way are they the best team in the league. LFC will have a hard game but we desperately need that win if we have aspirations for the title. This match will be a turning point for us. TAA has to be cautious moving too far forward and Henderson Fab Thiago will need to strangle their midfield. Martinelli will be their key man so will need looking after closely. It would be the right time for Salah to up his game this season.

Tough 1-2 to us. Salah Diaz.