Player ratings: Wolves 0-1 Liverpool
Signs of recovery then, with two wins and two clean sheets on the bounce now. It wasn’t always pretty but, to use one of football’s cliches, the result is all that matters. Let’s see how the lads got on.
Alisson (6) – Fumbled a cross in the opening minutes and could have easily conceded a penalty in the aftermath. This must have been on his mind as he bizarrely chose to punch a simple catch later in the half, which almost led to a chance for Wolves. Made a couple of smart saves but not his best night.
TAA (6.5) – Trent‘s form has improved from the beginning of the season but he’s yet to perform at anything like the level we’ve seen from him the past two seasons. One nice cross to Mane for a diving header but didn’t offer too much attacking threat. Better defensively though, especially second half.
Phillips (8) – What a season this is turning into for Nat from a personal point of view. He’s gone from being surplus to requirements and not even named in the Champions league squad, to being the first name on the team sheet and in a rapidly developing relationship with 4ever red. Monster in the air, wins absolutely everything, including the header in the middle of the pitch that launched the attack for the goal. One brilliant clearance late on to deny Traore a strike at goal as well was enough to earn him this week’s McMOTM.
Kabak (7.5) – After a slightly ropey start to his LFC career, the kid has settled into the team now, he’s looked a lot more steady the past couple of games and seems to be building a good understanding with Nat. Positioning good for the most part, dealt brilliantly with a one v one situation with Traore second half and tried to bring the ball out from the back at times. Promising from the youngster.
Robertson (6) – Robbo’s been a bit more defensive minded, he hasn’t been marauding forward at every opportunity the way we’ve been used to which I suspect is partly by design and partly due to practically no rotation this season. One brilliant forward run but his delivery wasn’t on point when he did get forward. Good defensively though and kept Traore quiet for the majority of the second half.
Fabinho (7) – Our midfield is like night and day with Fabinho in it. In fact the whole team is. Our defence looks more assured, our midfield much more dominant and our attack looks more dangerous. The amount of interceptions he makes and the ease with which he dispossesses the opposition can’t be replicated by anyone else in our team. Has to stay in midfield moving forward this season.
Thiago (5) – After an excellent display against Leipzig, Thiago will have been hoping to build on that display but the two things you associate with Thiago – a sublime first touch and excellent passing range, seemed to totally desert him last night as the ball was bouncing off him and pass after pass went astray. Lots of niggly fouls led to the inevitable booking, which led to the inevitable substitution. No lack of effort or endeavour from him, just a surprising lack of quality on the night.
Wiinaldum (6) – Why won’t he shoot in a red shirt the way he does when he plays in orange? Had two very presentable shooting opportunities first half which he ignored and the chance was lost. Did play a nice through ball to release Mane, which Sadio should have scored from. Played on the periphery for most of the game however although did his defensive duties well.
Salah (6) – Huffed and puffed but never really managed a clear site at goal the whole game. Guilty of holding onto the ball too long and running into trouble although there were also a number of times he could have been played in behind with better service. Nice build up play leading to the goal though.
Jota (7) – It wasn’t alway working for him but I noticed his willingness to keep trying to dribble past players and make things happen – Something that has been painfully lacking from our forwards this season, Mane in particular. You need someone to do that against packed defences. Scored the winner and while poor goalkeeping no doubt played its part, that’s why you shoot early and low, before the keeper is set. Brazilian Ronaldo was the master or that and while Jota has some way to go to replicate his goal scoring exploits, I see no reason Diogo can’t develop into a 20 goal a season player for us.
Mane (7) – Should have scored when sent clean through and saw a diving header go narrowly wide. There also seems to be a theme recently with Mane choosing not to go down when it’s likely if he had, a penalty would have been awarded. I have mixed feelings about it, I appreciate his honesty but when the team is struggling for goals, I’m inclined to think you take what you can get. It’s been a strange season for Mane. Better display last night though I though, a few trademark changes of pace that have been lacking this season and got himself the assist for Jota’s goal after some nice build up with Salah.
Subs:
Milner (6) – Brought on to shore up the midfield.
Keita (6) – More minutes under his belt. The club are definitely taking a cautious approach to his fitness this time around. One final throw of the dice from the club I suspect. If injuries persist over the next 12 months he’ll be gone next summer.
Ox (6) – Looked a threat for the first time this season when he came on.
Kloppwatch (7) – Good to see a smile back on the gaffers face and he seems now to have found the defensive foundations required to allow the team to start playing properly again. Will likely be glad of the three week break now.
Summary
Green shoots of recovery then. Jurgen described it as a dirty three points but you need to play your way back into form, it doesn’t just turn on a sixpence but two wins and two clean sheets has got to do the lads confidence the world of good.
I normally dread the international breaks but assuming our injury curse doesn’t strike again, this one probably comes at a good time for us. It’s still unclear who will and won’t be joining up with their national teams, due to covid restrictions but the ones who do will get a change of scene and company and the ones that don’t will get a well earned few days off and some valuable time on the training pitch.
Five points off fourth place then. It’s certainly not unachievable. We’re more than capable of going on a winning run in the final weeks of the season and have a more favourable run in on paper than some of our rivals. It had to start with Wolves last night though, that was a big three points and hopefully the springboard required to finish the season on a high. Walk on!
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