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A step up for the Reds as their league losing streak was halted, but in truth it was far from enough of an improvement as Liverpool drew 0-0 with Chelsea.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Premier League (19), Anfield
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Alison Becker – 8 (out of 10)
Made a brilliant save on his line to beat Badiashil and was very authoritative in the air after the visitors threatened the first few times from set pieces.
Quick off his line, did what he had to do.
His first clean sheet in the league since October against West Ham 10 games ago.
James Milner – 6
The canopy was questionable, to say the least, but he showed well defensively in the few one-on-ones he had in the first half.
Engaged in good build-up play down the right and tried to block Salah when possible.
There was a clear speed problem as soon as Mudryk stepped onto the field and he took the early warning as a welcome to the Premier League. He narrowly missed out as the Ukrainian had two chances from the overhang before Milly was substituted.
Ibrahim Konate – 8
Overall handled Havertz well in the first half and played well defensively.
Consistently capable of making important and necessary interceptions and generally performing well.
At times he followed Havertz into midfield and drew a few fouls to ensure he didn’t run behind him.
Joe Gomez — 8 — Man of the match
He handled the ball a little sloppily and sloppily early on, like some of his teammates, and committed a couple of unnecessary fouls that put the Reds under pressure.
But he also quickly regained his position, confidently held his own in the air, and in the second half quickly got out from under the defense and continued to put pressure on Chelsea.
Protected well twice by Gallagher into the box and made a Matip-esque adventure before blocking a vital Ziyech strike. Now he needs consistency.
Andy Robertson – 8
The only real outlet in the first half with his forays down the flank.
It was good because he played with speed and made some good exchanges for open space, but also bad because his final pass missed or went the wrong way every time, although he also almost scored.
Great battle with Zich all game and a decisive late block by Chukwuemek.
Stefan Baychetich – 8
He certainly deserved to be left out and was a strong player in the heart of midfield, winning several caps, but more importantly he was quick to get into good positions when the Reds lost possession and handled the ball well himself.
A few body movements stylishly moved opponents out of the way and he was also useful in the air in both halves of the pitch.
Naby Keita – 7
Started the season in League One and played quite well – not too dramatic with the ball and sloppy with a lot of passing, but diligent with his positional play, industriousness in the channels and a moment or two when he forced the situation in attack. .
Never a game that should have won the game, but most importantly given the midfield issues this season, not a game to lose either.
Thiago Alcantara – 8
At the same time, the best midfielder on the pitch and the most risky. Some great changes in direction of play and always our main driver through the center but we played too many dangerous balls that were intercepted.
It’s a very dynamic game and it was good to see some real pressure created by a midfield that works better without the ball and Thiago played a key role in that.
Mohamed Salah – 6
It was really quiet for most of the first half as we didn’t really get it going, but then we had two great moments: an aerial shot and a curling shot many miles away.
He was more involved in the second half of our game and had a few other discoveries, but he was far from retro Mo; why can’t he beat a man anymore?!
Cody Gakpo – 6
He was quiet at first, but became much more involved after he went wandering into the deeper regions.
The highlights were a couple of wins in the air to keep the movement going and some clever moments in the group, but he also earned a toss after a push and mastery outside Chelsea penalty zone.
Biggest goal threat, but not consistent and not clinical – random shots.
Harvey Elliott – 6
His midweek win was enough to earn him a starting place here, this time playing on the left wing. Sent in one good cross but was otherwise more of short passes and hard work to hold position.
I went into central midfield for the last half hour and the team play really suffered.
Substitutes
Darwin Nunes (off for Keita, 61′) – 7 – Brought energy and a few moments, but no skill.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (off for Milner, 71′) – 6 – Draws a good chance over the bar.
Jordan Henderson (off for Elliott, 81′) – n/a – A good shot down the right flank, but not the best ball.
Curtis Jones (came out instead Gakpo, 81′) – n/a – Several runs fouled after he was not fouled on the edge of the box.
Fabinho (in for Baisetic, 81′) – n/a – We almost lost the game because of an inaccurate pass from outside the penalty area.
Unused substitutes: Kelleher, Matip, Tsimikas, Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Jurgen Klopp – 7
His 1000th playing as a manager and possibly entering the top ten most disappointing.
It was about time the boss cut out the stragglers and this time he did, with Hendo, Matip, Trent and Fabinho among those not back in the XI.
The reward was a much more stable game without possession, a team that looked more cohesive in defence, albeit not at full speed with the ball.
As for the substitutions, they probably came in time, although it didn’t work out to leave Elliott in the middle.
The end of the game was completely chaotic, with no control from either side, with the boss mostly berating the referees for not letting in a touch “reds”.
Overall he made the right decisions but the quality wasn’t enough to win points.
A step up for the Reds as their league losing streak was halted, but in truth it was far from enough of an improvement as Liverpool drew 0-0 with Chelsea.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Premier League (19), Anfield
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Alison Becker – 8 (out of 10)
Made a brilliant save on his line to beat Badiashil and was very authoritative in the air after the visitors threatened the first few times from set pieces.
Quick off his line, did what he had to do.
His first clean sheet in the league since October against West Ham 10 games ago.
James Milner – 6
The canopy was questionable, to say the least, but he showed well defensively in the few one-on-ones he had in the first half.
Engaged in good build-up play down the right and tried to block Salah when possible.
There was a clear speed problem as soon as Mudryk stepped onto the field and he took the early warning as a welcome to the Premier League. He narrowly missed out as the Ukrainian had two chances from the overhang before Milly was substituted.
Ibrahim Konate – 8
Overall handled Havertz well in the first half and played well defensively.
Consistently capable of making important and necessary interceptions and generally performing well.
At times he followed Havertz into midfield and drew a few fouls to ensure he didn’t run behind him.
Joe Gomez — 8 — Man of the match
He handled the ball a little sloppily and sloppily early on, like some of his teammates, and committed a couple of unnecessary fouls that put the Reds under pressure.
But he also quickly regained his position, confidently held his own in the air, and in the second half quickly got out from under the defense and continued to put pressure on Chelsea.
Protected well twice by Gallagher into the box and made a Matip-esque adventure before blocking a vital Ziyech strike. Now he needs consistency.
Andy Robertson – 8
The only real outlet in the first half with his forays down the flank.
It was good because he played with speed and made some good exchanges for open space, but also bad because his final pass missed or went the wrong way every time, although he also almost scored.
Great battle with Zich all game and a decisive late block by Chukwuemek.
Stefan Baychetich – 8
He certainly deserved to be left out and was a strong player in the heart of midfield, winning several caps, but more importantly he was quick to get into good positions when the Reds lost possession and handled the ball well himself.
A few body movements stylishly moved opponents out of the way and he was also useful in the air in both halves of the pitch.
Naby Keita – 7
Started the season in League One and played quite well – not too dramatic with the ball and sloppy with a lot of passing, but diligent with his positional play, industriousness in the channels and a moment or two when he forced the situation in attack. .
Never a game that should have won the game, but most importantly given the midfield issues this season, not a game to lose either.
Thiago Alcantara – 8
At the same time, the best midfielder on the pitch and the most risky. Some great changes in direction of play and always our main driver through the center but we played too many dangerous balls that were intercepted.
It’s a very dynamic game and it was good to see some real pressure created by a midfield that works better without the ball and Thiago played a key role in that.
Mohamed Salah – 6
It was really quiet for most of the first half as we didn’t really get it going, but then we had two great moments: an aerial shot and a curling shot many miles away.
He was more involved in the second half of our game and had a few other discoveries, but he was far from retro Mo; why can’t he beat a man anymore?!
Cody Gakpo – 6
He was quiet at first, but became much more involved after he went wandering into the deeper regions.
The highlights were a couple of wins in the air to keep the movement going and some clever moments in the group, but he also earned a toss after a push and mastery outside Chelsea penalty zone.
Biggest goal threat, but not consistent and not clinical – random shots.
Harvey Elliott – 6
His midweek win was enough to earn him a starting place here, this time playing on the left wing. Sent in one good cross but was otherwise more of short passes and hard work to hold position.
I went into central midfield for the last half hour and the team play really suffered.
Substitutes
Darwin Nunes (off for Keita, 61′) – 7 – Brought energy and a few moments, but no skill.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (off for Milner, 71′) – 6 – Draws a good chance over the bar.
Jordan Henderson (off for Elliott, 81′) – n/a – A good shot down the right flank, but not the best ball.
Curtis Jones (came out instead Gakpo, 81′) – n/a – Several runs fouled after he was not fouled on the edge of the box.
Fabinho (in for Baisetic, 81′) – n/a – We almost lost the game because of an inaccurate pass from outside the penalty area.
Unused substitutes: Kelleher, Matip, Tsimikas, Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Jurgen Klopp – 7
His 1000th playing as a manager and possibly entering the top ten most disappointing.
It was about time the boss cut out the stragglers and this time he did, with Hendo, Matip, Trent and Fabinho among those not back in the XI.
The reward was a much more stable game without possession, a team that looked more cohesive in defence, albeit not at full speed with the ball.
As for the substitutions, they probably came in time, although it didn’t work out to leave Elliott in the middle.
The end of the game was completely chaotic, with no control from either side, with the boss mostly berating the referees for not letting in a touch “reds”.
Overall he made the right decisions but the quality wasn’t enough to win points.
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