Liverpool v Real Madrid A Liverpool Perspective
That was what you call a performance! Slot has once again shown he is so tactically flexible and willing to suit the way the team plays to best get at the opposition and beat them. And, boy did he beat them! After years of outplaying them, only to lose anyway, it was so nice to actually just batter them and get the win. Though it must be said, Klopp must be watching at home right now wishing he had got to face this Madrid (and for that matter this year’s Manchester City as well) and wondering how many more trophies he could have won if he had done so. Even so, it was a performance that would have made teams sit up and take notice, as usually a bogey team, which Madrid have been to Liverpool in recent years, gets a result even when all the odds are against them. And, despite all the moaning about injuries, they still had a team of hugely expensive superstars.
I think the most enjoyable part was that it was won by using a very Klopp-like high press and hard running style of play. Beating them, in fact it was a very dominant victory, in such style was incredible. The fast pace and high quality was just too much for a Madrid side low on confidence and lacking any clear leadership, on the pitch and on the bench.
Real Madrid
There are a lot of moans about injuries, but their problems are not due to injuries, they were not at their best when everyone was fit. Their issues are down to Ancelotti not being strong enough to deal with the problem of fitting Mbappe into the team and losing Toni Kroos to retirement. He has tried to shoehorn both Mbappe and Vinicius Jr into the team, with both just wanting to play on the left and he has allowed them to do what they want. He is used to having great teams that are well balanced and he can just organise them. This team he has are completely unbalanced and he is not getting the best from them yet.
Clearly, he will need to set out defined roles for Vinicius Jr and Mbappe to play, but last night he did not have that problem and still could not get the team set up correct. With no Kroos to feed Bellingham, there is no point having him playing behind the strikers, he needs to be further back and getting involved in the build up play, rather than just being on the end of it. They have Mbappe now to get on the end of things, there is no need for him to fulfil that role in the team and it is just meaning he ends up struggling to get any of the ball.
This current Madrid team reminds me a lot of the team from the Galacticos era – a bunch of individuals being pandered to by the club and its coaching staff, rather than being managed by them. Mbappe’s role is undefined, he is playing his way, rather than being what the team need. It is the same for all of the forwards, they are all playing for themselves. It is little wonder that the likes of Bellingham look frustrated. His role has been altered to shoehorn Mbappe into the team, he is now playing in a way that restricts him, but he is doing so (albeit with his form badly affected by the change). What is needed is a strong head coach, who will find a way to get the players into a system that works best for the team, instead of just putting the eleven best players on the pitch and getting them to work for the team.
That is the biggest issue, the lack of work for the team. The difference was thrown into stark contrast early on, when Mo Salah worked back and stole the ball off Mbappe in the Liverpool half. Mbappe made no effort to chase him and win the ball back, just let him go and spent the rest of the game putting in as little effort, while the front trio for Liverpool chased pretty much everything.
Liverpool
Kelleher – a really good game, including a penalty save, but it was more his all-round game that was impressive. As usual, the longer he stays in the team, the better he gets. When he first gets in the team, he is prone to errors and rash calls of judgement. Then he settles down. It would be interesting to see how he did as a first choice player, he is certainly good enough to be one, he just is not as good as Alisson, unfortunately for him.
Bradley – absolutely fantastic display, that one tackle on Mbappe was worth the entry fee alone, so to speak. At the weekend, he showed that he still has a lot to learn, against Madrid he was able to show just how good he already is. And boy is he good! Such a shame he has picked up another injury, just as he is getting a run of starts. That was a special performance, up against arguably the best player in the world, yet he was rarely troubled. Bradley also managed to get forward well, his runs often creating space for Salah to operate in.
Konate – another who had an excellent game, the only thing that troubled him was Endrick, who seemed to set out just to kick him. It ended up causing an injury, which looks likely to keep him out for a month. He will be badly missed in this form, he has been playing so well this season.
van Dijk – a strong game, dealt particularly well with Mbappe, putting him in his place early. He is really having an excellent season.
Robertson – offensively he was decent. He got forward well, though his final ball let him down. Defensively though, he was once again a weak link, though not as weak as the penalty which was given against him. It felt like the referee was desperate to give that penalty, no matter how many times I see it, that looked like a player throwing himself to the floor, rather than one being brought down.
Gravenberch – had so much more freedom in this game and used it to good effect in the second half. In the first half, there were a few occasions when he sold himself in an attempt to make a challenge that he did not need to make. That left a big space for Madrid to break into, which led to most of the chances they had. He was much better in the second half, in that respect, not allowing himself to get pulled into challenges high up the pitch.
Mac Allister – like Gravenberch, he was caught out a few times throwing himself into a needless challenge high up the pitch, leaving open space to be attacked. Mostly though, he was excellent, with a freedom to get higher up the pitch than normal allowing him to play to his strengths. Nice goal too. He is so much better playing higher up the pitch and against a less physical team.
Jones – also played really well. He has a little bit of everything and I am still not sure what his best position is. He is very sound defensively but he has such ability on the ball to cause issues, that you want him to get on it in and around the opposition box.
Nunez – apart from once again going down embarrassingly easy, Nunez was excellent. He caused so many problems all game long. His link up play is very good and his pace and workrate is exceptional. Like Firmino before him, he does not score as many goals as he should but helps the team out so much that it makes up for it.
Salah – after his performance at the weekend, it was always going to be difficult for him to play anything like as well, and he was not able to replicate his heroics. But he was still a constant thorn in the side of Madrid’s defence and they were overwhelmed by him and Bradley at times.
Diaz – he returned to the same problem that he had prior to the early stages of this season – his end product not being quite good enough. Everything else was good, but he was not at it in the final third.
Gakpo – replaced Nunez in the 67th minute. Coming into the season off the back of a good summer for the Netherlands, Gakpo has really been flying this season and would no doubt have nailed down the left wing position if Diaz was not such a good player as well. Even coming on as a sub, both of them are able to affect the game. Gakpo’s direct running, physicality and willingness to shoot caused Madrid’s defence real problems and it was little surprise he scored.
Szoboszlai – came on for Jones in 82nd minute. Brought pace and energy to the performance to shut down any hopes Madrid had of getting back into the match.
Gomez – took Bradley’s place in the 87th minute after the youngster went down holding his hamstring. Did not really have enough time to make any real difference to the match.
Written by Tris Burke December 01 2024 07:08:18
