Fulham v Liverpool
After the way things have gone in recent weeks, the performance in this match was much less important than the result. It really was a case of just making sure Liverpool got back on track. Which is good because the performance, though much improved, was still very ropey defensively. The problem with the inverted full-back returned in full as players get confused by the defensive demands placed on them. With its requirement for other players to provide the width when the full-back inverts, the midfield is often emptied. That leaves a huge gaping hole at right-back and a midfield that is empty so opposing players can easily get at the Liverpool defence. The full-back is there, which can help cover the midfield gap, but then it leaves the full-back areas empty, usually requiring a centre-back to move out there to cover, leaving a gap at centre-back. The midfielders are busy chasing back into midfield, rather than getting out to the full-back area, so it leaves the open door at the back that we constantly see this season in particular. It is an overcomplication and utterly unnecessary.
It is also not helped by a lack of real closing down when deep in the Liverpool half. The press is something that happens high up the pitch, but when the team drops into defensive positions, there is no one getting tight to opponents, unless a forward chases back, with the notable exception of Endo. The rest want to just stand off and look to pick off loose passes, but are not putting the pressure on to force mistakes. That is why it was so easy for Fulham to score their equaliser, everyone stood off them and allowed them to play through far too easily. I know it is van Dijk’s style to sit off when a player is running at him, and it works for him almost all of the time in that situation, but once the team is set in defensive positions then they need to get right in the opposition’s face and make it difficult. Instead, they stand off and make it easy.
Thankfully the team looked much better going forward in periods of the game. The press was not as intense as in the past, but it was still able to get a few mistakes from Fulham. The key to the win was fast ball movement. Not all the time, but just in periods there were times when the team passed the ball with pace, rather than the slow, lethargic stuff that has been eviedent in recent weeks. It makes a huge difference as it gave the defence no time to organise. With Fulham already being a team that struggles to organise defensively and is very reliant on individual defenders’ pace and power, it left them there for the taking. For once, Liverpool were actually able to put the ball into the back of the net when needed to take advantage.
Like all Marco Silva sides, Fulham play pretty football which is effective going forward but disorganised defensively. Their big mistake against Liverpool was the lack of width in their team. Liverpool really struggle against teams which use attacking width but Fulham had little width in forward areas and they failed to get their full-backs forward enough to threaten. That was a mistake that cost them badly, as they failed to really put Liverpool under any real sustained pressure at the back. That turned it into a much easier day for the Reds than it should have been. They were very passive in general, another issue with a Silva team, a lack of fire in the belly. It is all on Palhinha to put some grit into the side and, despite getting away with a few early fouls which would normally lead to a booking, once he was booked that is mostly gone as he has to be careful. They need more players willing to put a foot in, rather than just waiting on the opposition to make a mistake and gift them the ball back.
Quick notes on the players:
Alisson – once again he is there when needed for the team, though he did not have a lot to do. What makes a real difference is his ability to launch quick counters with a throw or kick. Alisson makes a huge difference to the play, no matter how good Kelleher is, he is a clear downgrade on the Brazilian. That ability to spot and execute a quick launch forward after catching the ball is key to the team’s ability to put opponents under pressure and force them to keep players back when they are on the attack.
Alexander-Arnold – his return also makes a huge difference, brilliant as Bradley has been, that ability to split the defence with one pass has been sorely missed. There is only De Bruyne in the Premier League that can be compared to his range of passing and vision. It did not always come off but it causes so many problems for the opposition when he gets the ball at his feet. I would just like to see him play properly in midfield, as the inverted full-back role still unbalances the defence too much for my liking. Then Bradley can play as well, as an added bonus. Beautiful free kick too!
Quansah – much more comfortable against Fulham, who are not a physical team in the main. They are a team that is very technical, which made them well suited to Quansah’s strengths. He did seem to be playing within himself, no doubt being more cautious due to his errors in the past. It will have done him good to get through that match without any real errors.
van Dijk – in the main he had a good game, but there are times when he needs to close down in the box and he is stood off, such as for the goal. Liverpool make it too easy for opponents to make chances by doing this. He does deal with crosses, being positionally sound, but just needs to be more aggressive at times.
Robertson – very poor game, he kept making misjudgments and gambling to cut out balls that he failed to reach. Going forward he is always a threat, but the Liverpool defence is already stretched by the way it is set up, taking himself out of the game with silly errors like that just makes it much harder for the team as a whole. I would think it is just a lack of match sharpness after his injury, but it does need to be watched in case it is a sign that he is losing his pace.
Endo – at times he gets overrun in midfield due to it being emptied to provide width, plus his desire to pick out a progressive pass can be a weakness when he gets caught on the ball. He just needs a bit of help sometimes.
Elliott – worked so hard, really ran himself into the ground trying to shove the Fulham crowd’s boos back down their throats, but nothing really came off for him. The passes, the shots, the crosses, whatever he tried as a final ball, particularly the free kick he attempted, just failed to work out. He was often the one providing the width on the right, which meant there was a space in the middle and he struggled to get back to protect the defence. He just does not have the mobility of Szoboszlai and Gravenberch.
Gravenberch – putting aside his excellent goal, the Dutchman had a good game. He worked hard, chased back when needed and supported the attack when he could. His big weakness has always been a lack of effort, that seems to have vanished now.
Diaz – worked hard, gave Robinson a torrid time but again the end product is just lacking. That is a big worry with him. His skill is exceptional, he is quick and works extremely hard but he does not create enough chances nor score enough goals.
Jota – struggled to get into the game but, as usual, he come up with a goal. If he can just stay fit for the run in, there is always a chance of him being the goalscorer that has been missing in recent weeks.
Gakpo = playing in his favoured position on the left he was excellent, probably man of the match. He worked hard, was extremely direct, attacking Fulham at every chance. He could have done with a goal to crown his performance though.
Salah – came on in the 74th minute to replace Diaz on the right. With the game pretty much over, he did not really get into the game enough to make an impression.
Nunez – also on in the 74th minute, replacing Jota. Without early balls in behind and crosses into the box, it is difficult to get the best out of Nunez.
Mac Allister – the third player in the triple substitution in the 74th minute, taking Gravenberch’s place. Worked hard.
Gomez – brought on to replace Alexander-Arnold in the 79th minute. Added a bit more solidity at the back as he held deeper and wider than Alexander-Arnold had been doing.
Szoboszlai – arrived in the 86th minute to take over Gakpo’s slot on the left of the attack. Very loose in possession, giving the ball away a few times with careless sideways passes.
Written by Tris Burke April 23 2024 01:01:07
