Premier League hits and misses: Liverpool defend their title defense | Football news

Hope for Liverpool defense

2:51

With Sadio Mane on the Liverpool side for the first time since their 7-2 loss to Aston Villa in early October, the responsibility to produce lay with Mohamed Salah. He did just that. The Egyptian’s two goals, both wonderful in their own way, propelled Liverpool to a well-deserved 3-1 win over West Ham at London Stadium. The title defense is back.

Salah had gone six Premier League games without scoring, but there had been three goals in the FA Cup during that time and there was always the feeling that they would come back. After all, he now has 15 of them in the league this season, three more than any other player.

While Liverpool’s recent attacking troubles felt temporary, the lingering concern has been that injuries on defense will inevitably undermine them eventually. It must be said that they are coping with it admirably so far. Jordan Henderson and Nat Phillips were excellent again.

Michail Antonio would have been excited to run to Phillips, but the center-back faced the threat. Henderson, meanwhile, was so impressive once again what Jurgen Klopp later revealed that James Milner had joked with the captain that he might end up stuck there. You have been assured on paper.

Although the pair had played the second half together at Tottenham on Thursday, this was Liverpool’s 12th different starting central defender association of the season so far. And yet only Manchester City have conceded fewer goals since that curious night at Villa Park.

Lack of depth is a concern, of course, and that explains why Klopp is looking to the transfer market to beef up his options before the transfer window closes. But despite the last goal conceded against West Ham, this was another encouraging night. If the forwards start firing again, there is hope for the Liverpool defense, in more ways than one.
Adam Bate

Waste ending Tuchel’s priority at Chelsea

2:51

Thomas Tuchel is on track with his first win as Chelsea boss and there were clear signs of improvement in the monotonous midweek draw with the Wolves. Against Burnley, Chelsea showed more determination with their possession, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount in particular propelling them forward, while there was no scare at the other end.

But, as Tuchel pointed out later, his team’s shot needs to improve, and it will have to be a priority for him. It’s a problem that extends beyond Timo Werner’s agonizing personal drought, which has now spread to a dozen Premier League games after another in the blank.

Chelsea’s shot conversion stats rank him ninth in the Premier League this season. A table of expected goals published just before Frank Lampard’s sacking suggested that Chelsea were underperforming based on the quality of the opportunities they were creating. This is more than a single failed striker.

Only eight of her 19 shots against Burnley hit home, with Mount guilty of wasting all four of her goal attempts, while Tammy Abraham, who has been sporadic in front of goal, was retired at halftime.

Instead, it was left to the defenders César Azpilicueta and the so-called Marcos Alonso to show the attackers how to do it. There is quality in their ranks up front, but they must be more clinical if they want to consistently compete with the best teams in this division under Tuchel.
Peter smith

The tired Burnley must recover to go again

After a brilliant week for Burnley, in which he ended Liverpool’s long unbeaten streak in the league at Anfield, thrashed Fulham in the FA Cup and then topped a thriller with Aston Villa in good shape, Sean Dyche’s team returned. down to earth for a dominant Chelsea on Sunday.

Burnley started confidently on the back of his recent victories, but couldn’t land a glove on his hosts at Stamford Bridge. It wasn’t until the 94th minute of the game that they landed a shot, with James Tarkowski leading harmlessly, and at that point Chelsea were up two and had the points in the bag.

Burnley managed just 95 passes in the second half (compared to Chelsea’s 393) and there was a feeling that the visitors were worn down by control of the Blues competition. Perhaps the efforts of that winning race also took their toll. Certainly Chris Wood’s injury hinted at that, while Jay Rodriguez in shape started off on the bench to avoid overload after his recent return from the treatment table.

Manchester City arrive at Turf Moor on Wednesday, so life won’t be any easier for Dyche’s men. The recent result over Liverpool is a reminder that Burnley can still unsettle big teams back in the day, but with his teammates Brighton at home next Saturday, Dyche may have to prioritize and rotate where he can to make sure his team is. back as the best of them for it. key clash.
Peter smith

Bamford’s selfless statement performance

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“Patrick Bamford is a Premier League forward?” – is a question that we should no longer ask ourselves.

His man of the match show in Leeds’ 3-1 win at Leicester was a statement: one goal and two assists, one of which was a disinterested display of character, leaving the ball on a plate for Jack Harrison.

It’s no wonder that the majority of Bamford’s goals have come against defenders who are slightly higher up or who are known for giving him some glimpses of goal.

One against Liverpool in their opening day basketball game, one against Fulham before their defense got under way, one against a hapless Sheffield United, three against a Villa team that let their guard down looking to score, and a gift in Chelsea to name a few.

Fight more against a lower block, with less room to work, but what striker doesn’t?

Bamford is the perfect start: tall, with the strength to hold the ball and, most importantly, smart. His goal against Leicester shot brilliantly into the top corner from what seemed like a tricky angle.

Eleven goals in 20 appearances is a good comeback for a Premier League striker, but there is much more to Bamford’s game. As Marcelo Bielsa said after the game: “Think more about the team than about its result.”
Brand Gerard

Leicester is still not the same without Vardy

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Speaking to Brendan Rodgers before Leicester’s game against Leeds, it had been a picture of positivity when he discussed the challenge of being without their star forward Jamie Vardy.

“I’ve always tried to show the players here that confidence. It’s our job collectively to find an answer. Of course, if you don’t have Jamie Vardy on that last line, when could he be said to be the best player in Europe at the moment?” behind, then logic tells you that you are going to miss it. But can you find another way? That is the challenge. “

It turned out to be too much of a challenge for his team as they beat Leeds 3-1 at the King Power Stadium on Sunday. Rodgers was unhappy with the three goals his team conceded. When he lets so many in, there’s no guarantee that Vardy, now 34, would have made any difference. But his absence at the other end of the field was still felt.

Ayoze Pérez was tasked with filling the gap, but he endured a difficult afternoon. Kelechi Iheanacho, an unused substitute here, has had plenty of opportunities to impress. Neither of them has been convinced that they have the quality to shine when the center of attention is on them.

Leicester is still well placed in the top four and the hope is that Vardy will be back soon to add new momentum. But a point of six without him is a reminder that even as Rodgers evolves his style and adds new dimensions, a man remains irreplaceable.
Adam Bate