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Publication date: Saturday, September 12, 2020 8:09 AM
The highlights of the Premier League opening weekend did not disappoint. Liverpool and Leeds demonstrated more than enough quality to show why both teams are entering a new season as defending champions but, excitingly too, a dire approach to defense that will leave two coaches prioritizing entertaining the masses over almost all with a bitter aftertaste, despite punters enjoying a sensational show on Saturday night.
With Leeds, there was nothing to lose and everything for us to learn on the Marcelo Bielsa championships. It was no surprise that Bielsa refused to compromise on his attacking principles despite facing the toughest start to life in the Premier League that he and his team could have had. But few, perhaps even Bielsa, could be sure of how Leeds would fare in the fight for last season’s runaway champions.
Fortunately for Bielsa, Leeds was greeted at Anfield by Klopp’s post-Covid red babble, not the conquering machine whose pre-lockout performances made his post-lock lethargy almost inconsequential.
The only question looming over Anfield when Klopp named his most familiar XI was whether the champions could flip the switch to rekindle that relentless relentlessness. Apparently they couldn’t and that should worry the coach as he reflects on another opening day goal festival under his command.
“Wow,” he muttered as Klopp began to ponder Liverpool’s escape immediately after the whistle confirmed it. The millions at home shared a similar sentiment, but for Klopp, the exclamation had a different tone.
The hosts were careless throughout the field. Even in attack, there were moments of extravagance, highlighted by Roberto Firmino’s failure to seize a golden opportunity moments before Leeds record signing Rodrigo inexplicably gave Mo Salah a chance to complete a hat. -trick winner of the match.
Liverpool’s midfield was too often overlooked with worrying ease for the speed and hustle of its visitors, but Klopp’s biggest concern remains his defense.
The Reds built their title challenge on solid foundations last season, but after sealing their first championship in 30 years, their defense gave way too often. On their way to the title, Klopp’s men conceded just 0.67 goals per game. During their post-block victory lap, they sent goals at 1.71 goals per game.
Mitigation there was motivation. Liverpool can hardly be blamed for letting their standards slip with the job done, especially when those standards had been held so consistently, almost unprecedented when it mattered.
But Liverpool have evidently struggled to get rid of that oversight. Leeds left Anfield with three goals and should have gotten a point too, despite an xG of 0.3. Although their finish was heartwarming and impressive, United were allowed three different EQs that were easily preventable.
Jack Harrison’s hit rivaled Salah’s second for the game’s goal. A fabulous first touch only enhanced by the second made for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who should have been rescued by Joe Gomez. But the center-back allowed Harrison to enter with alarming ease to fit inside Alisson’s near post.
💨 Patrick Bamford’s pressure proved too much for Virgil van Dijk as the Leeds forward capitalizes on a mistake before opening his account for the season …
👇 #LUFC #LivLee #LFC pic.twitter.com/kR5yOlLhSt
– Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) September 12, 2020
The young Liverpool duo could at least point to the fact that the high-level presence in the home defense was even more to blame. Virgil van Dijk, who had led Liverpool 2-1, was too casual in dealing with a long pass aimed at Patrick Bamford. Even for Leeds’ third draw, which came just when we feared the goals were exhausted, Van Dijk was too easily outscored by Helder Costa’s ball at Mateusz Klich.
Van Dijk won’t pay for his performance with his place, but Gomez could. With Joel Matip in good shape, the England center-back will be lucky not to start next Sunday’s trip to Chelsea on the bench, because Klopp surely cannot tolerate a continuation of the generosity of his defense, with the resumption of hostilities for him. Title.
Liverpool’s was not the only defense in disarray. Bielsa will leave Merseyside worried about how he can shore up his rear after having seen Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk bond like the strangers that they are, though they won’t be strangers to each other for long, and Liam Cooper is yet to return.
Liverpool’s defenders, however, have no excuse for unfamiliarity, or anything else.
Ian Watson
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