Liverpool analysis: Alisson’s fate could shape the season when Roberto Firmino becomes a problem

Adrian’s tragicomedy enters the third act

And so begins the third act of Adrián San Miguel’s tragicomedy in Liverpool.

After Alisson Becker’s unfortunate shoulder injury on Saturday, this game at Villa Park was his assistant’s 21st for the Reds.

No other substitute goalkeeper will have played so much in all competitions in the last year in the top flight.

Certainly not one with as high ambitions as Liverpool, at least.

After playing his role in Liverpool’s first 11 games of the season last time, the Spaniard appeared in the last three of the games leading up to the end of March.

Back on the side once again, this was another opportunity to play a major role in this usually remarkable Liverpool team.

And less than four minutes after his third significant first-team run, he quickly dropped a clanger.

A disastrous square ball to his weaker left foot within the six-yard box gave Ollie Watkins the easiest opportunity to open the scoring.

The forward is new to scoring Premier League goals after his big money move from Brentford, but he’s unlikely to be presented with such an easy one all season.

At a time when Adrian would have been asked, or expected, to instill some calm in a fan base increasingly concerned about Alisson’s long-term fitness, this was not what was needed.

The former West Ham stopper had never been on the losing side of a Reds game in the Premier League, prior to this embarrassment, but incidents like his latest aberration weren’t exactly oddities.

Meetings with Southampton, Chelsea in the FA Cup and, of course, Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League were marred by mistakes by the 33-year-old, at varying degrees of cost.

Jurgen Klopp, as always, was shy when asked about Alisson’s prospects, but at a time when surgery isn’t ruled out, he doesn’t look very good.

The Liverpool manager later confirmed that Alisson will not be fit to play in the Merseyside derby on October 17 and could miss up to six weeks.

However, wherever you land on Adrian, he will be between the sticks for the next few weeks, at least.

However, this most jarring and shocking defeat was not solely due to the keeper’s jersey holder.

This humiliating setback shouldn’t be left completely at Adrian’s door.

But Liverpool now face an anxious wait to discover Alisson’s fate and a lot could depend on him.

Firmino becomes a Liverpool problem

At what point did Roberto Firmino become a problem for Liverpool?

A 7-2 loss is probably not the obvious starting position to point the finger at a number 9, but the Brazilian might have few complaints when his number rose to the board in the second half.

The lone goal at Anfield last season wasn’t a big deal when the Reds took the title, but the forward, like the rest of his teammates, it must be said, was very out of color here at Villa Park.

Two early chances were missed when he chose to go for an extra touch rather than shoot first time.

Both opportunities were stark reminders that this wonderful and flamboyant Brazilian, who is leading the Liverpool attack, is not a stubborn, stubborn natural hunting dog like many others who have worn his number at Anfield.

For the most part, that’s not what is required on this team, where goals are supplied primarily by the twin jets of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane from wide areas.

At his best, Firmino oozes class and is the perfect complement to his front-line companions.

Here, however, on the most miserable night of Klopp’s tenure in Liverpool, Firmino was somewhat off the beat.

For more reactions, watch Blood Red’s latest post-game podcast HERE

Time and again he lost possession, gifting it to a Villa defense that could hardly believe this shadow of a Liverpool that had come forward to face them.

In truth, Firmino still doesn’t seem close to bagging this season and at a time when his understudy, Takumi Minamino, continues to look brilliant and inventive, he finds himself under real pressure.

The longest of two weeks

Liverpool will have been content to leave Birmingham with bruised egos and lowered heads.

And while the generally unwanted international breaks turn into endless and insufferable stoppages at stake for those of a red persuasion, this next one could be the worst of all.

For the better part of two weeks, those linked to this soccer club will be forced to rage and suffer during one of the most horrendous nights in decades.

Even for a time as prone to hyperbole as this, there were no words that could overcome such a dearth of what was served at Villa Park.

It really was SO bad.

Now Liverpool players, coaching staff and fans will not be able to escape the harsh criticism and knee-jerk reactions that will inevitably shoot up from every corner.

From social media, to radio phone calls, and TV analysis, you’ll hear all about what went wrong in this 7-2 hammering.

Yes, seven and two.

Liverpool will have a chance to put an end to this anomaly, but will have to wait until October 17 to do so.

And your hosts that day, a top-flight, resurgent Everton and Premier League leader, will do their best to spread salt on every open wound here.

That game has become incredibly important.

Liverpool have not lost a derby in 10 years and will have to pull something special to ensure that the race proudly continues.