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So this is soccer in 2020.
Three injuries in exhausted players that force managers to make changes they would rather not have to do with a limited use of three.
VAR, and its controversial nuances, chime in to turn real football as mere after-thought into post-match talk once again.
And all played in front of precisely zero fans, giving a soulless feeling to a game that is now only supported in front of a television screen.
If ever a game encapsulated the truly bizarre nature of how the most popular sport on the planet is now packaged and delivered, this was it.
That last point, of course, is about to be alleviated a bit by the welcome return of the fans, but it’s no exaggeration to say that the very fabric of the game is breaking down as long as it remains in this format.
At least for neutrals, who watch with the man-made noise of the crowd pouring into their living rooms, some form of drama remains in place, even if not for the purists.
However, the tedious and tedious VAR debate shouldn’t be the headline of the game here.
What should be the main takeaway, from Liverpool’s perspective, is how Klopp’s worst fears came true in the guts of the Amex.
This time, it was James Milner who limped in the second half, adding another to an injured list that has grown almost ridiculously large.
When even a tough as teak operator like Milner succumbs, then you know something is wrong.
Klopp has continued to criticize the schedule, constantly highlighting what he and other Premier League managers see as an unsafe job rotation of back-to-back games on Wednesday night and Saturday lunchtime.
Anyone who has taken a look at Liverpool’s leadership this season will know how strong Klopp feels on the subject and his post-match exchange with BT Sport’s Des Kelly was riveting.
So losing another player to injury to Milner has only clouded the increasingly exasperated mood of the Liverpool manager.
Whoever is responsible for the match list, something must be adjusted. They are stealing the sport of its protagonists.
Brighton boss Graham Potter, who lost Adam Lallana and Neil Maupay to similar problems here, will no doubt agree.
Wherever the micromanagement of football matches by the VAR is found, few can think that the football calendar is in perfect working order.
Something has to give, because right now, it’s just the calves, groins and hamstrings of the players.
Missed opportunity for Minamino
With Jurgen Klopp choosing to shuffle his package for this one, Takumi Minamino was one of six changes at Amex.
Arriving for his first Premier League start to the campaign, it was a real opportunity for the Japanese international to show what he can do.
It hasn’t been easy for Minamino after his change from Red Bull Salzburg at the end of the year, but he is nearing his 12-month anniversary as a Liverpool player.
His performances, however, continue to indicate that he is still finding his footing in English football.
If Michael Edwards has a virtually flawless record in the transfer market during his four years as sporting director, the jury remains very deliberate about Minamino.
The £ 7 million fee will never be labeled a waste of money, however Minamino’s stay at Anfield comes to fruition, but at a time when Diogo Jota started his career in electrifying fashion, the Japanese forward’s difficulties seem more acute. .
Here he spent much of the afternoon outnumbered, struggling and beating the pace. His particular type of invention did little to help the cold south coast.
Given the options at Klopp’s disposal, Minamino will have room to adjust and adjust, but this was a rare opportunity that went begging.
Write it down
Even during Liverpool’s exhaustive and studious monitoring of Diogo Jota they could not have expected this.
The Portuguese had already started running to the pace of an Olympic sprinter before he was unleashed in Brighton here.
Little seemed to be happening for Klopp’s side as the man of the moment collected the ball in the second half.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Jota drew a pattern within the Brighton area before passing Mat Ryan to give Liverpool an advantage they probably didn’t deserve.
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It was the former Wolves player’s ninth goal in 14 appearances for his new club, marking him as one of the undoubted signings of the season.
Where would Liverpool be without the contributions of its £ 45 million man this quarter?
His goals don’t just come in waves, they are all great moments that have tipped the scales of finely balanced matches.
Sadly for Klopp, Jota’s last one was only worth part of the loot, but Edwards and the recruiting team can confidently state that this is another important signing that they’ve called out to perfection.
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