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Thiago returns
He may not have been a starter, but there was a name on everyone’s lips before Liverpool took on Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Thiago Alcantara.
For the first time since October, the world-class midfielder was included in Jurgen Klopp’s team of the day and fans were immediately desperate to see him in action.
The Spanish international started on the bench, but calls for him to enter the game had not subsided by the break as the Reds seemed to need an injection of creativity.
Klopp decided his first change should be Gini Wijnaldum replacing Curtis Jones, but his second came with 16 minutes to go in the form of his No. 6 superstar.
Almost immediately, Thiago began to run the Newcastle defense erratically while showing off his cutting ability with the ball at his feet and his ability to operate on a different planet than everyone around him.
His sensational passing, movement, timing and ability to dictate the game had the Reds begin to forge opportunity after opportunity only for the heroic Karl Darlow to produce some more impressive saves to deny the champions.
If this is what you can do in just over 15 minutes after three months out, imagine what it will be like when you’ve had a team career and are playing 90.
The crossing must improve
A hallmark of the Jurgen Klopp setup in Liverpool is that the marauding full-backs throw vicious crossovers in the path of world-class attackers or in that ‘uncertainty corridor’.
But this was not the case in Newcastle.
Time and time again, both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson blew opportunities from open positions after the Reds got ahead.
Underhit. About hit. Out of place. Wrong.
Deliveries just weren’t good enough for the first 25 minutes, aside from a sumptuous pass from Alexander-Arnold to Mane and a beautiful ball from Robertson to Roberto Firmino.
The Reds did start turning the dial after about half an hour and deliveries began to find their target, one or two tricky corners were whipped into the danger zone and Mane threw a wonderful ball at Firmino’s head in stoppage time. at the end. of the first.
Things got a bit better in the second half too – there were two massive chances for Firmino to come home after the corners only for Darlow to make more big saves, but overall, the Premier League champions need to improve to ensure that make the most of your glorious opportunities.
Of course, you can’t expect each delivery to be delivered in six pence, despite being quite used to that, but you can expect a higher return considering this is such a dominant tactic in Liverpool and the number of opportunities that are provided to the players. to get the ball.
If Liverpool have any hope of retaining their Premier League title, the crossover is something that must return close to its previously unfathomable level.
Virgil van Fabinho asks a transfer question
The fact that Fabinho has so perfectly wedged himself into the heart of the defense from midfield after Liverpool lost the best center-back and one of the most talented center-backs in world football is nothing short of sensational.
Once again against Newcastle he showed a masterful technique in the middle of the Reds’ defense.
The Brazilian international was dominant and held the defense together as Newcastle threatened, producing an excellent and timely block as Callum Wilson passed Nat Phillips.
He was excellent in the air and made some important decisions, one of which was taking a yellow card in the second half when he was isolated with DeAndre Yedlin breaking through and thus thwarting a Newcastle attack.
Fabinho is so important to Liverpool, but he again raises the question of whether Klopp and Michael Edwards need to enter the transfer market in January.
He’s playing out of position and his talent could be put to even better use in midfield, especially alongside Thiago.
Of course, as a professional model, he is not going to complain about doing his job in an excellent way for Liverpool, but surely given his talent he deserves to be playing in his best and natural position.
The transfer question
As for the need to enter the transfer market, you have to think that Liverpool are having serious discussions behind the scenes about whether or not to bring in a defender when the transfer window opens tomorrow.
The Reds are in the midst of a well-documented back injury crisis and the defense seemed very insecure early on with Nat Phillips exposed at times and Andy Robertson needing treatment from the physical therapist against Newcastle.
Had he suffered a more serious injury, Liverpool would have even more problems behind as Kostas Tsimikas would also be out, but there was great concern for the Scotland captain.
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That doesn’t suggest that the Reds need another left back, but rather to say that a player like James Milner would have to occupy the left flank and therefore not be available in midfield.
Milner was excellent in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw and that gave Klopp a chance to give Gini Wijnaldum a break, so it’s more about thinking than not bringing in a versatile defender, who predominantly practices his trade at the medium, to cover it will be difficult. Create problems elsewhere, since Fabinho is already on-site outside the engine room as well.
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