Long balls costing Liverpool dearly

With four consecutive defeats Liverpool have finally lost their invincible image. Coach Arne Slot looked an unhappy and worried man as he left Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium last weekend where he saw his team go down 3-2 to the Bees. Liverpool’s display highlighted some of the problems in their team formation and Slot revealed his […]

With four consecutive defeats Liverpool have finally lost their invincible image. Coach Arne Slot looked an unhappy and worried man as he left Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium last weekend where he saw his team go down 3-2 to the Bees.

Liverpool’s display highlighted some of the problems in their team formation and Slot revealed his thoughts, “Teams have a certain way of playing against us, which is a very good strategy and we haven’t found the answer yet.” That strategy includes one of Liverpool’s big problems: how the long balls have become more and more effective and opponents are using them particularly against teams who are vulnerable at the back and in this area, Liverpool certainly have problems. To prove the point, Liverpool are having to deal with an average of ten more aerial duels than last season. Indeed, Brentford’s first goal came from a long throw-in by Michael Kayode to the front post and Kristoffer Ajer climbed above the Liverpool defence to flick the ball onto Dango Ouattara to score on the back post. Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konate and Bradley looked second best to the Brentford forwards and whereas you would normally expect Van Dijk to command the air, he seems to have lost the ability to rise above the opposing attackers. This was, by the way, Brentford’s third goal from a long throw this season.

 

United’s Mbeumo set to challenge Van Persie’s record

Bryan Mbeumo, backed by Ruben Amorim, believes he can outscore United striker Robin van Persie’s 26 Premier League goals which he achieved in 2012-13. The former Brentford winger/striker is already halfway to beating last season’s top scorers Bruno Fernandes and Armad Diallo, although to be fair they managed only eight goals each.

Mbeumo scored 20 goals for Brentford last season and when asked to reveal his secret he said, “I always try to aim big in everything I do. I try not to set limits on myself, on what I can reach.”

Amorim is pleased that Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes have formed a formidable trio which the coach explains is being given maximum attention in weekly training sessions because United are not involved in Europe this season and have more valuable improvement time.

 

Arsenal brings a smile to their old boss’s face

Many of you might remember Arsenal’s coach George Graham. He was the boss at Arsenal from 1986 -1995 during which time he led the club to two league titles and a League Cup and FA Cup. George, now 80 years old, was in the VIP seats last weekend at the Emirates and there was a wide smile on his face as he listened to the fans sing “1-0 to the Arsenal”. It was the chant adopted during his time in charge when the Gunners were on their way to winning the Cup Winners Cup in 1994. They are now taking opportunities to sing that chant as Arsenal have beaten Manchester United and Fulham by the same score.

The other chant I particularly enjoy is, “Set piece again, Ole, Ole.” The Gunners have scored 16 goals this season and 11 of those have come from set pieces.

Arsenal are the team to beat now and many are already saying it is their title to lose…George Graham is a very happy man.

 

Haaland could break my record-Alan Shearer

England, Blackburn and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, holder of the Premier League scoring record, has admitted his total could eventually be overtaken by Erling Haaland.

Shearer’s 260 goals were thought to be unbeatable but Haaland has hit the net 94 times in just 104 appearances since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.

Shearer is on record saying, “Haaland is the perfect centre-forward. His record is phenomenal and his appetite to score is fantastic. I love it. He is quick, strong, agile and he reacts quicker than most around the six-yard box, which is impressive and his ability to put the ball in the back of the net is magnificent. If you are building a footballer or centre-forward you wouldn’t look too far away from Haaland being the perfect one.”

“If he stays in the Premier League another six or seven years, he’s definitely someone who could and probably will break my record.”

 

Osula gaining Newcastle’s trust

Manager Eddie Howe admitted that his bright young star Will Osula was very rough around the edges when he walked through the gates of St James Park. Howe credits former Belgium and England coach Graeme Jones with polishing Osula’s undoubted talent.

The 22-year-old was signed for £22million and was selected for being tall and quick but very disorganised. Jones has spent a lot of training time with him and last weekend when he replaced Nick Woltemade with only five minutes of the match remaining, he instantly made an impression. He set up the winning goal for Bruno Guimaraes late on which gave Newcastle a 2-1 win over Fulham. Osula collected the ball on the halfway line, moved forward, taking on the Fulham backline and unleashed a terrific shot which goalkeeper Bernd Leno could only parry into the path of the oncoming Bruno Guimaraes who netted the ball from the rebound.

Howe praised Osula’s work on the training field and is now works on improving him tactically. The young Danish player from Copenhagen has a bright future in the north east with Newcastle.

 

Tottenham vs Chelsea

Two teams are fighting for a top six position with Chelsea coming off the back of a loss last weekend. Tottenham go into this match in 3rd place and Chelsea 9th but only separated by three points.

Enzo Maresca the Chelsea coach this week said that his priority is beating Tottenham and they would then go level on points with the currently third placed club. He will field his strongest team after their 1-2 loss at home to Sunderland.

The Blues have a great record against Spurs and if they can pull off a win it will be five in a row against their London rivals. Their striker Joao Pedro has seen his early season form drop off and Liam Delap is ready to return after suffering a hamstring injury but he is unlikely to play for the full 90 minutes.

Alexander Garnacho scored Chelsea’s only goal against Sunderland and he is anxious to keep his place on the left wing. Pedro Neto and Marc Guilu make up the rest of Chelsea’s forward line. Marc Cucurella will probably start at left back and Moises Caicedo is in goalscoring form and he will be a handful in midfield for Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur

Tottenham coach Thomas Frank has learned some lessons this past two weeks and he has spent time in training with his front-line Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus and Brennan Johnson. Scoring three against Everton thanks to his defenders is not what Frank wants from his team despite being delighted with the win but it was Van de Ven (2 goals) and Pape Matar Sarr who won the game.

Enzo Maresca will be happy to come away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a draw but for Frank it will be all systems go as he tries to cement Tottenham’s top four position.