Liverpool continued to stumble towards the Premier League end line as they have been held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United.
West Ham 2-2 Liverpool
Premier League (35), London Stadium
April 27, 2024
Targets: Bowen 43′, Antonio 77′; Robertson 48′, Areola OG 65′
Salah and Klopp conflict a horrible look
Everyone is absolutely conscious that Jurgen Klopp‘s remaining season in cost isn’t ending within the method it had been hoped for even three weeks in the past, however do we actually must pile on additional negativity within the type of a beloved supervisor and his finest participant having an argument on the touchline?
Regardless of the causes for Mohamed Salah‘s spat with the boss earlier than approaching, this disagreement wouldn’t have performed out so publicly in previous seasons.
Maybe the Egyptian feels his supervisor’s authority has been undermined by the actual fact he’s about to depart, however his personal future on the membership below a brand new coach is hardly secured given his latest performances.
Gravenberch reveals promise once more
If Arne Slot is to proceed Liverpool’s upward trajectory subsequent season, then he might want to take advantage of the younger core of gamers at his disposal.
A type of who will certainly play a giant function is Ryan Gravenberch, who evidenced his immense potential with one other wonderful exhibiting right here.
The Dutchman received 9 out of 13 floor duels and made seven recoveries to point out that he’s greater than able to doing the soiled work within the midfield.
He additionally mixed that with finishing an unimaginable seven out of eight dribbles, creating two probabilities, and taking three pictures.
It has undoubtedly been a combined first season for Gravenberch at Liverpool however he’s simply 21 and alreayd beginning to present that he may show to be a shrewd acquisition.
Diaz sub a wierd alternative
For all of the deal with Liverpool’s struggles in assault of late, Luis Diaz ought to absolutely be given partial immunity for criticism.
As has been the case on a number of events of late, the Colombian was far and away the most important risk within the Reds’ ahead line right here.
Three pictures, seven probabilities created, three dribbles accomplished and the help for Andy Robertson‘s equaliser – Diaz terrorised West Ham throughout the 90 minutes.
In reality, the one draw back of his efficiency was that its ending, inexplicably early, triggered by Klopp’s resolution to sub him off late within the recreation.
TNT’s lack of self consciousness stuns
It was fascinating to listen to TNT Sports activities’ commentary crew spend the whole thing of the primary half on the London Stadium bemoaning the dearth of tempo from each side.
However did Klopp’s favorite broadcaster ever cease to contemplate that they may have one thing to do with the whole absence of zip within the play?
TNT’s designated 12.30pm kick-off slot is usually a assure of a poor ambiance within the stands and motion on the pitch that displays this, and that’s much more true when it pits two sides with little to play for up towards one another.
With that in thoughts, maybe their pundits ought to look nearer to residence when criticising the 2 units of gamers for not serving up a basic after being compelled to eat pasta for his or her breakfast.
Combat not fully gone
As tough as it’s to know the positives after one other disappointing end result, it is just truthful to level out that issues may have been worse.
That’s as a result of, when Liverpool fell behind after a listless first-half efficiency, supporters may have been forgiven for fearing on the premise of latest type that one other defeat was inevitable.
But it’s simple to neglect that, previous to this recreation, the Reds had picked up 27 factors from dropping positions to date this season, they usually have been clearly eager to point out that their combating spirit has not been fully extinguished.
That want manifested itself as a much-improved second half efficiency that must be acknowledged, even when it was undermined by the concession of a sloppy equaliser.