If the doubters needed a statement to fuel Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes, it was against Newcastle United.
After a shaky and scrappy first half, a surprise strike after the break saw the Reds win 4-2 at Anfield. What Jurgen Klopp claimed was “the most difficult period in world football” is long behind us and there are now plenty of games to play until 2024. So perhaps even the most pessimistic soul is beginning to believe that the Reds could actually support their pursuit of success. Great glory in the second half of this season? They are now three points ahead and have lost just once in nine months. That stretch was extended to 31 games. This is the type of champion. He served a nine-match ban between December 3 and January 1, with Klopp’s men collecting 17 points from 21 points in seven league games in that period.
It’s a record that has seen them overtake the likes of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Arsenal and, as evidence, they will be forced to stay for a while.A goalless draw against Manchester United on 17 December, with a total of 34 shots on target, was seen as a golden opportunity to punish a struggling opponent at the new Anfield, but sparked much debate among fans and experts. Woke me up. . It was disappointing that Klopp failed to score four goals in a similar attack against Eddie Howe’s side this time around. Looking forward to finding the fifth period sums it all up. “They are a team that will look at you in every way,” admitted Howe at full-time.
Without Martin Dubravka’s stunning goal performance, Liverpool would have secured their biggest win of the season by a huge margin. Their expected goals ratio was 7.2, which reflected the quality of the chances they created. This is also the highest figure ever.Mohamed Salah scored twice and had the luxury of missing a penalty before his side’s Africa Cup of Nations appearance against Egypt, while Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones got on the scoresheet in a game in which Luis Diaz open the score. Due to Dubravka’s skill, half balls were denied and many chances wasted. His name may not appear on the scoresheet but, like Klopp, Diogo Jota contributed most from the bench after seeing Alexander Isaac Salah’s first ball drop.
The team’s potential was once again demonstrated by deploying forwards along with Gakpo and Ryan Gravenburch. Portugal international Iotta has been sidelined significantly since picking up an injury against Manchester City at the end of November and will be looking to make up for lost time. He made it 2-1 at Jones and won a late penalty after a wonderful cross from Alexis McAllister, who has returned from absence in recent weeks. With Darwin Nunes still on the move but without a goal to show for it, Jota now needs consistent scoring through the middle and Liverpool lack a goal threat in Salah. That could all change in the coming weeks depending on how he steps into the role in Salah’s absence, but he has feared the challenge since his return on Boxing Day.
In the 20th minute, full of energy and determination, they scored through Diaz after Jones found Núñez with an incisive pass. However, after a lengthy VAR review, Nunes was ruled offside. It may seem unfair, but after overcoming several difficulties on the halfway line, Diaz gritted his teeth and showed off his amazing technique moments later. Salah’s shot was blocked and Trent Alexander-Arnold cut the ball to the Kop. Dan Burn was also sent off for offside at the half-time whistle before receiving a chorus of threats from referee Anthony Taylor, who was beginning to lose control of the game.Liverpool continued to knock on the door after the break but were heavily inspired by Magpies goalkeeper Dubravka, with the once-respected football statistics website awarding the Newcastle man a 9.7 for his performance.
That is until the change was made and the screw went from 74 to 86 in 12 minutes. In the end, Sven Bottmann’s header was the only consolation. As Manchester City look to shake off the jitters that have plagued them in recent weeks as they return from a successful Club World Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia, Liverpool will have to prepare for a double header against Newcastle , while trying to thwart Kip Pep’s attack. Guardiola is free. An old rivalry in English football is now preparing for its final chapter, but the rise of Aston Villa and Arsenal means yet another modern take on classic football. But Liverpool know City are their biggest threat this season. Klopp doesn’t need to be reminded how confusing and embarrassing it will be going into the second half of the season with Guardiola’s men.
Although more partisan people might point to the 115 charges against the reigning champion.
Financial fair play was found to have been violated. At their door. A three-point lead at the start of 2024 was more than this Liverpool team could handle. From this perspective, tremendous progress has been made. Many people are optimistic about what this could lead to.
