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Graph= clear indication of LFC's problems. Problems create more problems, that then create more problems. Team needs a reset and a reboot - i.e. to be judged when it doesn't have a ton of injured players. Shows that 1-5 injuries surmountable; averaging over 7 (to key players) not https://twitter.com/BassTunedToRed/status/1358473066758692867
Liverpool could still have had a lot of problems this season even if everyone fit, as no proper preseason and everyone says defending title is harder. Take away 4-5 of the best players, tallest players, quickest players, and team becomes more mediocre. Easier to play against.
I felt the team's attacking mojo actually went when Matip went off vs WBA. Defence suddenly felt like it could be got at, and that affects the whole team. As I said in recent pieces, without great aerial players, LFC gone from best set-piece team in PL to one of the worst.
If you can't cope aerially (as Man City showed last season), then you are always vulnerable in the PL. Without VvD and Matip, LFC can't defend set-pieces as well, and without both of them they pretty much don't score from corners.
While this wasn't a defeat based on set-pieces, LFC have almost absolutely nothing to offer with all corners they win, and nervier defending them. This defeat was in part due to psychological fallout of losing at home to Burnley & Brighton, who averaged 3 inches taller per player
Liverpool solved the issue of being rubbish at set-pieces when Klopp arrived by buying technical tall players (Matip, VvD, Fabinho). Went from worst to the best. But now are back to being a team that can be bullied - not through lack of character, but just physical limitations
Getting Henderson and Fabinho into the midfield again will help. But then comes the issue of blooding new centre-backs. So it's a compromise either way. Alisson also helped with aerial side of LFC's defending since arrival, but obviously he had a (rare) mare with his feet today.
While LFC played great football last season, it often led to corners that led to goals. There were always too many tall LFC players to comfortably mark at set-pieces; freed up space for others, if cross was to VvD. That whole aspect of game has been lost, with intimidation factor
So, while lots of variables + random factors (no. of injuries, lack of energy, crazy VAR earlier in season, players off form, etc), the fact that LFC now rank as a poor set-piece team having been the best set-piece team is a big game-changer. It's a big weapon taken from armoury
I think I'm right in saying that when playing without both VvD and Matip this season, LFC scored just 1 set-piece goal. They scored 2 on the opening day of the season. The drop-off in set-piece efficiency is monumental. And that's without other qualities VvD and others brought
The beauty of set-piece goals is that you can get them out of nothing, even if not playing well. Or they can be the result of great football, that wins lots of corners. They can remove pressure from the strikers, spread the goals around. And obviously VvD helps to concede fewer
To be a team that averages 5'10" you need to be very special on the ball, full of pace and full of energy. LFC lacking a bit of pace and energy right now, as well as height. Kabak could be a solution, but he's 20 and has just arrived - he's brilliant, but rash. Needs to adjust.
So a lot of the issues will not be resolvable until the summer: proper break, & key players back. LFC have the quality to finish in the top four, if confidence doesn't crumble further after this. No rebuild required - "new signings" of returning VvD, Gomez, Jota, et al, will help
Plus, the beauty of having all these players back next season is that they won't need to adapt to LFC or the PL; as long as they recover from their serious injuries. Draw a line under this season, regroup, go again with full proper squad with small number of additions
So, to end, the next few months could be bumpy, as team is now under huge pressure and low on confidence. But to have key men returning in the summer and to have a proper preseason can lift these same players, with added desire to prove people wrong - as City are doing this year.
PS, the 5 players added this season are also likely (if not guaranteed) to be better next season after 6-12 months at club and/or in PL. While there are exceptions, there are so many examples of players needing a year to settle, & team needing time to adjust to them/vice versa
PPS ... that includes Thiago, who I think had actually been excellent (bar his tackling 
), but looked tired today. He has no physical protectors in XI right now. That should be different next season, or even this season if new CBs come into team and Fab and/or Hendo move up
), but looked tired today. He has no physical protectors in XI right now. That should be different next season, or even this season if new CBs come into team and Fab and/or Hendo move up
So, enjoy the rest of your Sunday - although if you're like me, you probably won't ...
(Oh, and I won't write an article tonight as too brain-fried, but I'll add some further observations on the TTT match thread. I'll spare you all further spamming of my Twitter timeline!)
