Fabinho moment highlights Anfield problem
It was perhaps the most concerning moment of an extremely troubling evening for Liverpool.
After Harvey Elliott lost the ball inside his own half, the audible discontent from the Anfield crowd that had been growing during an unconvincing first-half showing from Jurgen Klopp’ s side became particularly noticeable.
Certainly, they were heard by Fabinho who, having swiftly halted Leeds’ subsequent attack, turned to the Kop and gesticulated in a manner that suggested he wanted more backing for the players and not grumbles aimed at the teenager.
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The tone had been set in the fourth minute when a combination of Joe Gomez’s wayward backpass and Alisson Becker’s slip allowed Rodrigo to walk the ball into the net and prompt gasps around Anfield. Gomez was given short shrift by some after that, and that sense of unease was soon transferred to a number of players.
Criticising fans is always a tricky business. They pay their hard-earned and are entitled to support the team in whichever manner they see fit.
But the Liverpool fanbase – well, those who attend Anfield – are not happy at present, struggling with the constantly-changing shift in expectations. Similar to the squad, there’s an undoubted hangover from the disappointing final to last season and, of course, events in Paris.
Did the fans negatively affect the team here? It’s possible. Ultimately, though, the players didn’t offer enough in way of encouragement. And those who stayed after the final whistle to applaud the team off know Klopp’s men need all the backing they can get right now.
Robertson the example
Not for the first time, Andy Robertson was leading the fight for Liverpool.
After a touchline tussle with Brenden Aaronson ended with the defender committing a foul and then belting the ball against his opponent, Robertson faced up to both Aaronson and irate Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams.
The duo were then effectively advised by the Reds left-back it would perhaps be unwise to pursue the matter.
It was typical of the commitment shown by Robertson who, as in Amsterdam in midweek, was Liverpool’s best player, a constant threat down the left which was highlighted by his cross for Mohamed Salah ’s equaliser.
The problem was, as Klopp himself later pointed out, at times the rest of the defender’s team-mates weren’t on the same wavelength, Robertson’s adventure occasionally leaving him running into trouble and then exposed on the counter-attack.
Robertson has responded well on this return from injury having seen Kostas Tsimikas stake a claim for more regular minutes. The rest of the Liverpool squad would be wise to have similar appetite for a battle over the next fortnight.
Another wasted chance
Of all the statistics to emerge from this dismal evening, one shone more glaringly apparent than the rest combined.
With Jurgen Klopp in charge, Liverpool have now lost more Premier League games to teams starting the game in the bottom three than they have to teams in the top four.
There are myriad reasons for that. One, though, is the regular struggle to break down stubborn rearguards that are often placed in the Reds’ path by strugglers.
Leeds weren’t quite so stubborn here – allowing 10 shots on target – but, as at Nottingham Forest last weekend, Liverpool simply didn’t take their chances, albeit occasionally down to the heroics of visiting goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Chelsea’s heavy defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion earlier the day was a reminder it isn’t just Klopp’s side who are struggling for consistency in this strangest of campaigns.
Far from being an inconvenience, the World Cup break now cannot come soon enough for Liverpool, a chance for a much-needed refresh and reset.
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