By Sam McGuire
The Reds are threatening to limp over the line to claim a 20th league title. They’ll want to put any lingering doubts to bed this weekend as they host West Ham United at Anfield.
Running out of steam?
Liverpool found themselves 3-1 down to Fulham at half-time on Sunday afternoon having taken an early lead courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister’s worldie.
The Reds looked sluggish and defensively fragile despite the back four only missing Trent Alexander-Arnold. Caoimhin Kelleher, again, started in place of Alisson who missed out due to the concussion protocol.
It was Liverpool’s experienced players in their backline who looked nervy. Ibrahima Konaté nearly gifted Fulham a goal early on with a loose touch in his own penalty area. Andrew Robertson had three chances to clear the ball prior to Alex Iwobi’s goal while Virgil van Dijk was done by Rodrigo Muniz for the third.
Is it nerves or have these players just played too much football this season? Slot barely rotates and both Robertson and Van Dijk aren’t getting any younger.
It is a difficult question to answer right now, but these players have won it all, a title run in should be their bread and butter. If it isn’t nerves, uncomfortable conversations might need to be had.
No new manager bounce but still plenty to prove
Graham Potter was hired by West Ham United in January and the idea was he’d be able to get them playing football while moving them up the table.
There was supposed to be a spark. There wasn’t.
In his 11 league matches as manager, they have won just three matches – beating Fulham, Arsenal and Leicester City. They’ve suffered defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Brentford, Newcastle and Wolves during this period.
Heading to Anfield, the Hammers are winless in four. They are in no danger of relegation. They are also in no danger of playing European football next season. They’re in purgatory right now just waiting for the campaign to end. Potter will be assessing his options and seeing who has a role to play for him next term.
So while there’s nothing at stake, a good performance against the runaway leaders could prolong a West Ham career or two.
A peek into the future for Liverpool
For the last two Premier League games, the Reds have been without Trent Alexander-Arnold. The right-back suffered an ankle injury against Paris Saint-Germain and Slot was forced to use Jarell Quansah at full-back in the Carabao Cup final before opting to use Curtis Jones there against Everton and Fulham.
Alexander-Arnold’s absence coincides with Liverpool forgetting how to attack. Prior to the international break, the Reds had an xG per 90 average of 2.27 in the Premier League. In the two games since the break, the xG average has been 1.5.
Liverpool haven’t figured out how to attack without the No. 66 in their team. They haven’t really figured out how to get the ball to Mohamed Salah either, with the Premier League’s top scorer blanking in both games.
Injury issues
Slot is still without Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez but Alisson should be available for the game against the Hammers while the return of Conor Bradley has come at the perfect time. The flying right-back transformed the Liverpool attack in the final 20 minutes against Fulham and he grabbed an assist.
If he’s fit enough to start on Sunday, the Reds will have an entirely different dynamic to their right flank, and Salah might be much more involved.
West Ham, meanwhile, are without Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville, a one-time Liverpool transfer target. Other than that, Potter has no injury or suspension concerns to navigate or manage.
Prediction
Liverpool need a reaction to the loss. They need a reaction to a number of poor performances dating back to February. With Anfield behind them and the title up for grabs, we’re saying it’ll be a 3-1 win for the hosts.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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