The 3/10 Liverpool star who was as bad as Alisson & Van Dijk v Arsenal

Liverpool are a world-class squad brimming with world-class gamers, however each every now and then an faulty efficiency blotches a efficiency like a stain, pervading the efforts like sludge in a stretch of water.

Arsenal performed their sport and so they performed it nicely, taking management and successful the important thing battles, flooding the play towards the Reds’ rearguard; Mikel Arteta’s aspect leapt on two Alisson errors to safe victory however Liverpool have been incohesive, enervated, and their lead on the high of the Premier League was minimize to 2 factors after 23 matches.

Of course, imperious champions Manchester City stalk from behind and can go stage with the second-placed Gunners with a victory at Brentford on Monday night time. They will nonetheless have a sport in hand.

Jurgen Klopp, simply over one week on from his shock choice to step down on the finish of the season, will likely be dismayed by the error-strewn show however maybe extra so by the dearth of fluency that has been on the core of the success to date this season.

Making sweeping adjustments in the summertime after a dour 2022/23 marketing campaign, the esteemed German has masterminded a resurgence however immediately’s exhibiting was paying homage to final yr’s struggles.

Alisson’s early save from Gabriel Martinelli was turned in by Bukayo Saka on the rebound; Martinelli made it 2-1 after the break following a dreadful communicative confusion between Alisson and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Virgil van Dijk & Alisson endure “dreadful mix-up”

Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes had become his personal internet earlier than the break handy Liverpool a lifeline, however parity restored proved to be nothing greater than a keep of execution as the Merseyside outfit sculpted their downfall and dented their hopes of a second Premier League title below Klopp’s wing.

Van Dijk, so dependable in his defensive energy this season, did not rid his defensive third of a hoofed ball and Alisson’s ungainly acrobatics allowed Martinelli a simple end into an open internet.

The Athletic’s James Pearce, little question perplexed by the calamity, remarked on the “dreadful mix-up” that Klopp’s aspect did not get well from, Ibrahima Konate compounding the problems within the dying embers with a purple card for 2 yellows, Leandro Trossard scoring from the bench minutes later.

As per Sofascore, Van Dijk nonetheless showcased lots of his best qualities, within the thick of the motion after taking 106 touches, finishing 89% of his passes, successful eight of his 9 contested duels and making 4 clearances and two interceptions, however he suffered a lapse in a definitive second and might want to make sure that such a mistake doesn’t come up as soon as extra in a pivotal contest.

Similarly, Alisson was abject on the Emirates however has been Liverpool’s saviour on numerous events this time period; nonetheless boasting the Premier League’s finest save share this season with 77.3%, the 31-year-old will rebound from this poor efficiency.

While such errors got here at key moments, they need to not detract from the truth that Liverpool’s general effort was as flimsy as plywood and on the epicentre was Ryan Gravenberch, who endured a dull show within the engine room and did little to strengthen his declare for a beginning berth within the greatest moments below Klopp.

Ryan Gravenberch’s efficiency in opposition to Arsenal

Gravenberch was handed a beginning berth after Dominik Szoboszlai suffered a recurrence of the hamstring damage that dominated him out for a lot of January; the Hungarian was sidelined as a precaution.

While Gravenberch has many thrilling skills as a multi-functional midfielder, he’s not fairly making it occur in Liverpool colors and was certainly on the core of Liverpool’s points in opposition to Arsenal.

As per Sofascore, the £150k-per-week ace was hooked earlier than the hour mark after taking simply 24 touches, and whereas he accomplished 86% of his passes, Gravenberch did not make a key cross.

Very a lot a ‘passenger’, his lack of defensive ability was among the many greatest causes behind Liverpool’s struggles and having been dribbled previous as soon as, Gravenberch did not make a deal with, block or interception, additionally successful simply 4 of his 9 contested duels. It was unsurprising, subsequently, to see him earn a stunning 3/10 match score courtesy of the Liverpool Echo.

It can be unfair to heap the blame onto anybody participant and there’s a good case that Gravenberch’s blushes would have been spared had his skipper and shot-stopper not performed their duties to the essential, error-free commonplace.

Ryan Gravenberch’s season to date

Signed from Bayern Munich in a £34m deal again in August, there is no such thing as a query that Gravenberch is a midfielder of top quality however he’s but to mesh the cogs along with the form of fidelity wanted for Liverpool.

As per FBref, Gravenberch ranks among the many high 4% of midfielders throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for shot-creating actions, the highest 10% for progressive passes, the highest 9% for progressive carries, the highest 8% for profitable take-ons and the highest 8% for blocks per 90.

Considered to have an identical ability set to stars such as Jude Bellingham and Liverpool duo Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, Klopp’s want to deliver him to the membership is comprehensible and at 21 years outdated he might but be customary right into a first-rate phenom, having been hailed as “unbelievable” by former Reds midfielder Didi Hamann.

But he might want to begin bringing all of it collectively and provided that Thiago Alcantara made his anticipated return this afternoon after an interminable spell on the sidelines, Gravenberch should begin combining his expertise with software.

Arsenal might need defeated Liverpool to muddle the title race as soon as once more, however Klopp’s crew have demonstrated their means and resilience many occasions this time period.