Originally Posted by
HCZ_Reborn
So I have to say, I don’t buy into the assertion that Liverpool are favourites for the title
And it shows you that these modelling algorithms lack human instinct.
Liverpool are quite a wasteful side when you consider the absolute territorial domination they enjoy in most of their home games. I think this is characterised by players like Darwin Nunez, who looks like a decent goalscorer if and only if you don’t factor in the amount of chances he misses.
I called him the Uruguayan Giroud the other day, and I absolutely stick with this. Giroud had a good goal scoring record but the reason he frustrated so many Arsenal fans is because the myriad chances he missed.
Ultimately at Anfield and at the Emirates the two players that I regarded as giving us problems were Salah and Diaz. I highly rate both of these players, Salah for obvious reasons and Diaz is an exceptional player who would have fit right in with the Liverpool team of four years ago, his pace, his technique are very impressive.
Gakpo, Nunez, Jota (ok I like Jota but he can’t stay fit) not so good
I don’t think there’s a great deal of difference between their midfield then and now, but their great strength never was central midfield it was the domination of their wingbacks and their interchangeable front three.
Players like Fabinho and to a lesser degree Henderson were good at protecting the back four (and bolstered by a top centre back in Virgil Van Dijk)
They don’t have that now….Gravenberch is decent but no more, same with Endo. And Van Dijk like any player who is now into his thirties no longer has the mobility to turn that he once did, he doesn’t you notice push up as much as he did (the way Saliba and Gabriel do)
Now that said they are still two points ahead of us, after 30 games. I think this is a huge testament to Klopp and his ability to get the best out of players. They still edge us in terms of goalscoring outlets but overall? Both our squad and city’s is far superior. And an incoming coach is going to have all kinds of problems trying to emulate what Klopp has achieved.