Liverpool dealt themselves another damaging blow in their chase for Champions League football. Against Southampton, who can only be considered another bogey side, Liverpool could not find a way to win at Anfield, drawing 0-0.
In a cagey first half that stuttered and failed to find any real rhythm, the match unfolded in intervals. Why Liverpool seem incapable of launching out of the blocks and starting matches with urgency remains a curiosity, one that contributes more to Liverpool making everything more difficult for themselves.
First 15 minutes, Liverpool lacked pace and precision. It was another slow start that required growing into the game. Then there was a spell that showed the Reds gain a grip and find their passing range, while Southampton dropped and allowed Liverpool the ball but denied space. The ball began to move with a bit more tempo and the decision making looked like it might improve Yet, the half ended much as it began slow and safe in possession.
As an indication of how prepared Southampton was to drop and defend, Saints had no shots on Liverpool’s goal and only one touch in the penalty area. Even as they started the second half with slightly more intent, it was clear they had little interest in more than a draw. There was another spell of Liverpool summoning some intent to break the deadlock when they benefitted from a penalty call. Yet they ended the match much as they started, struggling to impose themselves and unable to break down the Saints.
Here are four findings from the match.
Out of form Origi
After a brief run of form that saw Divock Origi score a handful of goals, the striker has spent recent weeks starting centrally and struggling to impose any impact art all. Even during that scoring run, he rarely looked at the top of his game. As much promise as the youngster shows, he has not been an adequate replacement for Sadio Mane at any point this campaign.
As teams have dropped deep, there is no room for the Belgian to stretch opponents and he does not possess the same instinctive movement off the ball to compensate. As a result, Liverpool’s front three lack the kind of dynamism that makes the most of the Brazilian boys on the flanks. It has been weeks since Origi has looked worthy of his starting position and it has cost Liverpool a focal point in attack.
Milner’s Miss
Of all the moments to miss a penalty, James Milner will likely rue this one more than any other miss in his career. It will simmer all the more should it prove a fatal blow to Liverpool’s European ambitions. All season, and for more than seven years, Milner has been money from the spot. Today he did not come through.
To his credit, Milner took full responsibility for the lost points. While it may ultimately offer little consolation, he showed his class in the aftermath. Given the amount of nonsense that went on around the awarding of the penalty, Milner was seemingly able to strike a decent shot on target, albeit perhaps a pinch too central. Fraser Forster simply guessed right and was able to push it away. The consequences remain to be seen.
Slow Substitutions
On more than a few occasions, Jurgen Klopp has delayed changing the shape of his side. If there has been one consistently criticism of the Liverpool manager this season it is in regards to substitutions. There have definitely been stretches where the options have been too limited but the criticism remains warranted.
Klopp’s confidence in his players is admirable and there are a number of players in the squad that might need a greater level of belief behind them. However, too often changes have seemed to come too late. Only when it has become clear to nearly everyone in the ground for some time are new players injected into the side. Leaving it so late has rarely worked for the Reds.
Superfluous Six
Lucas Leiva has experienced one of his best runs of form in recent memory, filling the deep midfield role for the Reds. With three assists in five matches and providing some shield for a wobbly back line, it is easy to understand Klopp’s temptation to play him again. Yet, at home and in need for urgency, a midfield of Lucas, Gini Wijnaldum, and Emre Can looked too slow, too safe, and far too one-dimensional.
This is not the first time that this has been the case either. While it looked like Wijnaldum and Can were too similar earlier in the season, It is the inclusion of Lucas as a holding midfielder that dampens the middle of the pitch. On the whole, he moves the ball too slowly, plays nearly as a third centre-back, and creates an imbalance in the side that saps its creativity. With Can playing deeper, there could be room for either Adam Lallana or Daniel Sturridge, depending on the shape.