Liverpool Still Far Exceeding Expectations For Season
Tis the season to still possibly top the table
It's a weird universe where you can play Man United, who arrive in the European places (and not the relegation zone), and have a mind-blowing 28 more shots than them, 12 corners to zero, boss the xG and over two-thirds of possession, and it be seen as a bad day at the office.
That's how much of a banana skin I foresaw this match as being, in terms of the disparity between a still-expensive United side who aren't as bad away from home, and people assuming a 7-0 could follow a 7-0, when after big wins against teams in previous game, Liverpool have often lost or drawn the next one.
It was an excellent performance by Jürgen Klopp's men in many ways to rack up those numbers, only to be undone by just about every kind of mistake possible in the final third, at the key points: poor touches, poor ideas, poor executions.
And remember, United have lost four home Premier League games, including being battered by Bournemouth (and City), as well as battered by Newcastle at Old Trafford in the cup, and losing to Galatasaray and Bayern in the Champions League.
But away, the pressure is off; they're able to go into their fairly cowardly shell and just try and break, as they have for pretty much the last umpteen managers (and this time there was no Bruno Fernandes to drag down the tone). United can't win when they're expected to win, but they can put the entire team behind the ball away from home with less frustration from their fans.
And so, the Reds are a point off the top, still with having played one more game away than at home, and having gone to Man City, Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle and Brighton. And home to Villa and now Man United, and none of the relegation fodder.
Half a dozen injuries to experienced players, some for most of the season, and a brand new midfield? And a win against Arsenal at home at the weekend to see the Reds top the table at Christmas?
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