"Last season, there was a coldly efficient streak to Liverpool. They rolled out a series of unremarkable 2-0 wins, a title rooted in unfussy competence. This season could hardly be more different; they are neither unfussy nor competent. They led 2-0 and, four minutes intostoppage time, they led 3-2, and yet still they didn't win it. It was tremendous fun, but Arne Slot will have hated it. Just as no side can be sure whether a win at West Ham in their previous away match means they've played well or were just playing West Ham, so it would be unwise to read too much into this mishmash of the haplessness and excellence. Their three goals all resulted from fine finishes and one from clever buildup play, but the image of the game once again would be Virgil van Dijk standing hands on hips, steam rising both literally and metaphorically as he glared in disbelief at the bizarrely diffident defending around him."
"Sometimes the opening minutes of a half can give an entirely false impression. As Leeds had three shots in the opening five minutes, it seemed that they might be about to carry on the form that enabled them to rattle Manchester City in the second half of their defeat at the Etihad a week ago before beating Chelsea on Wednesday. Here was the next stage of football's 1980s revival: a front two. Here was another example of modern centre-backs struggling to deal with old-fashioned ideas like both of them having to mark without the contingency of one of them covering. But it didn't work out like that. Other than Curtis Jones whipping a shot against the bar, very little happened for the rest of the first half, which felt like an achievement from a Liverpool point of view."
Liverpool's form shifted from last season's efficient 2-0 wins to erratic performances, leading twice but failing to secure victory. The team reached a 3-2 lead four minutes into stoppage time yet conceded, reflecting a mix of fine finishing and disorganised defending. Three goals came from precise finishes and one from clever buildup play, while Virgil van Dijk reacted in visible disbelief at diffident defending. Leeds began strongly with three early shots and used a front-two approach that unsettled modern centre-backs. After a quiet first half, Liverpool appeared to have the match won early in the second half, but that advantage proved illusory.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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