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Liverpool took on Sevilla in their Champions League opener in what turned out to be an entertaining game. The hosts started really well but found themselves behind thanks to a goal from Wissam Ben Yedder in the 5th minute. The goal didn’t change the general flow of the game, though, as the hosts continued to dominate.
Liverpool's front three have been pretty good so far this season and they combined well on more than one occasion in the opening 20 minutes. A fluid move saw Jordan Henderson playing Alberto Moreno who found Roberto Firmino for a tap-in in the 21st minute.
It was one-way traffic after the goal as Sevilla simply couldn’t deal with the Liverpool press and were behind in the 37th minute when Mo Salah’s shot was deflected and found the back of the net. The side should have scored a third but Firmino hit the post via a penalty kick to keep the score at 2-1.
The second half saw Liverpool take their foot off the gas and they were duly punished. Sevilla made a few changes that worked well for them as Luis Muriel added more pace to their attack and played a key role in the equaliser.
Here are five talking points from the game...
#5 Liverpool’s defence fails again
It’s become so common that I actually had second thoughts of using this as a talking point. Any Liverpool fan who sees Lovren’s name alongside Matip has his/her heart in his mouth even before the game begins. Lovren, who didn’t feature in the 5-0 hammering at the hands of Man City last weekend, failed to clear a simple cross which led to the opening goal.
While Matip did impress with his forward runs every now and then, he too didn’t have the best of games at the back and looked nervy in the final few minutes. A horribly sliced clearance, in the end, could have ended in more misery on another day for the Cameroonian.
Joe Gomez had a good game against Arsenal but was sent off against Sevilla in the end and was largely ineffective on the right. Only Alberto Moreno had a decent game.
With a lot to work on, Klopp might already be thinking if it was alright to let go of Sakho without signing any alternative.
#4 Sevilla hang in there to exploit Liverpool’s system
Sevilla have had a pretty solid start to their league campaign having picked up seven out of a possible nine. They came to Anfield knowing Liverpool’s record against the Spanish team’s in the group stages and their recent league result which would have hurt them. But what they also knew was Liverpool were bound to run out of steam.
Sevilla couldn’t do much in the first half as Liverpool pressed them really well, but in the second half, they suddenly started winning more second balls and the turnovers. As the game wore on and Liverpool seemed tired, the introduction of Luis Muriel bore fruit as he often found himself with time and space.
Correa’s goal might have been a tad lucky, but credit to Sevilla for remaining in the game and hitting Liverpool with the closest thing that is to a sucker punch.
#3 Hard for Coutinho to find a consistent spot in this team
Klopp’s pressing system works best in the 4-3-3 and even though they managed to keep Coutinho, it’s hard to see him fit in that three-man midfield. The trio of Can, Henderson and Wijnaldum complement each other really well and they have the muscle factor as well.
Coutinho is obviously more attack-minded and creative and would ideally be the best option on the left or in a 4-2-3-1 setup. But will Klopp chop and change to that degree? We’ll have to wait and see.
After he came on, he played on the left of the midfield but it's hard to see what he'll offer apart from his creativity. The likes of Can and Wijnaldum, on the other hand, are hard working players and have a role to play in turnovers.
#2 Sevilla’s efficiency is a stern reminder of what could hurt Liverpool this season
There’s nothing wrong in trying to play champagne football, but the way Liverpool maraud forward leaves a lot of space behind. Teams don’t have to pepper the Liverpool goal to score, they just need to be efficient. It’s not as if Liverpool play a tight system where you’ve got to be patient and test the keeper from 25 yards out.
Sevilla took just three shots compared to Liverpool’s 18 and still managed to come away with a point, which shows once you get through the Liverpool midfield, you don’t have to be pass-masters or finisher extraordinaire.
Liverpool’s front footed football needs better players at the back since it's the foundation. While Matip is more of a front-footed defender, Lovren isn’t a cultured covering defender; the ideal centre-half combination needed for any type of football. In fact, many don’t even know what exactly he is apart from being a walking disaster right now.
#1 Sevilla win the battle of substitutions
It was kind of surprising that Liverpool, who play a demanding style, didn’t make any change until the 76th minute when Coutinho came on for Emre Can. By that time, Sevilla had already equalised and had Klopp made a few changes earlier to preserve the freshness in the team, matters could have been different.
Sevilla, on the other hand, planned theirs well. Ben Yedder didn’t have the best of games and the introduction of Muriel, who had pace and a bit of steel about him, pressed in the final third when Liverpool had the ball.
The forced introduction of Pablo Sarabia actually worked in Sevilla’s favour as he didn’t allow Moreno to be as adventurous as he was in the first half.
Despite their manager’s sending off, Sevilla’s subs managed to execute the game plan perfectly. Klopp and co. have much to ponder upon in the coming months.
