Football News: Lincoln City v Liverpool - A Liverpool Perspective

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Lincoln City v Liverpool A Liverpool Perspective

It was such a shame that no fans could be there for this match, as Lincoln really needed their support last night. They needed that lift of having their fans driving them on to turn this into a contest, especially after the first goal. As it was, they looked a team which failed to match up to Liverpool in any way. They seemed physically weaker and slower, technically miles off apart from one or two exceptions and tactically, well tactically there was no comparison. Having the fans there roaring them on might have given them enough drive to make it into a contest and slightly tip the balance back towards them.

Lincoln City

They gave their all and never gave up, even when 4 down, but they were out of their depth. Still managed to make a few chances and score a couple, but they did not really take advantage of the weak spots in the Liverpool team the way they should have.

Liverpool

Klopp - he got the right mix of youth and experience to see the team through at a canter.

Adrian - had a very good game, making a number of saves.

N. Williams - dallied on the ball in dangerous areas, lacked defensive awareness or any kind of reading of the game and is slow to react to danger. Even his crosses were not at their best. However he is young and learning a new position, Trent was not the best defensively in his first couple of seasons at right-back either.

R. Williams - on the ball he was composed and confident. Defensively though he was awful. Positionally he was all over the place and his awareness was dreadful. It was his debut though, so he might well have just been overawed. This game will have shown him he still has a lot to learn as well, when a great start could have led him to think it is all easy.

van Dijk - only played the first 45 minutes but was the main reason why the first half finished 4-0 to Liverpool. You could see they were lifted by his substitution.

Tsimikas - it was an impressive debut by the Greek, who looked extremely capable with both feet, strong and quick. He reminded me of Robertson in terms of attitude, that no-prisoners approach to rampaging up and down the flank always looking to take on opponents head on and never let them have a moment's peace. I am looking forward to seeing more of him.

Jones - stood out like a sore thumb and was my choice for man of the match. Not just because of his 2 goals but because of his all round contribution to the team. He was excellent, popping up all over the pitch and involved almost constantly. Jones showed he can pass, dribble, track back and shoot. The boy is growing into a man who is one hell of a player.

Shaqiri - looked really good in a midfield role, played some excellent passes, right up until he hurt himself playing one in the second half and had to be taken off. It is such a shame that his Liverpool career is going to be remembered for all his injuries as he always seems to perform well in those ten minute spells he gets between those injuries. When he has the quality to score goals like the free kick in this match, he really should be on the pitch more.

Grujic - while you have to bear in mind the opposition, as with all the good performances, but he looked really good. Grujic has put himself forward as a credible alternative/back up to Fabinho in the holding midfield role or to play as one of the two in front of him. His passing was good, he tackled back, protected the defence and worked extremely hard. He did enough to make me want to see more of him in a Liverpool shirt. Hopefully the deflection which assisted his goal is a sign of good fortune being on his side this season.

Elliott - struggled to impose himself on the game and was clearly frustrated to come off without scoring himself but he was busy and showed some nice touches. It was clear he has yet to build up an understanding with Minamino and Origi, but his movement was good and his workrate was excellent too.

Minamino - works like a trojan and fully deserved his two goals. The lad seems to be everywhere at times. It is hard not to warm to him and want him to succeed as he gives everything he has on the pitch for every second he is out there.

Origi - really struggled to get into the game but managed to finally get a goal right before the end. He really needs to get more regular football in a steady position. He has the ability and the workrate to do more, but he has not developed the understanding of his role that he needs.

Fabinho - replaced van Dijk at half-time. A planned substitution to protect van Dijk and to ensure Rhys Williams had a senior figure alongside him. Never looked comfortable on the left side, but did ok for a makeshift centre-back.

Jota - brought on in place of Elliott after 57 minutes. There were flashes of the player he could be, he worked hard and kept trying things but the link up with his teammates is not there yet.

Keita - came on instead of Shaqiri in the 75th minute after the Swiss international had begun limping. Offered little but the game was well over and he was unable to get any kind of control over it like he should have.

Written by Tris Burke September 26 2020 12:44:55