Dominik Szoboslzai makes an impression during Liverpool’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Szoboszlai unexpectedly banished
It was really a question of time until Dominik Szoboszlai addressed the one issue that was oddly absent from his extraordinarily successful debut at Anfield.
As the Reds attempted to build on the momentum from Diogo Jota’s opening goal, Szoboszlai scored in a characteristically decisive manner ten minutes before halftime.
Following an acceptance of a pass from Jota, the Liverpool midfielder surged into the area for the return pass, sent Mohamed Salah wide, and then pulled the ball back from the byline for Darwin Nunez to score.
Remarkable Szoboszlai’s first direct assist in a competitive game since joining Liverpool in the summer, which scarcely speaks to the impact he has had on the attacking efforts and tempo of the Reds.
He didn’t have to wait long for his second, albeit somewhat against his will as Forest goalie Matt Turner, playing miles outside of his comfort zone, gave the Hungarian’s straightforward clearance a hard time, making Salah just the third player in Liverpool history to score in the team’s first five home games of the season.
Because of his engine, Szoboszlai was always there in the Premier League and ran as hard in the final minute as he did in the first. In just his first ten Premier League appearances, the 23-year-old has already established himself as a mainstay.
Mac Allister is still learning.
Not everything has been that simple for each summer arrival. However, there is increasing assurance that Alexis Mac Allister is adjusting to both his new role in the club and life at Liverpool.
That assertion was reinforced by a strong performance against a constrained but resilient Nottingham Forest, especially in handling the physical demands of playing at number six.
Even if the Argentine never seems to be fully comfortable in the unfamiliar position, in this instance his perseverance was a great asset, best seen when he took Murillo’s possession to start Liverpool’s counterattack and sent Salah running off.
It was reminiscent of his role in setting up the game-winning second goal in the Reds’ derby victory over Everton the previous weekend. This showed promise for Liverpool’s future when Mac Allister is used more upfield in terms of accuracy and passing vision.
However, he is just one booking away from receiving a Premier League suspension—an absence Klopp is unlikely to be able to afford anytime soon.
Wataru Endo, the defensive midfield prospect in waiting, at least received more first-team playing time in the closing stages, and both Ryan Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott, who came on as a second-half substitute, made valuable contributions.
Van Dijk quietens doubters
It would be easy to think Virgil van Dijk is done when you hear the commotion emanating from Holland. Thank goodness, Liverpool is not at all associated with such drivel.
Van Dijk, who had been outstanding in the previous weekend’s victory over Everton, once again excelled against an attacking threat from Forest that was, to put it mildly, only capable of forcing one save out of Alisson Becker, and that was only in the last seconds.
Van Dijk is starting to get used to playing in the later phases of his career. He is readjusting his defensive manoeuvres and keeping in mind that his pace is obviously not as quick as it was when he was younger.
Additionally, it made it possible for Liverpool to maintain consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time this year. As a matter of fact, only Manchester City and Arsenal have allowed less goals in 10 games than the Reds’ defence, which is still under scrutiny.
This season, Klopp’s team has won eight straight games at Anfield in all competitions, which has helped them to stay up with those two teams as well as the early leaders, Tottenham Hotspur.
The differences between Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Chelsea—who are currently six, eight, and eleven points behind Liverpool, respectively—are more fascinating, though. The previous season taught the Reds that these kinds of discrepancies are difficult to overcome.
More news…….
Colombian report: Luis Diaz’ parents were kidnapped
The parents of Liverpool striker Luis Diaz were kidnapped in Barrancas on Saturday, according to Colombia.
Late Saturday, shocking news broke that Diaz’s parents had been kidnapped from their home country.
Colombia’s Semena channel was the first to report the story, which was later confirmed by authorities.
Luis Manuel Diaz and Cilenis Marulanda were kidnapped after the attackers hijacked the vehicle they were in.
The kidnappers arrived on a motorcycle before taking control of the Diaz family’s van on the way back to the Los Olivos area.
The police and military rushed to identify the player’s parents, after which his mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued.
This extremely upsetting news, which raises concerns about the safety of the families of well-known football players, comes just before regional elections take place throughout Colombia.
As of right now, it is unknown if Diaz will play in Sunday afternoon’s Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest match.
It would make sense, though, and be anticipated, if the 26-year-old were to receive compassionate leave.
Club statement:
Liverpool Football Club have confirmed that they are aware of the situation of Luis Diaz’s family in Colombia.
We sincerely hope that this issue will be resolved quickly and safely.
“In the meantime, the welfare of our players remains our top priority.”
The Premier League match kicks off at 14:00 (GMT) at Anfield and Diaz is likely to start.
Diaz is considered Colombia’s most important player at the moment, putting pressure on 43 goalkeepers during his international break.
So far this season, he has appeared in 9 out of 11 games for Liverpool, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist
