Liverpool present creativity downside in opposition to Leeds as Rodri impresses on Man Metropolis return at Sunderland – Premier League hits and misses

Liverpool lack creativity in opposition to Leeds

The expected-goals information actually fails to inform the story with this one. Hugo Ekitike might have diverted Jeremie Frimpong’s shot goalwards with Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri overwhelmed, however the ball was blasted at him. Florian Wirtz’s shot quickly after was effectively blocked.

The anticipated whole of 1.96 suggests Liverpool had been unlucky of their goalless draw in opposition to Leeds. The fact is that they had been stifled by dogged opposition and lacked the creativity to interrupt them down, Frimpong’s uncooked tempo offering the one spark on present.

Wirtz had lastly opened his account by scoring within the earlier recreation in opposition to Wolves, having registered his first help within the win over Tottenham previous to that. Carrying a slight harm, this represented a backward step, failing to impose himself on James Justin.

“With the quality they have, they can unlock you at any moment,” Justin himself advised Sky Sports activities afterwards. However Liverpool by no means did construct any momentum, even when attacking the Kop late on having thrown forwards on with Virgil van Dijk becoming a member of them up prime.

As Arne Slot himself identified within the press convention afterwards, when dealing with a low block the very best methods to create are set items, which Liverpool are fighting, or by making one thing occur with a little bit of magic, which can be sorely missing proper now.

“It would have been nice if there were more bodies in their box,” stated Slot of the three moments within the first half when the ball was flashed throughout the world from both flank. That wants midfielders to gamble. It wants extra from Wirtz and others out vast.

Again-to-back residence video games in opposition to Wolves and Leeds both aspect of the New Yr celebrations had been a chance for Liverpool to construct momentum extra typically. A win right here would have opened up a five-point hole on Chelsea, stabilising their place.

As an alternative, the brand new 12 months begins with extra questions than solutions, Liverpool nonetheless struggling to make their possession rely, a crew whose season has did not ignite. They anticipate to attain targets. However creating the possibilities to really rating targets is a priority proper now.
Adam Bate

Rodri’s return can rework Man Metropolis

Pep Guardiola admitted his gamers had been left with their “heads down” after Manchester Metropolis’s goalless draw with Sunderland however their night was not with out positives. Rodri’s return to motion is a big enhance. Particularly given the standard of his efficiency.

On at half-time to switch Nico Gonzalez for his first look since November and solely his second since October, the 29-year-old seemed each bit like his outdated self. Manchester Metropolis had been reworked by his introduction, solely lacking a purpose.

There have been prompt reminders of his high quality, the primary of which got here when he slid an incisive move via to Phil Foden within the lead-up to the primary of two Savinho possibilities in fast succession. “Rodri gave us the second pass, to break the lines,” stated Guardiola afterwards.

He completed the sport having made 58 passes, almost 40 per cent greater than the participant he changed, and in the identical variety of minutes. Rodri saved Metropolis transferring ahead. There have been correct switches of play, possibilities created and second balls gained.

His efforts weren’t rewarded with three factors. Arsenal had been the one winners on the night time. However his return, coupled with that of a rejuvenated Jeremy Doku, might but show essential.
Nick Wright

Sunderland centre-backs present elite credentials

Robin Roefs made some very important saves however the Sunderland goalkeeper could not have requested for rather more when it comes to safety in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete proceed to appear like Champions League-level centre-backs.

Sunderland have solely misplaced two of the 13 video games the pair have began this season and this was the very best instance but of the standard they’ve added to the aspect following their arrivals from Paris Saint-German and Getafe respectively in the summertime.

Mukiele relished his battle with Erling Haaland, overpowering him bodily on a string of events with assist from Alderete, who prevented the Norwegian from going via on purpose with one excellent piece of last-ditch defending within the second half, and completed the sport having reached double figures for clearances.

“City just couldn’t get through the Sunderland brick wall at the back,” stated Sky Sports activities pundit Micah Richards afterwards. Mukiele and Alderete made certain of it, two centre-backs displaying elite credentials and serving to Sunderland combine it with the Premier League’s large weapons.
Nick Wright

Glasner is true about Crystal Palace in ‘survival mode’

“It’s not a surprise for me that we are a little bit in survival mode” – Oliver Glasner’s evaluation of Crystal Palace after drawing with Fulham hit the nail on the pinnacle.

Whereas there have been a couple of shiny moments, the Eagles appear like a crew simply making an attempt to get via every recreation with out an excessive amount of injury being performed and vitality exerted. Arguably, that hasn’t been the case for the earlier three Premier League video games which led to defeats.

In truth, they’ve alternated between losses and defeats of their final six video games throughout all competitions. Their final win was in opposition to Shelbourne within the Convention League on December 11.

Nevertheless it maybe goes an extended approach to clarify that since then – precisely three weeks in the past – Crystal Palace have hardly stopped, taking part in each few days with a Carabao Cup quarter-final in opposition to Arsenal in addition to Europe throwing up a calendar nightmare earlier than Christmas.

They’ve additionally made the fewest adjustments to their Premier League beginning XIs this 12 months, naming the identical crew in opposition to Fulham that misplaced to Spurs on the weekend.

AFCON absences and accidents – doubtless right down to the elevated workload – are taking their toll over one of many busiest intervals of the season. They now have three extra video games in 9 days earlier than time for slightly bit extra relaxation – one thing that certainly can not come quickly sufficient.

And as it is a new 12 months, let’s contemplate the positives. A degree in opposition to an in-form Fulham, ending a run of three league defeats, is nice. The January window is now open too for some much-needed reinforcements, though he wouldn’t be drawn on an imminent deal for Brennan Johnson.

For now, Crystal Palace have to take it one step at a time till they attain a greater place. Because the Austrian supervisor stated himself: “At the moment, it’s not brilliant football but it’s really to go game-by-game and point-by-point.”
Charlotte Marsh

Frank given reminder of excellent instances as strain builds at Spurs

It was all the time certain to be an emotional return to the Gtech Group Stadium for Thomas Frank. His first go to since leaving Brentford in the summertime to take the job at Tottenham.

In the event you had watched the full-time scenes although, you’d have thought he was nonetheless the Bees boss. After being serenaded with boos from his personal supporters, Frank was given a heartwarming goodbye from those that he had given a few of their fondest recollections. He was even handed a present bag by one.

It’s a well timed reminder of what life was like for the Dane however he jumped in with the sharks at first. And proper now, he’s sinking in such harmful waters.

Together with his crew’s solely shot on the right track coming within the 93rd minute, supporters made their emotions clear with chants of ‘boring, boring Tottenham.’

A spot that was as soon as a protected haven for Frank was, for one night time solely, something however. The strain is constant to mount and it could possibly be that such a efficiency in opposition to his former employer acts as the final word dagger to his present job.
Callum Bishop

Brentford’s spectacular residence type continues

In some facets, Keith Andrews might view the draw with Tottenham as two factors dropped given the run Brentford have been on at residence of late.

The stalemate on the Gtech ended a run of 5 straight league wins for the Bees in entrance of their followers. In truth, their solely defeat in 10 was in opposition to title challengers Manchester Metropolis.

That very run contains wins over Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle. It’s not simply spectacular, it’s among the best within the nation.

Solely the aforementioned Metropolis, together with Arsenal and Aston Villa, have picked up extra factors at residence than Keith Andrews’ aspect.

Many query marks had been raised relating to the Irishman’s appointment. Was he prepared? Was the job an excessive amount of of a step up? One factor has develop into clear. He has constructed a basis on selecting up factors at residence and making the Gtech a tough place to return to.

Whereas others in new jobs have struggled to copy that form of type, Andrews has gotten loads of critics of his appointment off his again and ensured the texture good issue constructed underneath Thomas Frank has continued underneath his tenureship.
Callum Bishop