Liverpool lacked creativity against Leeds
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Watch for free: Liverpool vs Leeds United highlights
This data does not convey any data on expected goals. Hugo Ekitike was able to beat Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perry and deflect Jeremy Frimpong’s shot towards goal, but the ball flew towards him. Immediately after, Florian Wirtz’s shot was blocked.
The expected total of 1.96 suggests that Liverpool were unlucky in their goalless draw with Leeds. In reality, they were suffocated by relentless opposition and lacked the creativity to break through, but Frimpong’s ferocious pace provided the only spark.
Wirtz finally got his start, scoring in the last game against Wolves and registering his first assist in the win over Tottenham the year before that. Although he received a minor injury, this meant a setback and he was unable to impose himself on James Justin.
“With their quality, you can always unlock them,” Justin himself told Sky Sports afterwards. However, despite adding Virgil van Dijk up front and attacking the Kop in the final stages, Liverpool never gained momentum.
As Arne Slott himself pointed out in a subsequent press conference, when faced with a low block, the best way to create is to make something happen with set-pieces, which Liverpool struggle with, or a bit of magic, which is also sorely lacking at the moment.
Liverpool’s shot map against Leeds shows they struggle to create many clear-cut chances
“It would have been nice to have more bodies in their box,” Slott said of the three moments in the first half when the ball was fired into the area from both sides. That requires a gamble on the midfielder. We need more support from Wirtz and others.
Back-to-back home games against Wolves and Leeds on either side of the New Year’s celebrations were an opportunity for Liverpool to build more overall momentum. If they won here, they would open up a five-point difference with Chelsea and stabilize their position in the standings.
Instead, the new year began with more questions than answers, with Liverpool still struggling to gain possession and a team that failed to ignite their season. They expect to score goals. But creating opportunities to actually score goals is the concern at the moment.
Adam Bate
Rodri’s return could change Man City
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Watch for free: Highlights of the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City.
Manager Josep Guardiola admitted his players had their “heads down” after Manchester City’s goalless draw with Sunderland, but their night was not without positives. Rodri’s return will be a big boost. Especially considering the quality of his performance.
The 29-year-old looked every bit like his old self as he replaced Nico Gonzalez at half-time, making his second appearance since November and October. Manchester City were transformed by his arrival, but he only missed the mark.
An immediate reminder of his quality came when he threaded a sharp pass to Phil Foden, leading to the first of two successive chances for Savignho. “Rodri gave us the second pass to break the line,” Guardiola said after the game.
He finished the game completing 58 passes in the same number of minutes, nearly 40 percent more than the player he replaced. Rodri kept City moving forward. There were accurate changes of play, chances were created and second balls were won.
His efforts were not rewarded with three points. Arsenal were the only winners on the night. However, his return could continue to be important, along with the return of a rejuvenated Jeremy Doch.
nick wright
Sunderland centre-back shows elite credentials
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Tense full-time scene as Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sunderland players clash
Robin Roofs made some important saves, but the Sunderland goalkeeper couldn’t have asked for much more in terms of defending against Manchester City. Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete continue to look like Champions League-level centre-backs.
Sunderland have only lost two of the 13 games the pair have started this season, but it was a perfect example of the quality they added to the squad after joining from Paris Saint-Germain and Getafe respectively in the summer.
Mukiele thoroughly enjoyed his battle with Erling Haaland, physically overpowering him on numerous occasions with the help of Alderete, and with his final defense of the second half prevented the Norwegian from scoring, finishing the game with double-digit clearances.
Sky Sports pundit Mika Richards said after the match: “City just couldn’t break through the brick wall at Sunderland’s back.” Mukiele and Alderete ensured that, with the two centre-backs showing elite qualities and helping Sunderland integrate with the Premier League’s big guns.
nick wright
Glasner is right about Crystal Palace’s ‘survival mode’
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Fulham.
“It’s no surprise to me that we’re in a bit of survival mode” – Oliver Glasner’s assessment of Crystal Palace after the draw with Fulham was spot on.
There were some bright moments, but the Eagles look like a team that’s just trying to get through each game without doing much damage or expending energy. Perhaps that hasn’t been the case in the last three Premier League games which ended in defeat.
In fact, they have lost consecutively in their last six games in all competitions. Their last win was on December 11th against Shelbourne in the Conference League.
But since then – just three weeks ago – Crystal Palace have been almost unstoppable, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal every few days, followed by a European game, which would require quite an explanation to explain the pre-Christmas calendar nightmare.
He also made the fewest changes to his starting XI in this year’s Premier League, naming the same team that lost to Fulham at the weekend.
The AFCON absences and injuries are likely due to an increased workload, which has had a major impact on one of the busiest periods of the season. There are three more games in nine days and we have time to get some more rest, which can’t happen quickly.
It’s a new year, so let’s think about the positives. It’s good that we got a point against an in-form Fulham side and ended our three-game losing streak in the league. While he won’t be selected in the impending signing of Brennan Johnson, the January slot is also open for a much-needed addition.
For now, Crystal Palace need to take one step at a time until they reach a better situation. As the Austrian coach himself said: “It’s not great football at the moment, but it’s really about going game by game, point by point.”
charlotte marsh
Frank reminded of better times as pressure mounts at Spurs
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur.
For Thomas Frank, the return to Gtech Community Stadium was always going to be an emotional one. It was his first visit since leaving Brentford to join Tottenham in the summer.
But if you had watched the full-time scene, you would have thought he was still the boss of the bees. After being booed by his supporters, Frank was given a heartwarming farewell by those who had given him the fondest memories. One person even handed out a gift bag.
This is a timely reminder of what life was like for Dane, but he first jumped in with the sharks. And now he is drowning in such dangerous waters.
After the team’s only shot on target in the 93rd minute, the supporters made their feelings clear with chants of “boring, boring Tottenham”.
What was once a safe haven for Frank is no longer a one-night stand. The pressure continues to mount, and a performance like this against a former employer could be the ultimate dagger against a current job.
Callum Bishop
Brentford’s good form at home continues
Manager Keith Andrews may see Brentford’s draw with Tottenham as a two-point loss given Brentford’s recent run of good results at home.
The stalemate at G-Tech ended the Bees’ five-game winning streak in the league in front of fans. In fact, their only loss in 10 seasons was against title challengers Manchester City.
That includes wins against Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle. It’s not only impressive, but one of the best in the country.
Only City, along with Arsenal and Aston Villa, have picked up more points at home than Keith Andrews’ side.
Many question marks were raised regarding the appointment of the Irishman. Was he ready? Was the job too much of a step up? One thing has become clear. He scored points at home and laid the foundation for making G Tech a tough place to come to.
While others in new jobs have struggled to replicate that form, Mr Andrews fended off much of the criticism of his appointment and ensured that the feel-good elements established under Thomas Frank continued throughout his tenure.
Callum Bishop
