The Premier League title race pivoted back towards Manchester City as Liverpool lost their grip on top spot after being held to a 0-0 draw at Everton on Sunday.
The Reds were left to rue their profligacy in front of goal, Mohamed Salah a particular culprit as Everton’s stoicism was rewarded with a hard-earned point in the Merseyside Derby.
A fourth draw in their last six league games sees the title narrative shift towards City as Jurgen Klopp’s outfit transition from the hunted to the hunter.
But unlike their last away trip in which the Reds turned out a one-paced and limited display at Manchester United, they had their opportunities and Salah is the focus of our opening talking point from Goodison Park.
SALAH COSTS LIVERPOOL
Salah’s is tackled by Keane
This result saw Liverpool drop behind City without any games in hand for the first time in 2019.
That gap is only a solitary point and Pep Guardiola’s side are now the team which must handle the immense pressure of leading from the front.
There are many more twists and turns to come of course, but it’s exactly that unpredictable feature which has been siphoned out of their top scorer.
Liverpool appear to be fading and that is mirrored by the drop off from Salah. The Egyptian has scored just one goal in his last five league games and on Sunday, he cost the visitors dearly with two prime opportunities wasted.
Granted, he’s been expected to do more this season because of Klopp’s conservative nature, but only four of his 17 Premier League goals have been scored in 2019.
In the first half, a poor pass infield from Mogran Schneiderlin was picked off and with Lucas Digne pushed up, Salah had space to accelerate towards the box. His touch was clumsy, though, and he dribbled too wide. While he did manage to open his stance and try to curl into the left corner, his effort was too central and Jordan Pickford blocked with a strong hand.
It was imprecise, but the most concerning aspect was not his awkwardness in this isolated moment. Indeed, Salah missed good chances last season, yet he also seemed to eliminate that from his mind and bury the next one offered.
When another duly arrived in the second half, he was poor again. Joel Matip’s Messi-like – or rather messy – run saw the ball break to Salah in the box. Instead of striking early, the Liverpool attacker took a heavy touch and that allowed Michael Keane to produce a tremendous block.
In trying to be overly measured, Salah was ultimately inaccurate.
SIGURDSSON MASTERCLASS
Sigurdsson in action
If there is one player who can be absolved of blame for Everton’s struggles this season, it’s Gylfi Sigurdsson.
The Iceland international has scored 11 times in the Premier League this term, however, it was what he did away from goal which mightily impressed on Sunday.
Everton were in complete chaos as they attempted to pass out from the back. Jordan Pickford was horrible with the ball at his feet – evidenced by his 29.6 per cent pass completion in the first half – and Kurt Zouma was a picture of panic in front of him.
No one in Everton blue could grip the ball, but Sigurdsson at least tried to inject some urgency whenever in possession. His crafty touches and turns in tight spaces released a ton of pressure on the Everton defence and on the other side of the ball, he was magnificent also.
The 29-year-old’s work rate to blanket the influence of Fabinho was phenomenal as he habitually dropped in to press the Brazilian as Liverpool sought to funnel play through the middle.
He was comfortably Everton’s most gifted player but he showed much more than just guile on Sunday by producing a very understated masterclass.
VAN DIJK IS THE PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Virgil van Dijk
Hot take alert. It’s been said before of course and will obviously be said again, but Liverpool probably wouldn’t be anywhere near this title race were it not for the consistent excellence of Virgil van Dijk.
If there is one positive to take from a Liverpool perspective, it’s that while they don’t quite look so fluid in attack, they have very little to worry about defensively.
Van Dijk is a momentum black hole for opposition attacks because he simply sucks the ball towards him with outstanding positioning and tremendous application of his hulking frame.
His 13 clearances were comfortably a game high and the 27-year-old was simply otherworldly to deny Everton on the break. The players around him need to step up because no player is more deserving of trophies this season.
He’s been Liverpool’s best player, is perhaps Europe’s best centre-back and regardless of what happens to his team’s title run from now until May, is 2018/19’s standout star.
