Liverpool could be left with a major
problem after Fabinho limped off against Napoli.
Fabinho offers an unwanted glimpse
into future
Liverpool already knew they'd be
without Fabinho for the Premier League visit of Brighton and Hove Albion at the
weekend, the Brazilian suspended after picking up five bookings this season. Football
supporters from around the world can buy Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its
brilliant actions.
Fabinho was forced to admit
defeat just 19 minutes in, nursing a sore ankle having been
caught by the falling Napoli forward Hirving Lozano. A complete accident, it
came at precisely the wrong time for a Liverpool side already struggled to
muster much momentum against the Italians.
Indeed, it was no coincidence Dries
Mertens struck the opener as the Reds were still looking to adjust, Gini
Wijnaldum introduced ostensibly as the holding midfielder.
The Dutchman has done the job before
on several occasions, Jordan Henderson has extensive experience while, in the
recent win at Aston Villa, it was the role of Adam Lallana. However, missing
Fabinho for a game is one thing.
Having the Brazilian sidelined for
any period of time is quite another, particularly with a hectic December
schedule - nine games in 25 days - on the horizon. Klopp, then, will cross his
fingers and hope the damage is not too serious.
Gomez finds it tough
Europe continues to play an important
part in Joe Gomez's rehabilitation in Liverpool. While the defender has started
just one Premier League game since returning in
April from the broken leg suffered almost five months earlier, the visit of
Napoli was a fourth subsequent start in the Champions League.
However, Gomez was asked to replicate
his UEFA Super Cup appearance against Chelsea, featuring at right-back with
Trent Alexander-Arnold among the substitutes.
Defensively, there were no real
issues, save a brief period in the second half when he appeared to forget where
the ball was inside the area. Going forward, though, Gomez is not Alexander-Arnold.
Nobody is.
And with Liverpool struggling to
break down a well-drilled Napoli side defending a lead, the England man was
asked to do a job that went against his natural game.
Gomez is a Centre-back by trade and it’s
in that position, Jurgen Klopp sees the long-term future of England
international.
After so long out, the 22-year-old
will always welcome the opportunity of minutes. And the chopping and changing
of position mean it's unfair to judge his form at present.
But with Dejan Lovren the man in
possession alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defense, Gomez must be
content with a bit-part role. For now.
The Champions League poser
Ever since lifting the trophy in
June, there has been a sense, certainly among the Anfield crowd, that priorities
have clearly shifted towards native title success.
Perhaps it's the seemingly
unattractive group opponents Genk and RB Salzburg, or the familiarity of facing
Napoli again. But European nights haven't quite had the same edge as in recent
years under Klopp.
Siya Kolisi, a skipper of rugby union
World Cup winners South Africa, was among those watching from the stands. However,
arguably the only thing that got the crowd going before Liverpool's belated
second-half revival was the performance of lamentable referee Carlos Del Cerro
Grande. So ends Liverpool's run of consecutive home wins at 17, two shorts of
the club record set in 1972.
And the failure to secure a knockout
berth with a game to spare means Klopp won't be afforded the luxury of resting
players for the final group clash in Salzburg in a fortnight, slap bang in the
middle of that pivotal December period. Mind you, it wouldn't be Liverpool if
they weren't doing things the hard way.
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