Liverpool and Arne Slott relieved the pressure with an impressive win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux and progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals. In doing so, they avenged their defeat at the same ground earlier this week.
However, with the Champions League knockout stage just around the corner, the goodwill that was revived after the heartbreaking defeat in the league will likely evaporate unless Slott’s side switch to playing against Galatasaray in Turkey.
It’s very hectic. Supporters are hoping for some stability, not just a concerted challenge for silverware, but also a top-four or five-place finish in the Premier League and a successful bid for Europe’s elite competition next year.
If the manager is to achieve that, he will need to welcome some of the lessons learned from the two games at Wolverhampton.
How Liverpool beat Wolves
After Liverpool left Molineux with a win on Friday night, Slott was quick to point out the statistical similarities between that game and their Premier League defeat just three days earlier.
There was more than a grain of truth in Mr. Slott’s argument, but there was also a crucial difference. Mr. Rio Ngmoha. The 17-year-old winger’s direct and flashy attack has the ability to increase the number of seats, and his exciting style is something Liverpool have been unable to display on the wing this season.
Starting in Liverpool’s first game since the FA Cup third round tie against Barnsley in January, Ngmoha was a difference-maker following his notable cameo in the previous game against Wolves.
This shows that a reliable starting pitcher in the slot (the Dutch manager is less aggressive with changes than other managers) does not always provide the right mix and needs to be chopped and changed more often. Andy Robertson was proof of that too.
Roberton rekindled the old spirit with this work. It was a reminder of the days when Jurgen Klopp’s side partnered Trent Alexander-Arnold on the wing, tireless on the left.
Robertson is older and Trent is now playing for Real Madrid. However, another star stood up and reminded the boss that he was actually a new version of No. 66.
New torrents are now undroppable
Alexander-Arnold may be playing for one of Liverpool’s biggest European rivals, but in place of Curtis Jones, Slott has brought a new Scouser into the team who should probably play more football.
Jones has only started 11 games in the Premier League this season, but he has shown that his numbers should rise even more after his impressive and positive performance in the FA Cup.
The 24-year-old scored the third goal with a superb finish past Sam Johnstone from outside the penalty area to put Liverpool’s scoreline in doubt.
Although he is no Trent, the Three Lions star plays with passion and, although imperfect, this level of performance proves that he must continue to start football matches for the team in the slot.
After all, Jones ranks in the top 5% of Premier League midfielders this season for pass completion rate, top 9% for long ball success rate and top 15% for chance creation rate of around 90%, highlighting his skill at controlling and creating without beating opponents.
And that was on display at Molineux, with Jones playing in the upper echelons of midfield. To complement his goals, he didn’t miss a pass and didn’t miss a tackle.
Curtis Jones vs Wolves (FA Cup) | |
|---|---|
statistics | # |
Play time (minutes) | 90 minutes |
Goal + Assist | 1 + 0 |
touch | 60 |
Number of shots (on target) | 2(1) |
exact path | 51/51 (100%) |
loss of ownership | 2x |
An opportunity has arisen | 1 |
dribble | 1/1 |
Number of balls collected | 2 |
tackle win | 2/2 |
won a duel | 4/5 |
Liverpool have missed Alexander-Arnold’s creativity this season, but Jones has certainly ensured the Reds have a homegrown connection and a player who wants more of it.
Florian Wirtz made a cameo appearance in the FA Cup after returning from injury and the German playmaker is expected to start on Tuesday if he is fit enough.
While this may seem to have ended any chance of Jones retaining his starting role, Alexis Mac Allister is still far below his former level and arguments are already being made that the England international should replace him in the line-up.
Either way, if Jones continues to play with such energy and initiative, Slott should continue to start as Liverpool’s new homegrown hero.
He’s a monster: Liverpool seem to have found a Dias-Salah hybrid
Liverpool defeated Wolves at Molineux to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
