Mohamed Salah
After the game, the Liverpool manager dismissed suggestions that Salah has spent too much time in areas where he is far more ineffective. But while he has two goals and two assists to his name, Salah is simply not as dangerous as he was 12 months ago. The Egyptian also scored a late winner, but it was only in the first half of the game and he was still among his best in the second. Liverpool’s tactics themselves appear to be damaging to Salah, who is so often absent from the areas where he is most lethal. This is of course a season of transition for Liverpool’s attack as they get used to playing with a centre-forward in Darwin Nunes and no longer having Sadio Mane. But Klopp needs to find a way to make sure Salah sees more of the ball in those central areas where he is so ruthless.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool’s creator captain scored a belter at home to Bournemouth but has otherwise been well off his best this season. Game-time management is important, with Klopp saying the Reds “must” do it, but Alexander-Arnold hardly makes it difficult for Klopp to take him out of games. He was withdrawn after 58 minutes here and the 23-year-old lasted just 71 minutes against Newcastle in midweek. And it’s much easier for Klopp to take him off – he wouldn’t have been withdrawn in many matches last season – because the defender’s passes and deliveries haven’t had the same sharpness and precision of late. Alexander-Arnold has been a key catalyst in Liverpool’s success in recent seasons and for Liverpool to continue their consistent winning streak and get the best out of Nunez, they need to unlock the potential of their right-back again.
Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk’s season so far has been defined by poor performance for a player of his caliber. He gave away the penalty in the draw at Fulham, didn’t defend well enough for Jadon Sancho’s goal at Manchester United or Miguel Almiron at Newcastle – and should have been sent off here. He connected on the ankle with his studs in a recent challenge with Amadou Onana that left the Everton midfielder in pain for a few minutes. Had the referee been asked to reconsider his decision to issue only a yellow card, Van Dijk would surely have been sent off. The Dutchman was probably 6/10 at Goodison despite the red, but he’s just not at his best and Liverpool aren’t that formidable defensively as a result, regardless of their clean sheet.
Andy Robertson
Robertson is another player who has been well below his best this season and was benched in favor of Kostas Tsimikas here. However, the left-back, despite having fresher legs, did not improve much even as a substitute. The Scot has been one of Liverpool’s most reliable players since first breaking into Klopp’s starting line-up, but at the moment, like his full-back partner Alexander-Arnold, he is struggling to match his usual efficiency and at both ends of the field. This may be a result of fatigue from a few intense seasons. But whatever the cause of the problem, Klopp must find a solution. Kostas Tsimikas has been healthy enough in his position at Goodison, but Liverpool need their No.1 left-back to find form to have any joy this season.
