Author Archives: lzozo

Echo player ratings Wolves 1-2 LFC | How did Minamino play in his first Premier League game?

Liverpool had to do things the hard way, but still emerged victorious as they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at Molineux. The Midlands outfit gave the Reds a stern test of their title credentials and Jurgen Klopp’s men proved equal to the task.

Young Japanese star Takumi Minamino made his maiden Premier League appearance as a first half substitute for the injured Sadio Mane.

Here is how the Echo rated Liverpool’s players following their efforts in this midweek clash. They thought Minamino “struggled with the pace of the game” on occasion and gave him a 6/10 rating.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs Wolves Echo 2020

The game also saw Alisson’s run of clean sheets broken- Raul Jimenez’s goal was the first one that the Brazilian has let past him in 2020. Liverpool’s winner came in the 84th minute, a Salah nutmeg setting up Roberto Firmino just before Klopp threw super sub Divock Origi on to the field.

LFC player ratings vs Wolves 2020 Liverpool Echo

Sheffield United 0-1 Liverpool | Reds win but do it the hard way

Liverpool continued their fine run of form against newly promoted opposition but were made to work hard for their narrow win by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The result took them to seven straight wins in the 2019/20 season, keeping their five point lead intact at the top of the table.

The Reds had won their previous 12 against promoted sides, but had to wait until the 70th minute for their winner, and weren’t able to muster even a single shot on target in the first half. Jurgen Klopp chose to keep faith with the same XI that had done the business the previous week against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

SHU LIV

Liverpool’s two best chances of the first half both fell to Sadio Mane, but the usually prolific Senegalese international failed to convert both- one shot over the bar and the other hitting the woodwork. Continue reading →

Why Napoli Boss Carlo Ancelotti is the Reds’ Nemesis

Liverpool began the defence of their UEFA Champions League crown with defeat in Naples. It’s not the first time Jurgen Klopp’s crew have come unstuck in the Stadio San Paolo either.

The Reds have lost twice in the group stage to Napoli away in the space of a year. While the 1-0 reverse of October 2018 proved no barrier to European success last season, a repeat defeat in their pool opener begs the question does Carlo Ancelotti have Liverpool’s number?

History between the Napoli boss and Merseyside outfit goes back to 2005 and a city on the frontier between Europe and Asia. A little place on that cultural crossroads called Istanbul. Continue reading →