Sky Sports’ football writers analyse the key talking points from Super Sunday where Liverpool got the job done – but were there signs of them feeling some pressure?
Are Liverpool resilient or fading?
“We are in title run-in season. There are huge cheers for a goal kick,” said Jamie Carragher on commentary. It summed up Liverpool’s relief.
After the loss to Plymouth and draw at Everton, Arne Slot’s side are back to winning ways via their 2-1 win over Wolves but was the victory the sign of champions or a team still feeling the pressure of a run-in?
Liverpool did not play well at Anfield, especially in the second half. Slot’s side managed zero shots after half-time and after Matheus Cunha’s strike created a grandstand finish, they were one superb Jarell Quansah tackle away from Wolves and Marshall Munetsi getting an equaliser.
It was an un-Liverpool performance – yet they still won. But they looked tired – and Slot agreed: “It was maybe the first time this season that players were more tired than they were in other games.”
So is the season and form starting to catch up with them?
Whether it’s resilience or a team starting to fade – what we do know is the next three games will decide which is which. Aston Villa away, Manchester City away, Newcastle at home – with three days between each fixture. We’re getting to crunch time in the title race now.
Sam Blitz
Garnacho the chief culprit for tame Man Utd
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Tottenham Hotspur’s win against Manchester United in the Premier League
Manchester United have now failed to score in 10 Premier League matches this season.
It’s the same number as Southampton.
It’s a remarkable feat for a football club so synonymous with “attack, attack, attack” and ruthless finishing. Sir Alex Ferguson must wince watching this current United team play football.
Ruben Amorim’s side created and missed chances at Spurs – as the total expected goals tally of 1.54 identifies. You could feel the manager’s frustration – both on the touchline and in the press conference afterwards.
Alejandro Garnacho was the chief culprit, squandering 0.39 worth of expected goals from his four efforts, three of which drew saves from Guglielmo Vicario, who very much deserved his clean sheet on his return. It’s now 695 minutes and over four months without a Premier League goal for Garnacho since he netted in a win over Leicester.
He has yet to score in the league under Amorim’s watch. A player of his undoubted attacking quality should be flourishing based on the central striking role employed under this manager where he’s seeing chances drop his way in dangerous areas of the box. He needs a goal.
Lewis Jones
A new start for Postecoglou?
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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou was relieved after his side secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester United
There was a ‘start of a new season’ feel to everything about Tottenham.
But this wasn’t August. This was February and Spurs’ Premier League season is set for mid-table obscurity. As Ange Postecoglou said, they won’t be getting relegated and they won’t be challenging for the European spots. But there is so much unfinished business for Postecoglou as he looks to rebuild some faith that he is the man to lead Spurs after a very rocky three months.
This was a good start. But only a start.
