Liverpool analysis: Reds riled by former hero Luis Suarez as Georginio Wijnaldum experiment fails

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David Lynch1 May 2019

The history of football is long enough to have thrown up a number of noticeable patterns.

And Liverpool fell victim to one here as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona that has left their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

For large parts of this contest at Camp Nou, the Reds played well, as evidenced by their regular creation of chances.

But anyone who knows this sport is aware what happens when you don’t take those chances: the opposition tend to finish one of their own.

Rarely has this old adage been hammered home quite as cruelly as tonight, Barca benefiting from the kind bounce of a ball and then the otherworldly genius of their talisman Lionel Messi for their second and third goals.

Liverpool sank by moment of Messi magic.
REUTERS

However, it is telling that Jurgen Klopp’s side so often find themselves on the wrong side of that shakedown in big moments such as these.

As they lurch toward the end of another season contemplating the possibility of zero trophies being added to the Anfield cabinet, they might need to wonder whether there is more to this than ‘the narrative’ conspiring against them.

Reds fans learn flipside of Suarez appeal

During Luis Suarez’s three-and-a-half seasons at Anfield, many Liverpool supporters believed their No.7 was the subject of an unjust witch hunt.

Getty Images

However, having finally come up against the Uruguayan, perhaps Reds fans now have a better understanding of why he was reviled by members of the press and opposition fans alike.

Suarez should not have been expected to tone down his celebrations of a massive goal - no true football lover wants to see that.

But it is the playacting and constant attempts to get opponents carded that will have left a sour taste in the mouths of Reds supporters.

Perhaps only fans of Suarez’s current club can ever truly love him.

Wijnaldum experiment fails

On first look, Liverpool’s new shape in the absence of Roberto Firmino looked to be a 4-4-2 diamond and, at times in the defensive phase, it was.

Wijnaldum started in a more advanced role.
AP

But when the visitors were in possession, they moved to a 4-3-3 with Georginio Wijnaldum handed the unfamiliar role of centre-forward.

To be fair to the flexible Dutchman, he showed some excellent touches at times to bring others into play, as the Reds’ usual line-leader so often does.

Unfortunately, he lacks that striker’s knack of getting quick shots off, and so Barca were able to manage his threat in the box while keeping an eye on Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

How crucial that groin injury could prove to the outcome of this tie.

Keita injury typical of Reds’ night

Two or three months ago, an injury to Naby Keita would have barely registered on most Liverpool fans’ radar.

Keita was forced off early on.
REUTERS

But, without doubt, the visitors suffered from the loss of their in-form No.8 early on during this contest.

Keita had made an encouraging start, pressing well and probing the Barca midfield with his direct dribbling, but was unable to continue after sustaining what looked like a groin injury.

And, should that necessitate a long-term lay-off, the Guinean will be sorely missed during a run-in that look set up for him after marked recent improvement.

Liverpool will push Barca close at Anfield

The tie might be all but over for most, but the Anfield crowd are among the minority who will believe in their team’s chances.

There is no place quite like the Reds’ home ground on European nights, and the supporters’ task for the second leg could not be clearer.

They must do all they can to try and inspire what would represent one of the most stunning comebacks in the history of a club who have previous for such things.

An early goal would certainly light the blue touch paper and who knows how Barca might react?

Liverpool player ratings: Alisson 6, Gomez 4, Van Dijk 6, Matip 7, Robertson 5, Fabinho 7, Milner 6, Keita 6, Salah 6, Mane 6, Wijnaldum 5, Henderson 7, Firmino 6, Origi N/A

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