A Dent in Liverpool's Armor

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Liverpool has actually been showing some weakness even before Sunday's match at Old Trafford. The reason no one saw Sunday's result coming is because they were playing Manchester United. This should have been a match the players were as hyped up as ever to play. And they were playing a fierce rival currently in turmoil looking awful. There should only have been one outcome. Well, that's not what happened.

Liverpool had won 17 straight league matches going into Sunday's game against United. This is true. And they won some of them in the style that champions win. Late goals to snatch the win and playing badly but still winning. I'm not convinced they can't win still because they did manage to still find a way to tie the game late despite having a poor game overall. They were also without Mo Salah for the match. They really can't afford to not have Salah for matches if they are to win the title. They don't have quite the same threat off the bench that City do. City had Aguero on the bench. Liverpool don't have that.

The concern for Liverpool would more likely be if teams are figuring out ways to get a result against them. It started with their very fortunate win at Sheffield United in late September. They only won that game because Blades keeper Dean Henderson made a howler to let the ball pass him. Liverpool were very fortunate to win that. In the following game, they blew a massive lead to Salzburg at home. Salzburg inexplicably took their foot off the gas after going level, and let Liverpool steal the win but there had to be some psychological impact that they came so close to blowing a 3 goal lead at home. They then got some fortune with the late penalty to get the win over Leicester, also at home. They were threatening to win the game and sometimes that's just what champions need to go all the way so you can forgive that. But then they had an international break to sort things out and come back. They needed to make a statement of intent against a club like Manchester United. They needed to get a similar result to the big win at Chelsea or the thrashing they gave Arsenal early on in the season. Dare I say United outplayed them the first 60 odd minutes of the match. United played 3 in the back and seemed to even have an idea what they were doing in defending up until Ashley Young decided to take a break and Adam Lallana decided to try his luck in case the ball went to him. It did. But overall it was not a great look for Liverpool that they didn't look particularly dominant in the match as a whole. It showed how desperately they need Salah. But some of the cracks were happening even when they had him. What's critical is they can't show too many weaknesses like this or more teams may figure out plans. If even United were able to conceive a game plan to halt Liverpool, surely better coaches than Solskjaer will be able to do the same.

It would also help if when Salah returns, he and Mane actually play like team mates rather than individuals who want the golden boot to themselves. That alone could actually cost this team the title if selfish behavior on either player's part costs Liverpool games. The stat that neither have assisted a goal by the other yet is a huge cause for concern.