Despite the gulf between the two sides, Liverpool’s win over Accrington Stanley was significant for a number of reasons…
FOUR-NIL. Four goals. Four goals telling different stories about four different players.
Diogo Jota (29’)
There’s a constant need for a scapegoat at Liverpool so Diogo’s goal has weirdly been read in some quarters as a criticism of Darwin Nunez. ‘Good to have a real number nine back’ etc. I find that odd. I’ll admit the Uruguayan frustrates me, but as long as he wears my shirt, and he plays my preferred number nine in ‘to score Liverpool’s opener’, he’ll do for me.
That and the City Ground last season. We should be building stands for that alone.
That’s not about Jota, though. It’s great to have him back after such a bad injury (being dragged back on the halfway line by the last man and being used as a human trampoline is clearly not a red card matter) and as soon as he gets back into shape and form, we’ll be flying again.
I absolutely adore Diogo Jota and I’d rather he have a one-on-one shot more than any other Liverpool player, which seems a bit of a nonsense given that the lad to his right has knocked in a few over the years. A welcome return goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (45’)
I wrote about him a week ago, trying to be a mature voice of reason after he’d played the worst game of his career. The gist of it was that we support our lads no matter what.
I take on all points about attitude and mistake counts when playing against Manchester United of all teams, but some of the vitriol was too much – almost gleeful. Oh, I was agreeing on the actual day of the game – don’t get me wrong – but I really don’t want the following months to be clouded in hate if he makes the wrong decision.
Of course, he was terrible against United, but then he comes on against Spurs and calms everything down. Graceful, professional and sublime. Then, on Saturday…
His goal is beautiful in its precision, its art and its timing. It was gorgeous, but I’ll admit I just wanted to see how he celebrated it more than a replay of it.
I mean, there were so many options. A shout at the Kemlyn Road end? A cup of the ear? Some weird persiflage sign that will be interpreted and misinterpreted by the world? No, none of that. Just arms spread and a big, big smile. A man at peace with his own mind after a hell of a week. It was perfect.
He plays for us until he tells us otherwise and he hasn’t told anyone anything yet if the rumours are to be believed.
His smile was my personal highlight.
Jayden Danns (76’)
How can you not love him? The hair, the attitude, the big grin, the fact that he prefers to train in shorts and no layers in the cold because he overheats. I’ve a lot of time for that last one.
Three goals in just over a game for Liverpool. I’ve time for that, though.
Again, the tiresome memes flew out about Darwin not scoring, but football doesn’t work like that. Chances fall in different ways, so comparisons are irrational. In any case, Liverpool scored and ended the contest and that’s all that matters. The goal scorer is immaterial.
Anyway, like I say. The City Ground last season…
But I was made up it was him. There’s something great about a local lad doing something special at Anfield, particularly as I’m beginning to give up that dream. Oh, I don’t know though. Maybe there’s still time…
His enthusiasm is infectious. I hope he makes it, and I hope he makes it here. I love a striker who just happens to be in the right place when a stray ball comes in.
Most of all I like that his grandad was a European title-winning skateboarder. How many of us can say that?
He’s going to be great, Jayden Danns.
And then…
Federico Chiesa (90’)
Freddie Church. This one topped off a lovely afternoon. It was the second time that day we’ve seen someone come through a dodgy time and be rewarded for the goal, hopefully with the prospect of more to come.
Again, there are some snipers who complain about his fitness record, but it’s important to remember that no one wants to be unwell, knackered or physically capable of playing in one of the toughest leagues in the world, particularly as he’s travelled halfway across Europe to be here.
I’ll never understand the naysayers here. I don’t think there’s anything wrong to have a lad on the bench who is an Italian international and can play either wing. There’s talk of moving on already, but I hope it’s just speculation. He had some lovely touches at the weekend, and it was great to see his ‘too knackered to run, too shy to go nuts’ celebration.
This is a strange time for The Reds. The United game still disappoints and once again we came up against a stern challenge midweek in the form of a PGMOL ref (very much playing on their home ground) and we all want this weird spell of flatness and inertia to be over.
No one’s going to see Accrington Stanley as a scalp, but we’d rather have a 4-0 win at home than, say, extra time against Tamworth.
Let’s hope this game begins a bit of a reset. A reintroduction of a bit of sparkle.
And Forest away is perfect. If Arne Slot is the sort of man who bears a grudge, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. A win there would lay a lot of ghosts to rest, though I don’t think he’ll ever get over Forest at Anfield.
A 4-0 win and Plymouth to come. Nice.
Forest, though. It’s all about Forest.
Bear a grudge, Arne.
