Analysis of Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Inter at San Siro touches on some of the game’s big talking points
As two of the three new attacking totems signed to lead Liverpool into the next phase of the Arne Slot era back in the summer, the head coach has been averse to using both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the same starting lineup.
Just once, prior to this 1-0 win over Inter, had they started together and that only lasted 45 minutes after Isak pulled up with a groin injury in the 5-1 shellacking of Eintracht Frankfurt on October 22.
But with Mohamed Salah left on Merseyside on account of his insubordination at Elland Road on Saturday night and Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa sidelined with injury and illness, respectively, Slot had little choice but to name his £200m strike force together. First-world problems, Arne?
It was Ekitike who was the brighter of the two and the early signs are inconclusive. One drilled effort across the face by was saved by Yann Sommer when a dink to the back post might have given Isak the simple task of nodding home.
Another counter-attack saw Ekitike swarmed before he could release his colleague into the acres of grass behind the Inter defence and Isak generally found it tough to get into things, as has been a common theme since his £125m move to Newcastle.
One through ball from Ryan Gravenberch after the break saw both make the same run for it, which led to Andy Robertson’s subsequent cross being easier to defend with just Alexis Mac Allister to aim for in the box. There were some gently encouraging signs but a fearsome, potent partnership looks some way off yet.
Konate gets foothold
With the versatile Joe Gomez alongside him once more, it was no surprise to see a much improved performance from Ibrahima Konate at San Siro.
Konate has been lambasted as anyone during this miserable period for Liverpool and had Slot not been short on actual centre-backs – owing to the season-long injury for Giovanni Leoni and the failure to sign March Guehi – then the France international might have been ‘dropped’ weeks ago.
Slot has been forced to persevere with Konate as a result, unwilling to station Gomez in his preferred position at centre-half, which is a decision that probably lays bare how short of right full-backs the head coach has been this term also.
But if some of the even-handed critiquing of Konate’s displays have been fair, then it is only right to give credit where it is due also. The centre-half looked much more dependable in Italy, keeping the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram quiet as Inter suffered their first home defeat in the Champions League for three years.
“I would like to highlight one player because he has been highlighted in a negative way and that is Konate,” Slot said. “I don’t think him and Virgil made a mistake at all.”
This was much more like it from a player who too often is not as commanding or imposing as his physical gifts suggest he should be. Like the team itself, this was a significant step in the right direction. Now to turn in more of the same when Premier League duty returns this weekend against Brighton.
Salah saga set for its next twist?
Inevitably, the pre-match build-up was dominated by Mohamed Salah after his genuinely extraordinary riposte to being dropped at Leeds United.
Arne Slot, Alisson Becker and Andy Robertson and captain Virgil van Dijk were four who were grilled over the legendary Egyptian before and after the game and while the 33-year-old was conspicuous only by his absence in Milan, it was notable how so many opted to try and calm that fire that has raged since Saturday evening.
At 33, Salah is clearly struggling to accept his days as a guaranteed starter are edging behind him now but a fully motivated and fit forward with his enduring class remains a hugely valuable asset for the club.
But now, after this vital victory – which could well be a shot in the arm for the entire season – is there a world where a more contrite Salah exchanges some private words of apology to his boss and his colleagues? That could go a long way towards drawing a line under a tawdry saga that is so out of sync with with a club who pride themselves on keeping its dirty lined hidden in the airing cupboard.
“He’s going to be watching at home wishing he was here,” was his former colleague Daniel Sturridge’s assessment, who called for a truce to be found in his role as Amazon pundit. “It’s hard to reflect on it at the moment, but he is a player, like me, we’ve all been in our ups and downs and Mo wants to help the team to get back to where it’s been – at the top. And he wants to be part of it.”
Van Dijk refused to be drawn, post-match, on whether Salah should say sorry for his outburst but maybe such conciliatory tones behind the scenes can begin to put a bizarre few days in the rear-view mirror? That might yet be wishful thinking but this result might at least change the narrative.
