Liverpool rescued a 99th-minute draw away at Newcastle United as they prevented beginning the Andoni Iraola period with defeat at St James’ Park. However there have been nonetheless large areas of concern for the Reds, who had been twice undone by counter-attacks and regarded set to pay the worth on the opening weekend of the brand new Premier League season till a last-gasp penalty. Anthony Elanga put the Magpies in entrance after solely 5 minutes on Tyneside. Cody Gakpo scored a long-range equaliser however Joe Willock restored the lead for the hosts a mere 120 seconds later.
But substitute Victor Munoz gained a penalty out of a slipshod Lewis Corridor problem deep into stoppage time and Dominik Szoboszlai lashed in a spectacular spot-kick to rescue a degree. Nonetheless, there have been numerous issues to be nervous about for the Merseyside outfit. And Specific Sport appears at 4 signings the Reds have to make earlier than the September 1 switch deadline…
Jeremie Frimpong has been at Liverpool for 12 months and his solely highlights have are available assault. He’s pacey, which will be an asset in some situations, however not adequate on the defensive aspect of the sport and his deliveries right here had been dire.
As a back-up proper winger or a right-back choice in video games at house to groups who will park the bus, Frimpong is ok. In away video games, he is not, as this match proved. Liverpool want an improve, particularly with Conor Bradley unlikely to play once more for a number of months and Joe Gomez additionally frequently unavailable.
The hope was that Iraola’s appointment might unlock one of the best of Milos Kerkez. If Liverpool can count on a season stuffed with performances like this then left-back is an space of huge, huge concern.
Kostas Tsimikas is the principle back-up to Kerkez however the Greek won’t ever displace his team-mate as a starter. He has by no means been on the degree to start out persistently for Liverpool. Promoting Tsimikas and signing a extra skilled, calm-headed left-back who can push Kerkez could be an enormous assist to Iraola. You could possibly argue they should not have let Andy Robertson go away.
A defensive-minded midfielder
A two-man midfield pivot of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai is asking for bother. Neither is inclined to defend. That was proven once they had been the 2 furthest ahead Liverpool gamers on the pitch as Newcastle launched their counter to make it 1-0 so early on. Szoboszlai is a keen presser however lacks the mandatory self-discipline to be at his finest in a pivot.
Gravenberch’s positioning off the ball and passing are additionally beneath par. Liverpool will concede many counter-attack targets until they recruit a midfielder able to overlaying floor and profitable the ball again persistently. They do not have both of their squad. Brentford’s Ibrahim Sangare appears like he would have been good however Monaco’s Lamine Camara is an alternate choice.
He’s a younger participant of giant expertise however Rio Ngumoha isn’t a right-sided winger. It is so simple as that. {The teenager} failed to finish a dribble and had only one contact within the opposition field. His one shot was blocked.
Ngumoha’s finest asset is his capability to chop in and go instantly at his man on his stronger proper foot, which is he performs from the left. On the other aspect, Liverpool want an attacker who can inside and be a risk on his left foot. Yankuba Minteh is left-footed and gettable earlier than the deadline however will not be match to play till no less than October.
