Riyad Mahrez missed last minute penalty spared Liverpool some blushes as the Anfield outfit eeked out a scoreless draw with Manchester City on Sunday. Going in to the second international break this season, the Reds remain joint top of the table along with Pep Guardiola’s side and a resurgent Chelsea.
Having played both of them as well as and perennial challengers Tottenham Hotspur, the Merseysiders remain unbeaten in the league and are in a fantastic position to push on with matches against Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City sandwiching a Champions League showdown with Red Star Belgrade. That’s a tempting run that’ll have punters checking this givemebet review and searching out promo codes to help them maximize their returns.
After some major investment this summer, Liverpool now have the kind of squad that can put in a good showing on all fronts, but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will have to manage both his squad and the intensity of their game if they want to pull in some silverware at the end of the season.
“It was really intense. We already knew it would happen. We were trying to prepare as well as possible for this period because you have to be fresh, full of confidence and stay positive,” said Georginio Wijnaldum after the draw with City. “We already knew what we had to do if we want to compete to win something. Last season, City only lost two games and played a few draws,” mused the Dutch midfielder, happy to be in the mix at the top of the table. “It’s a good way to start the season. But we have to make sure we manage it until the end of the season to keep it like this. At the end of the season, you can make sure you can win something, not at the beginning of the season.”
That, of course, is a major concern considering the amount of games these guys play. Liverpool have just shy of 20 senior players on international duty with the likes of club captain Jordan Henderson representing England, Dejan Lovren going off with Croatia, new Scotland captain Andy Robertson lining up for the Tartan army and Virgil van Dijk joining Wijnaldum in the Netherlands squad.
African trio Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane will all represent their respective countries in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying while our Brazilian contingent of Fabinho, Alisson and Roberto Firmino have a friendly with Saudi Arabia and a not so friendly against bitter rivals Argentina.
Fabinho, who has found his game time limited since making the move from AS Monaco over the summer, has made the Brazil squad despite being on the fringes of the squad on Merseyside — a real testament to his quality and what he can bring to a Seleção squad brimming with talent.
“My process to adapt to English football has been very good. Since pre-season I believe I have understood the way Jürgen Klopp plays and the way the team plays,” explained the Reds midfielder. “It’s a new experience for me because Klopp has a different style of work from the way I’m used to,” continued Fabinho. “I have learned a few things from him but it is just the start. He is a coach who demands a lot from his players, not only in matches but also on a daily basis in training.”
