Liverpool once again conceded the first goal during Saturday’s game against West Ham United.
The Reds have made a nasty habit of giving up the opening goal over the past couple of seasons. It’s become oh so predictable.
So, when Jarrod Bowen leapt to put West Ham in front just before half-time at the London Stadium, no one should have been surprised.
That it came from a set-piece after a brilliant Alisson Becker save also was not a shock. How often do we see the Liverpool goalkeeper keep his team in it only to be let down just seconds later.
In truth, it was an excellent header from Bowen, not for the first time against the Reds. But that he was able to get to the ball with four white shirts around him was incredibly disappointing. And speaking to TNT Sports at half-time, Peter Crouch wanted to highlight Cody Gakpo’s involvement in particular.
Crouch highlights Cody Gakpo fault
In fairness, Crouch could have picked out more than one player to have a go at for this one.
The former Liverpool striker did point out that Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘wasn’t even looking’ before mentioning Gakpo.
However, Alexander-Arnold was miles away from the action, preoccupied with following the run of a West Ham player. No blame attached to him.
But Gakpo was right there in the action. He simply couldn’t get anywhere close to Bowen, much to the chagrin of Crouch.
“He’s turning his back, he’s turned his back on the ball,” said the pundit of Liverpool’s No.18. “It’s so disappointing from a Liverpool perspective. it’s so sloppy.”
Thankfully, the Reds were able to improve and turn things around in the second-half.
Was Gakpo really at fault
As the closest man to Bowen when he puts it into the net, we think Gakpo is fair game for Crouch here. He simply has to do more.
Nevertheless, the 24-year-old was not alone in his failure to deal with the West Ham man.
Jarell Quansah was the nearest defender to Bowen and he probably should have done more, too. The 21-year-old has to be commanding that area of the penalty box.
But for all that you can point fingers at individuals, Liverpool collectively must switch on quicker. The goal came from a short corner that the Reds just did not react to.
We don’t want to see any more of these in the final three games.