Walk On: The Athletic FC's Liverpool show From euphoria to agony: Liverpool’s 97th-minute gut punch
Jan 5, 2026
Join James Pearce, an experienced Liverpool correspondent for The Athletic, and Andy Jones, a keen football analyst, as they dissect Liverpool's painful late equalizer against Fulham. They explore if this was the season's biggest blow and analyze the team's passive play and tactical errors. Topics include the impact of missing players like Ekitiké and whether Liverpool’s identity has shifted after recent signings. Plus, they share insights on potential recruitment moves and preview a challenging match against top contender Arsenal.
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Team Identity Has Become Passive
- Liverpool's performances feel passive and narrow compared with last season's aggressive control.
- James Pearce says the team are harder to watch despite being harder to beat this season.
Slow Reactions Cost Late Goals
- The 97th-minute goal exposed Liverpool's slow reactions to sudden danger from set plays.
- Andy Jones and Tony Evans argue elite teams must rush such shooters and avoid gifting time and space.
Close Down Set-Piece Shooters Quickly
- Rush dangerous set-piece takers and close down shooters to prevent perfect strikes.
- Tony Evans and Andy Jones advise forcing opponents into hurried decisions rather than letting them size up shots.