A Splash of Reality: Liverpool's Ongoing Rebuild and Richarlison's Audition Woes in the Premier League

Liverpool's rebuild clearly not complete

The primary focus of this transfer window for Liverpool was to rejuvenate their midfield department. The swift acquisitions of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister were clear indications of the club's determination and ambition. However, the subsequent events have resulted in Jurgen Klopp being confronted with an incomplete rebuilding process.

The draw against Chelsea on Sunday exposed the vulnerability of Liverpool's defense with their current options. Although Mac Allister performed well as a No 6, he lacks the necessary defensive skills to be a permanent solution. Klopp urgently needs to bring in a specialist to restore balance to the midfield, especially after the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

The recent £111m bid for Moises Caicedo, a British record, demonstrates that there are sufficient funds available for a significant signing. However, the uncertainty arises regarding who that signing will actually be if Caicedo and Romeo Lavia end up joining Chelsea. Reports indicate that Chelsea is willing to offer more for the duo, putting Liverpool in a precarious situation.

If that nightmare scenario becomes a reality, Liverpool will have less than three weeks to find a credible alternative before the window closes. This summer's unusually slow transfer dealings could end up costing the team unless they come up with something extraordinary. Zinny Boswell at Stamford Bridge

The James and Chilwell show

In the modern footballing world, full-backs have the potential to become creative powerhouses in a team, serving as crucial outlets. This argument has been exemplified by Liverpool in recent years through the performances of Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Chelsea, meanwhile, are also embracing this narrative with the dynamic duo of Chilwell and James. However, injuries have hindered their ability to collaborate effectively over the past 18 months.

Pochettino effectively utilized them to create significant problems for Liverpool on both flanks. With the help of Raheem Sterling's intelligent and skillful play, James was in top form, generating two chances from his nine crosses. Chelsea fans will be relieved to learn that Pochettino's decision to substitute him in the 77th minute was due to tiredness rather than an injury.

On the other hand, Chilwell was consistently energetic and had the misfortune of having a goal disallowed by VAR after an impressive run through the Liverpool defense. If he maintains this level of performance, he is likely to contribute significantly to goals this season - he has already provided an assist for the Axel Disasi goal. This was observed by Lewis Jones at Stamford Bridge.

Richarlison fails his first audition to be Kane's successor

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Richarlison looks dejected after failing to make his mark in the 2-2 with Brentford

Concerns regarding Richarlison's ability to effectively replace Harry Kane on a permanent basis at Tottenham have been accentuated after Spurs' 2-2 draw with Brentford. The 26-year-old Brazilian was given the responsibility of playing as the number nine by new manager Ange Postecoglou in west London. Unfortunately, he was unable to justify the belief placed in him and delivered a lackluster performance.

Richarlison failed to make a significant contribution to the match, and when given a prime chance, he disappointingly aimed his shot directly at Brentford's goalkeeper Mark Flekken. This proved to be his solitary shot on target, and he also had the fewest number of touches (34) among all the starting players, excluding the injured Cristian Romero (10), who was substituted after just 14 minutes.

Richarlison still has time to prove himself as the answer to the Kane dilemma. Postecoglou, in his post-match press conference, expressed his support for the £60m forward and believed that his team "didn't utilize him enough." However, considering the lack of options in the Spurs attack and Richarlison's performance, it is crucial for the club to prioritize signing a forward before the summer transfer window closes. Declan Olley, reporting from the Gtech Community Stadium.

Brentford can cope without talismanic Toney

Two men were conspicuous by their absence as Brentford lifted the lid on their third season as a Premier League power.

The Bees started the game without Ivan Toney, who will be unavailable until January. Meanwhile, Harry Kane, who now plays for Bayern Munich, had his iconic No 10 shirt taken by James Maddison, the new addition to the Spurs squad.

In an exhilarating first half that produced four goals, it became clear that the absence of these two players did not diminish the attacking prowess of both teams. They both demonstrated that they are not reliant on any individual player when it comes to creating and scoring goals.

Brentford's strategy was cleverly executed. Thomas Frank made a bold decision to include both Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa in the starting lineup due to their consistent success at home, and for a significant portion of the match, this game-plan proved effective.

Mbeumo confidently converted a penalty, while Wissa skillfully finished Rico Henry's cross in the middle of the first half, exposing Tottenham's revamped defense's inability to handle the duo's determination to make an impact.

Manager Frank emphasized to reporters after the match that Brentford has a tendency to score goals even when Ivan (Toney) is not on the field, reiterating the team's belief in the collective contribution of every player.

In the extended first half, Mbeumo missed a terrific opportunity in the dying seconds, where the majority, if not all, of the goal-scoring opportunities occurred. However, the team's opening goal demonstrated that they can still succeed even without their influential leader, Toney.