A hard-fought and important win against spirited opposition and playing 3rd game in a week. Lots of food for thought: Mane's turn-around in form (if it sustains) will be key, our right side with Salah and Hendo (and Milner as a make-shift RB) created some really excellent interplay, Tsimikas is growing into his role, Konate's debut, Jota's (hopefully temporary) patch of bad form, Salah at the peak of his game...
As @King Binny pointed out, it's been a long time since our midfielders scored in 3 games in a row – Fabinho vs Leeds, Hendo against Milan and Keita today. Thiago also had a goal chalked off recently and you could also "credit" the 1st goal against Milan to Trent, who has been playing more like a winger than full-back this season. I'm sensing a bit of a shift with this team; midfielders and even defenders (like Matip) feel more license to be creative and contribute in attack, whether it's because now there is less pressure after the title win has been achieved or maybe players are just responding to playing in front of fans again. Whatever it is, it's good to see – our front 3 still supplies the bulk of the goals (10 out of 15 so far), but we're generally playing with more freedom and flexibility. Nowhere this is more evident than in the way Salah is trusting his teammates more and not taking it all upon himself to create something out of nothing. Good stuff!
Ratings (reposted from the match thread):
As @King Binny pointed out, it's been a long time since our midfielders scored in 3 games in a row – Fabinho vs Leeds, Hendo against Milan and Keita today. Thiago also had a goal chalked off recently and you could also "credit" the 1st goal against Milan to Trent, who has been playing more like a winger than full-back this season. I'm sensing a bit of a shift with this team; midfielders and even defenders (like Matip) feel more license to be creative and contribute in attack, whether it's because now there is less pressure after the title win has been achieved or maybe players are just responding to playing in front of fans again. Whatever it is, it's good to see – our front 3 still supplies the bulk of the goals (10 out of 15 so far), but we're generally playing with more freedom and flexibility. Nowhere this is more evident than in the way Salah is trusting his teammates more and not taking it all upon himself to create something out of nothing. Good stuff!
Ratings (reposted from the match thread):
Alisson 7 – a couple of nervy moments, but also big saves and ballsy takes under pressure. There is no way we would have kept a clean sheet in this kind of game with some of the previous GKs at the club.
Milner 7 – that's why he's invaluable. Late replacement for Trent, 95 minutes of Wilfried Zaha running at your 36-year-old legs – no problem. Added toughness and a necessary amount of shithousery, put in a few good crosses, extremely lucky to not get booked.
Konate 6 – looked nervous and played within himself, as to be expected from someone thrown into a tough fixture on their debut. Still just about made the right decisions in key moments and grew into the game somewhat. It's a process.
Van Dijk 6.5 – a couple of surprisingly shaky moments early on, but was able to regain control.
Tsimikas 6.5 – very good attack-wise; almost replacing Trent as our chief creator from the wing. Plenty of small and not-so-small mistakes in defense, in another game that can cost us (pun not intended).
Fabinho 6 – a quiet game for him after 2 MOTM performances in the week
Thiago 6.5 – let's hope the injury is not too bad; his ability to weave the passing patterns in midfield and change tempo at will is increasingly important to our game. Needs to cut out the silly fouls.
Hendo 7.5 – superb overall performance from the captain, so sharp in all of his decisions and combined with Salah and Milner superbly. Unlucky not to get at least an assist.
Mane 7.5 – back to his best in overall play; looked quicker, sharper and even somehow younger than before. Took his goal well and set the record for most consecutive goals against the same opposition (9 in row vs Palace, I think).
Jota 5.5 – somewhat improved in the 2nd half, but 1st half was awful, starting from failing to clear the ball in our penalty area in the first minute to his atrocious miss near the end of the half. Must be totally out of gas because that's the worst I've seen him play.
Salah 8 MOTM – just a cut above the rest. Playing with clarity and confidence; outrageous touches to bring the ball down under pressure, great energy, helped out in defense, assist for Mane and a goal. We're watching a great footballer in action.
Subs:
Keita 6.5 – what a hit, son (lad), what a hit.
Jones 6 – got lost on the LW, but more involved when moved back to the CM and it's the sequence of play he generated that led to the corner that led to Naby’s wondergoal.
Origi 6 – had the Kop singing his name after a useful defensive clearance in added time.
Klopp 7 – navigated a tricky game with some very uneven performances throughout the team due to tiredness and rotation. Took a calculated risk with the rotation in the back line and even though it looked like it could have backfired, it paid off in the end.
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