Sorry for the delay everyone! Here's the RAAAAAAAAAAAATTTIIIIIINNNNNGS!
That was boss. Bournemouth are perfect home opponents when you need a nice, easy win, and sure enough they obliged. It was actually a pretty mediocre and nervy start to the game, but the first goal eased tensions and all was good after that. In fact, the only downside was that we didn't score three or four more.
Alisson (7) At last! A clean sheet! And he also saved a shot that was on target, which has been a rarity in the last few weeks. Turned a belting effort from Mousset around the post later too.
Robertson (8) Much better than in recent weeks, and piling into tackles early on got the crowd baying for more. He was all over them in defence and attack, and created several great opportunities, including the pass for the second goal. An assist machine! I've no idea why they gave him the run of the left hand side, but he made them pay.
Matip (7) Better from 50p head. Made one or two just beautiful passes that cut them in half, and he was solid in defence and showed more aggression than usual in his battle with King
Virgil (7) Looks like he's shrugged off the dose of the Dubai Shits that wrecked parts of the squad, this was far more like the imperious majesty of his normal game as he improved minute by minute. Won everything in the air, and even legged it all the way up the pitch in one late counter-attack.
Milner (7) Much, much sharper, he was another who shrugged off the bug and looked like his usual self. Brimming with energy, set up another goal with a lovely cross and also kept Fraser quiet. A blur of industry and full-blooded commitment.
Fabinho (8) A really impressive display of destructive, holding midfield play - actual tackles and stuff! - he was positioned smartly and cut off options and angles, quelling any attacking opportunities early. But also started to mix up his passing, with sharp short passes combined with some lovely long balls to the flanks, where Salah and Mane were lurking.
Wijnaldum (9) What a game. He's another who has been struck with illness following the ill-fated Dubai trip, but he got off his sick bed to inspire this win, with a performance of calm, controlled midfield mastery. He even managed to actually score a rare goal with a beautiful chipped finish. Outstanding.
Keita (7) Ah, finally. After a dismal start to his Liverpool career, this was much more like it. Seemed more confident with Fabinho and Wijnaldum freeing him up to be more attacking and creative, but paradoxically this also seemed to encourage him to be more involved defensively. He did lots of the unseen dirty work, picking up possession and making interceptions. Sumptuous pass to Firmino for the third goal. This is the level he needs to stay at.
Mane (8) Yet another crucial goal from Mr Reliable, this one settled nerves and then Mane carried on where he left off, a menacing whirlwind of attacking intent. Should have scored another with a sitter of a header in the second half.
Salah (8) Looked like the same old story early in the first half - crowded out, starved of space and time - but then turned it on, leaving Bournemouth gasping with his pace, skill and brutally efficient attacking play. Scored one - his 17th league goal of another brilliant season - hit the bar, and forced a great save with another swerving shot. Oh yeah.
Firmino (7) He's had a rather up and down season, but his diabolical, embarrassing display at West Ham was forgotten, as Firmino really turned on the style in the second half, with some frankly outrageous passing, flicks and back-heels causing multiple aneurysms in their backline. Weak effort later on was disappointing, but his game isn't about goalscoring.
That was boss. Bournemouth are perfect home opponents when you need a nice, easy win, and sure enough they obliged. It was actually a pretty mediocre and nervy start to the game, but the first goal eased tensions and all was good after that. In fact, the only downside was that we didn't score three or four more.
Alisson (7) At last! A clean sheet! And he also saved a shot that was on target, which has been a rarity in the last few weeks. Turned a belting effort from Mousset around the post later too.
Robertson (8) Much better than in recent weeks, and piling into tackles early on got the crowd baying for more. He was all over them in defence and attack, and created several great opportunities, including the pass for the second goal. An assist machine! I've no idea why they gave him the run of the left hand side, but he made them pay.
Matip (7) Better from 50p head. Made one or two just beautiful passes that cut them in half, and he was solid in defence and showed more aggression than usual in his battle with King
Virgil (7) Looks like he's shrugged off the dose of the Dubai Shits that wrecked parts of the squad, this was far more like the imperious majesty of his normal game as he improved minute by minute. Won everything in the air, and even legged it all the way up the pitch in one late counter-attack.
Milner (7) Much, much sharper, he was another who shrugged off the bug and looked like his usual self. Brimming with energy, set up another goal with a lovely cross and also kept Fraser quiet. A blur of industry and full-blooded commitment.
Fabinho (8) A really impressive display of destructive, holding midfield play - actual tackles and stuff! - he was positioned smartly and cut off options and angles, quelling any attacking opportunities early. But also started to mix up his passing, with sharp short passes combined with some lovely long balls to the flanks, where Salah and Mane were lurking.
Wijnaldum (9) What a game. He's another who has been struck with illness following the ill-fated Dubai trip, but he got off his sick bed to inspire this win, with a performance of calm, controlled midfield mastery. He even managed to actually score a rare goal with a beautiful chipped finish. Outstanding.
Keita (7) Ah, finally. After a dismal start to his Liverpool career, this was much more like it. Seemed more confident with Fabinho and Wijnaldum freeing him up to be more attacking and creative, but paradoxically this also seemed to encourage him to be more involved defensively. He did lots of the unseen dirty work, picking up possession and making interceptions. Sumptuous pass to Firmino for the third goal. This is the level he needs to stay at.
Mane (8) Yet another crucial goal from Mr Reliable, this one settled nerves and then Mane carried on where he left off, a menacing whirlwind of attacking intent. Should have scored another with a sitter of a header in the second half.
Salah (8) Looked like the same old story early in the first half - crowded out, starved of space and time - but then turned it on, leaving Bournemouth gasping with his pace, skill and brutally efficient attacking play. Scored one - his 17th league goal of another brilliant season - hit the bar, and forced a great save with another swerving shot. Oh yeah.
Firmino (7) He's had a rather up and down season, but his diabolical, embarrassing display at West Ham was forgotten, as Firmino really turned on the style in the second half, with some frankly outrageous passing, flicks and back-heels causing multiple aneurysms in their backline. Weak effort later on was disappointing, but his game isn't about goalscoring.
