Was a good goal but he fluffed a few other chances, overall a solid performance though.
I know it's been said, but I disagree.
I only saw two other chances - and as far as I have heard, these are the same two cited by many.
1) He had poor control over the ball that came in and as such had to react and run at the loose ball with the keeper coming to collect. His control was indeed poor - but this happens from time to time to players all over the pitch. That aside, he reacted quickly and crucially got to the ball before the keeper. Salah then popped it into the net. As far as I'm concerned, that goal should have stood. His follow through got the keeper, but the ball is there to be won, it's a goal scoring opportunity, and we've seen them allowed time and time again.
2) A header. Unlike the first where he threw himself in there at the crucial moment with a great header, this one was a struggle. The ball was actually behind him so he had to adjust his movement, and was unable to get enough on the ball to direct it with power. That was due to there not being enough on the cross. It was not a clear goal scoring opportunity as some have claimed.
That aside, I thought his performance was impressive. Some suggested I was looking for excuses, but I said it before the game that Sturridge will find it more difficult to operate with Mane and Salah given his lack of game time with these two. I was however spot on.
It is a fact that Sturridge plays a very different game to Firmino. Mane and Salah are not used to playing with Sturridge. They are used to the Firmino-player. Tonight you could see that the movement from Sturridge was not getting picked up by the other two, and he was struggling to get into the game at the start. There was also a late opportunity where he attempted to bend it from the edge of the box and it went well wide. Salah and Mane looked mad at him. Don't they know that is his game? He usually tries several of those shots before he gets it right.
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