How F***ing good was that?
All the talk after the game has been about how poor Arsenal were but we made them look poor because we capitalised on their mistakes and blew them away. Coming away from the game, there was a feeling of "only" four because we could of easily had seven or eight. That's how dominant we were for a full 90 minutes.
No club in the world will restrict Arsenal as much as we did yesterday. Played them off the park and at their own game. It wasn't a game where we just sat back, soaked up pressure and hit them on the counter. We took the game right to them from the off and it paid off more than a bit. Right up there as one of the best performances from a Liverpool team.
After the Palace game I said;
Progression to the proper stages of the European Cup in midweek followed by beating one of our, so called, rivals for the title on Sunday and we'll be ending the opening month of the season in a rather good position.
and that's what has happened. Ending the opening month in a rather good position.
Karius - all the talk before the game was why would Klopp rest Mignolet, why bring Karius into this game, blah blah blah. It was all about our German keeper. Well he couldn't of had an easier game could he? No saves to make. No real threat from any cross and sat behind a defence who dealt with the Arsenal attacks quite easily. And yet, three times with the ball at his feet he was too slow to get rid of it and almost got caught out. He didn't convince me that he's ready to be our number one again.
Gomez - after the Palace game I said there was something about this lad that a lot of us like and he proved it again yesterday. Started a bit sluggish and got done a couple of times because of it but he grew into the game and looked a F***ing beast. And while I'd rather Trent playing at right back, Joey Gomez is not doing himself any harm whatsoever in his performances.
Matip - without doubt his best performance of the season. He did exactly what a centre half should do throughout the game. He was commanding in the air, including heading the ball from danger in the lead up to our third. He was composed. He was strong. Everything a centre half should be. The free kick back to Karius aside that is.
Lovren - like his central defensive partner, he did what a centre half should. None of the dilly dallying that we've become accustomed to. Not looking like a bag of nerves. Just a solid, dependable performance. The sort he now needs to string together. Also left one on Welbeck. If the ball gets past him, then the player doesn't. That's what I was brought up on so well done to Dejan on that front.
Moreno - he was what he is. Flashes of a really good full back, flashes of a player who wouldn't get a run out on Sevvy Park. But his performances this year have been a step up than the previous couple of seasons so he is improving. Maybe the exclusion from the side last year in favour of Milner and the signing of Robertson this summer has given him the kick up the arse he needed.
Henderson - he's got better with each game this season, his fitness is returning and his leadership is becoming more apparent. However, with the ball yesterday he was F***ing useless. Especially in the first half. Just giving the ball away on numerous ocassions. And his finishing was worse than that. Probably should of had a brace to his name but missed two very easy chances.
Wijnaldum - I don't know whether the birth of his son inspired him or what but that was a fantastic performance from the Dutchman yesterday. He covered every blade of grass, he kept the ball moving nicely, he got stuck in, he was just outstanding. And had it not been for a wonderful performance from the three ahead of him and especially the German next to him, Gini would be getting all the rave reviews. He played as well as anybody out there.
Can - I have been very critical of Emre Can on this forum. From his first pre-season to us where I thought he looked immense, he rapidly went down hill in my estimation. So much so that I wanted him flogged at the earliest opportunity. This season though, he has been the best of our midfielders. He is dominanting games in the way he was in that first pre-season with the club. And it looks like he's been told he's the one of the three who has to break ahead of the other two, often being more advanced than Henderson or Wijnaldum. I hope these performances aren't just so he can demand a few extra quid on his contract and once he signs, his form drops off again. I hope this is the level of performance we're going to get from him for years to come.
Salah - he's still frustrating me in his lack of clinical finishing. I know that sounds daft for a lad who already has three goals to his name in just five games but he should have six or seven to his name really. Missed a few real sitters. But other than his finishing, I can't find a fault in him. His movement and pace are a constant threat. I've said it before, his pace gives us the option of going over the top rather than passing it to death sideways and getting nowhere. His performances have also ensured that teams can't double up on Mane or Firmino, which gives them more space to destroy sides.
Mane - what can I say about this lad that hasn't already been said? There was a thread on here not so long ago about our worst ever Premiership number and if memory serves me right number 19 won. Given the likes of Mark Kennedy, Stewart Downing, Pegguy Arphexhad and Torben Piechnik have worn it. But Sadio Mane is re-writing that thread because his outstanding performances are overshadowing all sh*t performances by those former 19s. And if our current 19 carries on in this form, League Title number 19 can't be far away.
Firmino - another who I've been critical of for a long time but not yesterday. He lead the line the way a forward should. He was involved. A good headed goal, good link up play and a pain in the arse for the Arsenal defenders throughout, even when he shifted out wide when Sturridge came on. Even when he gave the ball away, he was right back in the face of the opposition to regain in.
Sturridge - showed why he still has a role to play for us. He might not be happy being an impact player but that's what he should be in all honesty because it's the best way to get best out of him at the moment. And what a poachers finish his header was. We all love the spectactular goals he's scored in the past but seeing your centre forward four or five yards out knocking the ball home is what I love seeing.
Milner - came on and gave us that little bit more stability in the middle to sure it up. Nothing fancy, nothing of note. Just what the doctor ordered really.
Grujic - same as Milner really.
Overall, F***ing made up. We tore Arsenal apart and made them look every bit as sh*t as they were. Ending the month unbeaten, playing the best football in the League, consecutive clean sheets and now a fortnight before "we go again" against City. Daylight already between us and Arsenal. After a iffy start against Watford, we've come on leaps and bounds and I think we can go into the international break feeling very happy with ourselves.
Excellent performance Reds.
Well done!!!!