How can you leave the ground after winning 3-0 but still feel disappointed?
I didn't like the team that was named. In particular, I couldn't believe Mignolet had kept his shirt and I wanted Gomez in the middle because I don't rate Klavan one bit.
The midfield three don't have a creative bone between them and firmino is usually ineffective on the flank and sturridge is always rusty because he never gets a long run in the side.
The first half brought no surprises as we struggled to break down a stubborn Huddersfield side who had no intention of playing football or going for the three points at all.
It was the same old sh*te. Boring sideways football for 45 minutes with Henderson being the biggest culprit. Not one player had the balls to dribble past somebody. Very few tried a cross and apart from Milner, I don't remember us having a shot either. It was poor.
Second half starts and we look a lot better. Our passing is more crisp and we've raised the tempo. We got a bit lucky with the first goal but it completely opened the game up then.
Shortly before the second goal, Henderson plays a forward pass about 40 yards straight to firmino who's in behind their back line. He squares it to sturridge who has a tap in but their defender came from nowhere and made a last ditch tackle. Point of this is why not pass forward more hendo??? He almost created a goal by looking up and going forward for once! In fact, I'm pretty sure it was that corner that led to our second goal. We were cruising now.
That pass gave Henderson a bit of confidence because shortly afterwards he went hunting the ball down when a Huddersfield player was in possession. The Huddersfield player got himself in all kinds of trouble and the crowd reacted and roared hendo on. Hendo won the ball and we were through on goal but the ref pulled it back and said it was foul - wasnt convinced myself. But again, why haven't you been doing more of this? This is what we want and this is what we need!
Couple of subs and the ox comes on and so does can. Bizarre tactics from Jürgen though because wijnaldum ended up LW!
Klopp showed me though because who was in the box and fired a bullet into the Huddersfield goal? Yes, wijnaldum. Great finish and game over.
I've got to say Huddersfield were dreadful today. I wasn't expecting them to put bodies behind the ball and play for a draw. I thought we were there for the taking with a few players missing and out back four being such a shambles but they were so, so negative. I don't remember them having a shot during the whole 90 mins - it was like a training session.
Mignolet - very lucky boy because with the spotlight firmly on him at the moment he wasn't tested once today.
Gomez - had no problems, wasn't tested. Did well on the ball.
Matip - had no problems, wasn't tested. Good on the ball and carried it out from the back well. Nearly scored from a corner and perhaps should have - need to see the replay.
Klavan - had no problems, wasn't tested. couple of clumsy mistakes, giving possession away, but in general ok.
Moreno - had no problems, wasn't tested. He hasn't put a foot wrong for a long time now and it was another steady performance today. Did wellxgoing forward. Due to the lack of contenders I gave him Motm.
Hendo - Really, really sh*te in the first half but he improved in the second.
Milner - I like Milner because he wears his heart on his sleeve. Few awesome deliveries into the box but in general he lacks mobility, speed and that top quality to play in this midfield.
Wijnaldum - very quiet in the first half. Similar to Henderson he improved in the second and scored a good goal.
Firmino - I'm surprised he's leading the motm poll because I thought he had a quiet game.
Salah - missed a pen but he was our best player in that first half. Not as threatening as usual though.
Sturridge - glad he got on the score sheet but feel sorry for the lad. He looks rusty whenever he plays to me and it's not surprising because he never has a decent run in the side.
Ox - did very very well when he came on. Somebody who was willing to run with the ball. I'd like to see him start next game in the midfield three.
Can - got involved in unnecessary sh*t towards the end of the game and could have and probably should have been booked. Did little else.
Solanke - came on towards the end and some great hold up play and lay offs. The big guy has a good touch. I also wouldn't mind seeing him get a start soon.
To summarise. A very dire first half. Second half we improved. Huddersfield weren't interested in playing or attacking and that surprised me.
Got the win, and it was deserved in the end, but next game we need to start it like we finished the second half today.
« Last Edit: Oct 28, 2017 06:54:14 pm by HamannsTheMan »
Logged