For the second time in five days I'm asking how you can leave the ground after a 3-0 win and still feel disappointed?
That was hard work. They were disciplined and played a back five that didn't leave the edge of the box, and then a midfield four sitting a yard or two infront of them. We huffed, puffed and really struggled to break them down or create anything. I'm glad we got the win, I'm glad we got the points but I'm probably most glad to be back home! A very boring and frustrating 90 minutes that.
I never want to see a midfield three of can, Henderson and Milner again. Not a creative bone between them!
Karius - had nothing to do apart from make one save in the second half which was a long range effort but was hit well. It was a good save.
Taa - my motm. Always gave an option on that right flank, never shys away from the ball. Whipped some really good crosses in, especially the first half. He wasn't perfect by any means and he makes the odd mistake but it was a very good performance from the youngster.
Klavan - just like Saturday, the opposition posed no threat and he wasn't tested.
Matip - just like Saturday, the opposition posed no threat and he wasn't tested.
Moreno - wasn't tested defensively but he looks so much better going forward now. He whipped in a couple of nice crosses too. He looks to have matured now and his decision making is so much better.
Henderson - laughed to myself when he came on because thirty seconds later he ran infront of a Maribor shot and I've said all week on here I can't rememeber him ever throwing himself into a shot before, has he been reading my comments? His performance was nothing to sing home about but he wasn't exactly dreadful either. One or two like Gerrard passes that found his man, likewise one or two forward passes that went to the opposition. Just same old from him really.
Can - was the best out of the midfield three but that's not saying much really. He won the ball back a few times and scored a great goal though.
Milner - doesn't have quick enough feet to play in a Jürgen klopp midfield three. I really like Milner and respect him as a pro but in this set up and this formation he just isn't good enough. He isn't creative enough and with either Henderson or can in there then he isn't needed.
Ox - struggled to get in the game in the first half, came in to it a little more during the second but still fairly quiet. I want to see him in the middle - where he wants to play. We could do with some pace in there and having somebody who will run forward with the ball.
Firmino - another quiet game I thought. He has his moments, he always will do because he's a top player, but compared to his usual self he didn't get involved as much as usual.
Salah - opened the scoring with a nice touch. Was probably our best attacker on the night. He's been our best player so far this season by some way.
To summarise, we badly miss coutinho, mane and lallana. Against stubborn teams who park the bus our midfield struggles when it consists of Milner, Henderson, can. Only one of them is needed because they all do the same job pretty much. I want to see the ox in there against West Ham.
Good result, but flat performance, flat atmosphere, bit of a snooze fest and the score line flattered us in my opinion. We move on to Saturday.
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