Oh, the beauty of football. Not our best performance by any stretch of the imagination but that is what is so good about this result. I'd say we've been running at about 65-70% all Season and we are on the brink of winning our first ever Premier League title and a sixth Champions League. What's not to love about this? The loss of our second best centre back and our most prominent attacking midfielder and yet we are still here. What Klopp has achieved thus far has been nothing short of miraculous, outside of our first eleven we don't even have the depth of our rivals but yet we are the only side challenging the might of the Arabs cash mountain.
2-0 wasn't the best result but based on our output it was a brilliant result. To play so below par and still win 2-0 is what makes it all the more beautiful. Henderson was outstanding, finally Klopp can release him due to Fabinho now being ready to do the job he was brought in to do. Hendo was in danger of becoming the next Lucas Leiva, an attacking midfielder being morphed into a defensive midfielder. The difference between Klopp and Rafa is that Klopp had no alternative option, Hendo was the only one capable of carrying out the duties. Fair play to Jordan, he is just like Milner, selfless, focused, industrious and willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. We have always known his qualities are there but Klopp knew he was the only player he had that was disciplined and energetic enough to fulfil the role. We now have Fabinho. No doubt Jordan will still play the defensive midfielder role from time to time but not as regular as he has been.
Keita is starting to get the luck his hard work is deserving of and hopefully these last 2 goals he has scored will give him that confidence boost he so dearly needs. A lot of people giving Henderson the MOTM vote but for me it had to be Firmino, the things he does with the ball are, as Carra would say, 'OBSCENE!.' His ball control and spatial awareness are ridiculous, the most important player in this team by far, the crankshaft.
On another night it could have been 2-2 but thankfully Marega had a mare of a game. We did look vulnerable down the right flank and in all honesty i expected them to target our right side of the defence. Luckily we came through unscathed and i fully expect us to see this out in the second leg.
A clean sheet, a 2 goal lead, a sub par performance, lots more to come.
LOVE IT!
P.S. That midfield trio is definitely the way forward from now on. They were tough, dynamic and creative. Jordan will be like a new signing if Klopp lets him carry on in this new role. Have to say as well last night, his pressing up top was absolutely bonkers, something we don't see from Wijnaldum or Milner when they play there, the intensity that is.
« Last Edit: Apr 10, 2019 11:52:44 am by hardcoresoldier »
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