Liverpool at Anfield check list;
At least three goals - done.
Three points - done.
Mo Salah scores - done.
As comfortable as a Premier League game can be.
Forest set their stall out from the second the game kicked off. Instead of coming on to the front foot and our centre half knocking a diagonal ball out the left wing, they instantly backed off and allow Konate to bring the ball forward ten or twenty yards. Even after we went one up they had no desire to come out. Going into the second half they were two down and still didn't offer much of an attacking threat.
And it's safe to say that we weren't at our very best today but there were times where we were breathtakingly good. Nunez's goal for instance was prime-time Klopp.
I know the midfield will get so much credit and rightly so today, I think the pace of Nunez is one of many reasons why we're so good now. Like we used to have with Mane, we have a player with genuine speed to put the shits up the opposition. No defender really likes playing against anybody that quick. Now he's settled to the League and the club, Darwin is offering us that same threat.
Three very well taken goals and another clean sheet. Even the wrist slitters can't complain with that surely. (if they're still on the forum that is)
Alisson - really difficult to analyse his match because all he had to do was wear his long-johns to stop him getting a cold.
Alexander-Arnold - gave a sloppy pass away early in the middle of the park trying to play it round the corner for Mac Allister and I thought oh here we go again, it's one of them games. But afterwards he was sound. He's not getting the plaudits this year because he's not getting as many assists and his move into midfield is now expected so it doesn't get highlighted but I think he's having a really solid season.
Konate - didn't have too much to do given how poor they were as an attacking threat but I thought he dealt with everything in his usual manner. He seems to be growing in confidence with every game - clean sheets and a settled side will do that.
Van Dijk - it seems unfair to give a centre half man of the match in a game where we had such little defending to but for me that was Van Dijk playing as he did before the injury. There was one run through where he put in a kick and reached the ball a week before the Forest player, there was another where he went and met the ball like he should. I just thought he was outstanding today. And there's been signs he's getting back to his best this year, today was one of them. He's been a bit sluggish at times and we've all said it but today he was impeccable.
Tsimikas - his best performance this season. Admittedly that isn't difficult given how he's performed previously but today he was as solid as the rest of the back line. Didn't create much on the offensive but I've always said when you're complaining about the input a defender has on the attacking side of the game you know they've done well at the job they're there to do in the first place - which is defend.
Szoboszlai - I know most will give him man of the match regardless these days because he's become the new golden boy of the forum but today's votes are thoroughly deserved. He was quality and ran the midfield. But as I've also said many times, these are the sort of games that he should be excelling in. A team who allows us to play as we wish should bring out the best of Dom and Mac and today it did.
Mac Allister - his best performance in a Liverpool shirt. I said it after the Everton game that I don't think he's the long-term solution there but he's showing signs that he can do a job there. But today he played like he could be the long-term solution. His winning the ball that led to the goal was exactly what a central midfielder should be doing. Like Dom, he was allowed to play and show his skills but you've still gotta do it. He and Dom both did today.
Gravenberch - a quiet start to the game but he grew into it and is quickly becoming a firm favourite of the fans - especially me. He was probably a bit overshadowed by the other two beside him but he was good again today. This is probably gonna be our first choice midfield three now so it's up the others to dislodge them.
Salah - a few glimpses of how good he is and his understanding with Nunez is getting better by the game. And of course he scores because when he doesn't score at Anfield? 196 goals now for the club. Still blows me mind people wanted us to sell him in the summer.
Nunez - you can't help but love the lad. His enthusiasm and desire is infectious. He plays with a smile on his mush and that rubs off the crowd and his team-mates. Nice to see him on the scoresheet again as well as being involved in pretty much every attack we had.
Jota - another quiet game from Diogo but when he's in the box he's a handful and scores a goal. Nearly 50 goals for the club now, which is no mean feat. Nice touch from him after his goal to show his support for Diaz. If he keeps scoring goals, he stays in the team.
Elliott - wasn't his best outting but he's allowed one bad game coming from the bench given how much he's impressed recently in that role.
Gakpo - you can tell he isn't fully fit just yet but he's still showing signs of that quality. I don't think he gets into the team right now, fully fit or not, but that's because those ahead of him are continuing to score goals. It's up to Cody to force his way ahead of either Darwin or Diogo.
Endo - a ten minute cameo to see the game through. It seems like some are desperate to fail as well, which I really don't get - especially when he still has a 100% record at Anfield.
Gomez - came on, game ended. Can't say much else.
Overall it's another good day for us as a club and as fans. Keeping tabs with those at the top of the table, showing quality on the attacking front and starting to sort the defensive side of the game out.
This fat b***ard is happy as Larry tonight.
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