Another victory that tops of a great weekend, Liverpool winning, fun staff night out yesterday, snooker starting, lovely Sunday roast and England winning a belting match in the cricket on Friday night. This is what weekends are about. Topped off of course by the Reds winning.
Hardly a vintage performance by any means but, other than a nervy last ten minutes, it was a solid, well deserved win. For the most part we controlled the game, kept Swansea at bay and looked dangerous going forward, at times. The added bonuses of getting Henderson and Sturridge on the pitch was a welcome sight. Both were greeted with a befitting reception.
Mignolet - looked to still be feeling the affects from the cock up in Europe. He's an anomaly is our Simple Simon, whereas the rest of the team seem to have got a lift from the arrival of Klopp, Mignolet seems to have gone backwards. Doesn't install confidence in the fans or his defence and you can evidently feel a tension every time he's near the ball.
Clyne - has fell right into a long line of great Liverpool right backs, in the sense that he's a solid dependable player who goes about his business in an unfashionable yet extremely effective way. Was once again his usual self in today's game. Nothing outstanding but everything done correctly, which in itself is outstanding.
Skrtel - has struggled in the past against big burly centre forwards (especially our own Christian Benteke) but today, he's been up for the scrap against that time of forward. And also against Sako of Palace to be fair. So that was a very welcomed sight that he wasn't to be intimidated or bullied by the forward like he has been previously. Maybe training day in day out with one in Benteke has helped him. Very good today was Marty.
Lovren - deserves all the credit in the world for his turnaround in form. Just like against City, he wasn't faultless, but the confidence is coming and there's finally glimpses of the player we saw at Southampton. Some Danny Agger like passes from left to right in the second half. Like Skrtel, wasn't bullied by Eder or Gomis. This is a chance for him to nail on a starting position and so far, he's taking it.
Moreno - in my opinion wasn't as good as his other defenders today but wasn't as bad as he has been previously either. For me he's still learning the art of full back, which is why his positional play is all at sea at times. But his game is improving and today, like most of our games, he's always offering himself as an outlet when we're attacking. We're a side who tend to rely on our full backs providing the width, Albert certainly does that.
Can - I've been heavily critical of this lad this year to the point of openly admitting he's become my boo boy. Today though, he was instrumental in our performance. Best game he's played in midfield for Liverpool.
Milner - well taken penalty, smashing it into the roof of the net. His all round game again lacked the quality that I'd expect from a central midfielder. He runs but little else from what I can see. His set piece delivery has been shocking. I wouldn't have any problem with him F***ing off out the team now Henderson is back.
Ibe - looked sharp at times, looked like the inexperienced kid he is at others. But, never does he shy away from the game. He's always happy to take the ball, always looking to be direct and won the penalty that won us the game. For me, he was our most dangerous attacking player today.
Firmino - was as poor as he has been since Klopp arrived today. Started brightly, as did the team on the whole, but as the game wore on he was less and less involved. In Coutinho's absence, we really need Bob to be the creative spark and it just didn't happen today.
Lallana - like Clyne, put in a typical performance from a former Southampton player. Unfortunately, whereas Clyne's typical performance is one of solidity and depenable, Lallana's is one of frustration. For somebody as talented as he is, his lack of goals and assists is abysmal. He doesn't even look as if he's going to threaten.
Benteke - didn't have his best game and for the second half in particular was really quiet. Was probably more affective in our box during the second 45 than he was theirs. Hopefully Klopp can find a system to get Benteke and Sturridge on the pitch at the same time as I think both are better when played up top as a pair rather than a lone man.
Henderson & Sturridge - neither did anything to get excited about but the fact that they were on the pitch was enough in many ways. We've undoubtedly missed both this season. I would say fingers crossed they can both now stay fit but I think if Danny tried it, he'd probably dislocate his finger in the process and be out for another six weeks. With the League Cup up next, it might be a good chance to get them a bit more game time before starting at least one of them against Newcastle next weekend.
Toure - cult of the Kop.
Overall it was more a workman performance today than one full of flair, which I don't mind given we haven't won in the League at Anfield in over two months. (26th September our last home Premier League win). Get a few more wins like this at home, once again scare the sh*t out of sides that they won't get F**k all from Anfield and then the performances will pick up, the free flowing play will come back and Liverpool Football Club will once again be the force we know we are.
One other thing that I really enjoyed was we took advantage of the teams above us slipping up. Countless times over the past twenty years we've bricked it when we've had the chance to capitlise on a rival dropping points, not this weekend.
Well done Reds.
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