Alisson - had bugger all to do most of the game and still managed to find time to slip another mistake onto his list of errors. Obviously it'll be glossed over because it didn't lead to anything and we ended up twatting those cu*ts 7-0 but on another day that mistake could of lead to them getting a pen and a possible way back into a game they had no right being in. On the plus side though, I thought his handling was very good.
Alexander-Arnold - had one of his quieter games yesterday, which is possibly why we were a lot more solid at the back because we played with a back four rather than a right back playing as a free roaming liability. A very good performance rather than the headline ones he's produced in the past.
Konate - the man is a F***ing beast. We look better with him in the team and those around him perform better. Probably should of got himself on the scoresheet with his header but other than that, hard to find any faults in the big man.
Van Dijk - I worried about his performance when the first time Rashford got in behind him he just tried to lean on the United forward rather than dealing with the ball and ended up having to give a corner away but after that looked as assured as ever - bar the one real chance they had where Rashford snuck in behind him and fluffed his lines, showing the difference between an average forward who's just in good form and the permanently world class forwards we have.
Robertson - is highly unlucky not to have more votes for man of the match because the Jock was F***ing outstanding and set the tone for the team performance from the off. Could of got himself a couple of goals as well as a couple of assists if he had a right foot. Absolutely fantastic yesterday and in fairness, his levels haven't dropped anywhere near as much as the rest of the teams this year.
Elliott - had the sort of performance I think we'll see a lot more of during his Liverpool career. And by that I mean he was very hot and cold on the ball, an easy pass out wide on the halfway line that they cut out and broke from to the excellent cross for Nunez's first that put the game to bed. Without the ball though, he was doing the donkey work like he always does.
Fabinho - has been performing well over the last few weeks and yesterday was no different. A really good solid performance in the middle of the park. I don't know if his form going to pot and his missus being pregnant were just coincidences but since the birth of his little 'un, he's been performing much better on the pitch.
Henderson - done what he's done so many times for us down the years. A no frills, no highlight reel performance but covered every blade of grass and was a vital part to a huge victory. He and Fabinho have been written off lately but the last few weeks have shown that they still have a role to play.
Salah - was rather good wasn't he? Simply put, that was as good as Mo Salah has played in a Liverpool shirt in my opinion. He wasn't the greedy c**t he's been in the past and still ended up with a brace. Two instinctive finishes to break Fowler's record. Link up play with his fellow forwards as well as Trent and Harvey down the right. 12 in 12 against United. Unbelievably good yesterday.
Gakpo - another who'd been written off and questioned why he'd been signed and I said that he was only being questioned because he hadn't hit the ground running. Now he's got going, he's being showered with praise. And let's be honest, goals against Everton and United aren't a bad way to make yourself popular amongst Liverpool fans. But his all round game has picked up since the Derby. He's starting to look like he belongs here and after his first, which was a lovely move and finish, I was made up to see the entire team congratulate him to say "yeah you're one of us".
Nunez - was the one player who annoyed me most in the first half because he's the one with the pace to run at them and it just felt like everything was backwards as soon as he got it, didn't look to have any belief in himself. But second half he turned that right around and put in the sort of performance that is going to earn him even more adulation from the fans. He's already loved by the supporters and if he can continue to progress then we're in good hands moving forward. People have questioned his goalscoring tally but 14 goals in 31 games isn't exactly bad, it's just it could of been better if he'd finished some chances in other matches. But yesterday two great headers, some lovely link up play again and still that bit of fire in him when he was ready to destroy Luke Shaw.
Bajectic - nice little cameo, didn't do anything of any real note but didn't let the momentum slide when he came on.
Jota - could of finally broken his goal draught and in the same play could of had a penalty but neither happened. Starting to look sharper with every passing game and his fitness, along with Diaz's, could be vital for the final push this season.
Firmino - what a moment for Bobby after the last couple of days. Announcing he was leaving just prior to the United game could of gone the other way for him but instead he comes off the bench and score a typical Bobby Firmino finish. I've never been his biggest fan but you can't help but love his enthusiasm for the game. Delighted he got his goal to end the rout.
Milner - does what Jimmy Milner does nowadays. Comes on for the last 10-15 minutes to see a game out. I wanted him to be more aggressive with his decision making in the last few minutes instead of playing it into the corner but he's the consummate pro isn't he?
Jones - nice to see him get back on the pitch and in such an impressive victory but didn't really do much in the limited time he had. It's another option for Jürgen, which isn't a bad thing.
Overall, it was a fantastic performance and one that will live long in the memory of both sets of supporters. Five clean sheets on the spin in the League, four wins in that time as well. Players returning to fitness and form. It's starting to look a lot better this sesaon than it was at the turn of the year. Fighting for fourth isn't where we want to be but ultimately it is where we are right now and it's a fight we have to win. Keep playing like we did yesterday and there's no doubt in my mind that we will win it.
Special mention as well to Jürgen Klopp, who I stated last night that I F***ing loved. Well that hasn't changed. And I think most on here would agree that they love that man to. He's given us some special memories during his time here and like some of his players, people were beginning to question him and write him off and he's F***ing answered back in the best way possible. Thank you Jürgen for all you've done for this club and the happiness you've brought to our fans over the years.
Keep smiling Reds!
« Last Edit: Mar 06, 2023 12:15:38 pm by dunlop liddell shankly »
Logged
