Well, well, well, Liverpool didn't need to go behind to win a game. There's a novelty this season! Sack the manager - we wanna be losing before we turn things into three point. We need to give these inferior sides a chance at the very least.
I do feel like I watched a different game to most though. It seems a lot of people were disappointed with much of the performance, especially first half and those who people think played well I thought were poor with the exception of Gomez. I don't think we were our absolute best by any stetch but thought we were always in complete control. It looked like we were in second gear for much of it, which is where the West Ham chances came about. Had we fell behind early on, which we probably should of, I think we'd of turned it on even more but as West Ham failed to take their chances we could stay playing within ourselves and still dominate.
Another game without defeat, another victory and keeping on City's coat tails. Pulling further clear of the teams we're supposedly in a battle with for a top four spot. Despite our leaky/shaky defence, we have the best defensive record in the League after City - which is why stats don't always tell the story. Goals for three of our five world class forwards. A third consecutive game this year at Anfield where we've scored three goals. A better showing from those who were heavily criticised after the Wolves game.
For me there's a lot more to be happy about than down in the dumps after yesterday's result.
Alisson - one truly world class save and a couple that were straight down his throat. I was fearful when he completely misjudged the flight/bounce of the ball and heads it out for a corner instead of into touch like he was intending to but thankfully the resulting corner came to nothing.
Gomez - up there with his best performance in a Liverpool career that has spanned eight years and nearly 200 games. We all questioned him trying to play the "Trent role" against Wolves but he was asked to do it again against West Ham and absolutely shone. In the middle of the park he was playing more like Stevie G than Joey G. One run in particular where he turned away from two of their players and drove at their defence. F***ing immense Joey lad.
Matip - put in your typical Joel Matip performance. Comfortable on the ball, couple of really good mazy runs from the back and a strong showing defensively. Never gonna be the stand out performer of any team in any game but a vital part of a squad that wants to achieve great things.
Van Dijk - poor showing for the goal and from a corner where Bowen should have scored again but those two moments aside, I thought he was alright. Kept that mouthy c**t Antonio quiet and wasn't getting caught with people running in behind him as often as he has recently. A big improvement from the skipper from where he's been for most of this season and he ended up with an assist to his name.
Robertson - quality set pieces and a constant outlet down the left. I said a few times last year that he was our player of the season, he was the one who's form hadn't dropped anywhere near as much as others and so far this season bar one game he's been as solid as ever. I think he's benefitting as much as anybody as having a settled midfield in front of him as well as having that relationship with Diaz down the left. He struggled a bit at the start of the season with Gakpo playing the left side of the three midfelders but since Jones has taken that spot, Robbo has been sound.
Mac Allister - not just for the glorious assist he got for Darwin but for an overall performance that was as good as he's played for us so far. I'm sure we were all a bit skeptical when we saw him playing in that role again but he showed that he does have the capabilities to at least fill that gap at times. Ideally he wouldn't be the long term solution there but if he can play like that every week then why not? Got around the pitch, broke up the play, kept the ball moving and the further up the pitch he got, the more we saw what we thought we were buying. Great ball for Nunez's goal. Like I said, best he's played in a Liverpool shirt in my opinion. And what a way to bounce back after the sh*t show that was his Wolves performance.
Szoboszlai - this is where I differ to most because I thought Dom was the worst of the midfield three. Sloppy at times with the ball, two thundering free kicks straight into the wall and I don't remember being wowed by him during the game. But I get that he's the latest darling of the forum so will get rave reviews even if he doesn't play.
Jones - he's becoming a very important player in this team/squad. The new additions look to have spurred to him on the next level. And whether he's matured as a player or it's a tactical tweak but it seems like he is now playing a more sensible way. He's not trying to do everything on his own, he's not feeling the need to always do something that makes an impression and is just working as our left sided midfielder. With Henderson and Fabinho last year the creativity fell upon Jones' shoulders and maybe that's why he tried too much, with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in the team Jones can focus on just being solid. His work rate is incredible and covers so much ground. Can still beat a man, isn't afraid to have a pop and is happy to get stuck in. Did have a dodgy five minutes when he ended up on the right hand side but the most important thing I see with Curtis is he's playing with a smile on his face.
Salah - take him off pens eh? Sell him? In the words of 2 Unlimited "no no, no no no no, no no no no, no no". He was playing with that spark again, always wanting to take on his man. Didn't get everything right, I remember one really poor overhit pass to Gomez on the overlap but for the majority of the game Mo was boss again. Taking his Liverpool goals to 190. Only four players in our history have scored 200 goals or more and here's our Mo on the edge of achieving it. And he seems as keen as ever to get assists this year, even if he didn't make one yesterday. His joy when others score is there for all to see as well. The man looks so happy this season.
Nunez - it doesn't matter how many chances a forward misses if at the end of the day they get on the scoresheet and the team wins - Darwin Nunez was proof of that yesterday. Who cares if he misses that sitter when the result ends up in our favour? We'll talk about it now but by the time the Spurs game comes around nobody will bat an eye lid at it and instead we'll be talking about what a great finish his goal was. Another goal for him as he stays level with Mo as our top scorer this season and his first at Anfield since the 7-0 twatting of United. I was surprised to see him start after playing the full game in midweek but I'm glad he did. He's starting to become a must have in our starting XI just because he's such a handful.
Diaz - as I said with regards to Robbo, that relationship down the left is blossoming. It's not quite Robbo/Mane levels yet but it's on it's way. Another who I was surprised to see start after the midweek games but again glad to see because he's our best option on the left. Didn't have his most impactful game but was always available, worked hard as usual and will give opposition right backs a sleepless night.
Gravenberch - didn't really do much when he came on but you can see why we've bought him. Gets around the pitch, looks a big athletic lad and can offer us somebody who carries the ball forward.
Gakpo - a bit like Gravenberch didn't do too much other than get kicked on the halfway line but in just 10 minutes it's not much of a surprise. I know we all loved how Bobby reinvented the centre forward position by dropping deep and that's what Cody excelled at last season but now we look better with a more traditional centre forward with Nunez up top and Gakpo coming on to keep hold of the ball later on in games once we're already winning.
Jota - good poaches finish to guarantee the points. It's what he should be in the team for. In and around the six yard box, sniffing out chances and scoring goals like that.
Endo - 100% record maintained. Truly world class.
Overall I was more than happy with how we played. The players are playing a smile again and you can see how much Jürgen is enjoying himself as well. Those smiles come from wins. And those wins put a smile on my face. I'm F***ing buzzing with the start to this season. Some had said this season was a write off back in mid-July and yet come the start of October we could be top of the League.
It's been a fantastic start and hopefully we can build upon it starting with Leicester in midweek and then back to the League with Spurs on Saturday.
Quadruple is on!
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