Well, well, well, it looks like this side has got some legs in them after all. That was very much a performance of old with the harrying of their defence, the complete control of the game and a comfortable victory. Still had the odd moment of getting caught at the back, either dallying on the ball or just a lapse of concentration but overall it was a great game of football from a Liverpool fans point of view.
The season was written off before it started and we were told that having Chelsea, Newcastle and Villa in our opening four games would see us way off the pace. But here we are going into the international break unbeaten, right on City's heels and improving all the time. The transfer window was considered rather meh by a fair few with the usual complaints of us not spending enough and missing out on "world class" players but actually it's looking like our signings are working out so far, while other targets are actually making a right balls up of their moves. And just think a couple of years ago we were told an injury to Van Dijk would derail us, here we are today without our number 4 and keeping a clean sheet for the first time this season.
All in all, plenty of positives for us to build upon.
Alisson - hopefully he wore some suncream today because all he had to do today was catch a nice tan and make the odd regulation save, with one decent save coming from the Matty Cash header. But other than that it was get the deckchair out for our number 1.
Alexander-Arnold - seems to have grown into the captains armband over the last couple of games, showing real signs of leadership. And today was his best performance for a very long time. I thought there were a couple of times where this new role hindered us because there was no out ball on the right wing but that's not on him, that's the tactic we're now using. And his passing was somewhere back to the standard we expect.
Matip - another solid performance from the big man, Watkins didn't touch the ball and Duran was limited to two shots from really difficult angles. Missed an absolute sitter but we'll give him a pass for that because he did what he's in the team to do and that's keep the opposition out.
Gomez - bar one stumble that let them in in the first half, he was boss. He's been given plenty of criticism down the years, from me as much as anybody, but credit where it's due. And with Van Dijk being suspended for a couple of games as well as the Konate injury, it's a chance for Joe to at least give Jürgen a difficult decision moving forward. And it was very noticable that when he was moved to right back, we went back to a traditional back four and didn't expect Joey to do what Trent does.
Robertson - I was so annoyed by Robbo after the Newcastle game, he was so F***ing negative and wasteful but today it was the opposite. He was on the front foot, he was offering us an out down the left and was very good defensively. Much improved.
Szoboszlai - got caught dallying on the ball in the box and a miscontrol gave them a chance but two minor errors that didn't result in anything too costly. Everything else today was a joy to watch and what a strike to open his account, our first of the game and 900th under Jürgen. Mighty impressive showing.
Mac Allister - this is the sort of game that he should be excelling in. I've been critical of him (and Dom) so far this year when we haven't had the ball but with the ball they've showed their qualities and that's why this is the sort of game Mac should be excelling in. We dominated the ball for the large parts and he was able to just keep the ball ticking over. One of those under the radar performances that I like.
Jones - didn't do much good or bad. And I know there's plenty who are adamant we can do much better than him. But it's first game back after a little niggle so can let him off a little. Still think he'll have a big part to play in us winning the League this year.
Salah - people wanna sell this fella? The mind boggles. Could have had a hattrick of assits if Darwin had his goalscoring boots on. By the way, what an understanding those two have together. It's almost Gerrard/Torres level. And of course he got his customary goal. Yeah, flog him. We'll be better without him. Will we F**k. Offer that little Egyptian a new contract to keep him here for another five years.
Nunez - was a threat throughout but couldn't finish today. Had enough opportunities but none of them fell his way. But like all good forwards, he was still getting in those positions. And effectively got two assits, the Salah goal and the Cash own goal. If he capped today with a goal then I reckon most would be giving him man of the mach. If we cocked it up today, the knives would be out because he missed those chances. One of those sort of performances.
Diaz - was a constant thorn in their side for the first half hour or so but as is often the case with Lucho he faded out of the game. But at the times he was influencial, he was almost unplayable. Such an enjoyable player to watch when he's terrifying defenders the way he does.
Elliott - I feel like a parrot with our Harv is concerned, lots of good stuff without the ball and not too much quality with it. I think he's becoming the new Henderson almost. Plenty of huff and puff but not much else. But I don't knock him for it because all teams need those that do the donkey work and the thankless jobs.
Gakpo - was probably his best performance of the season but that isn't saying too much. Some nice link up play. But by the time he came on, the game was dead anyway.
Jota - was the one poor showing today. I don't know if he made a successful pass. Looked totally out of sorts.
Quansah - looked at complete ease when he came on. I know the game was all but done but Villa could have tried to go after a young lad on his home debut but he was up to the challenge. And the rest of the team looked comfortable with him, trusting him as well. First player in our history who's surname begins with the letter Q as well, so he'll always have a place in history no matter how his career actually pans out.
Endo - 100% record continues. What an inspired signing he's turning out to be.
Overall, bouncing again.
And I'm F***ing glad that Jürgen Klopp is a Red.
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