A poor first five minutes before we followed by a fairly solid half hour then a poor final five minutes to end the first half. Second half started a bit sluggish as well but quickly found our groove with an opening goal that wouldn't look out of place in any Liverpool side. That's what you call pass and move. One touch, slick, accurate and a wonderful finish from Darwin.
Defensively, we were imperious. I don't think Ali had to do anything bar one save from distance. The knock on Konate was scary because of how good he's been all season. And tonight he was again as good as anybody in a Liverpool shirt.
Great to see a few more youngsters get a run out as well. And none of them disappointed. Bradley looks at home in that right back role - interesting that it's Gomez who has been asked to play the "hybrid" role instead of asking too much of the young lad. Beck and Clark both looked comfortable, both had surging runs with the ball and both did themselves proud.
Five points clear, four goals, three points, two scorers and one clear sheet. And this is without a fair few guaranteed starters.
Alisson - had sod all to do for most of the game but get wet. Got caught in no-mans land a little for Solanke but the ball rolled out harmlessly and a little for the Moore chance but he knocked it out for a goal kick.
Bradley - just looks at home in our side and spoke so well after the game. Deffo should have done better with the header he had but other than that, F***ing boss.
Konate - imperious for ninety minutes again. I've said it before but get this big f**ker signed up to a long-term contract because he will be the best centre half in the world at some point - if he isn't already. Hopefully the knock on his ankle is just a slight knock and nothing too serious.
Van Dijk - as good as his central defensive partner today. It's no surprise that our season is going so well when we have Virg back to his best.
Gomez - the goal is coming but he did have a really good chance to let fly in the first half but instead tried clipping it to the far post. Seems comfortable moving into the middle of the park as well from the back. Been a huge player for us this season.
Elliott - really underwhelmed again. For whatever reason, he just can't perform from the start of games. Sloppy with the ball and was rightly taken off.
Mac Allister - really good showing from him. Controlled the tempo of the game, made some telling passes and got stuck in when was asked to. The enforced break out the team due to injury seems to have worked for him. Maybe it's given the coaching staff a bit more time with him to tell him what they want from him in that role.
Jones - very quiet first half but turned it on in the second half. Done really well for the opener. Showed his pressing qualities. Could have had another goal if he'd got into the box a little quicker from the Jota cross that Nunez just missed. Hopefully the injury isn't too serious as we need all the bodies we can get at the minute.
Diaz - tried hard but never really got into the game but showed his fighting attitude. He works his bollocks off for the cause.
Jota - put him in the middle and he'll score goals as he showed twice today. First was pure finishing ability, second was so instinctive after the mishit. His all round game was good as well. Got an assist, could have another one or two. Just a great forward. And probably a bit different to anything else we have had under Jürgen in the fact that he is an out and out finisher.
Nunez - write this lad off at your peril because he will prove you wrong. He may not be getting Rush in his prime goalscoring numbers but he'll get his fair share. Double figures now for the season. On top of that, he's a F***ing nightmare for defenders as he proved with his part in Jota's first goal. Another two goals for him that were one touch finishes. Just don't let him think and he'll score.
Gravenberch - his best performance for some time. I was starting to question him recently but today he looked good again. Couple of nice touches, couple of nice turns to create space. Probably didn't catch the eye as much as others but I was happy to see him back to some sort of level.
Gakpo - don't recall seeing him other than when Aarons got in down the left and Konate made that excellenct tackle on Solanke. Yeah, quiet night for Cody.
Beck - good little cameo from the lad. Got a couple of good blocks in, a Robbo-like run up the field with the ball and can be very happy with his performance.
Clark - like Owen above him, a good showing from the young lad. Should have had a penalty as well but that'll be glossed over because it didn't have any impact on the result. Looks comfortable out there whenever he's played so hopefully he'll get a few more chances as the season and years roll on.
Gordon - I don't even think the commentators realised he came on given Seb Hutchison said "Jota and Nunez will be hoping for one more chance" despite Diogo sitting on the bench having been replaced by Kaide. Not sure if he touched the ball but at least he's back to fitness and giving us another option out there.
Overall, F***ing made up.
Extend the lead at the top of the League and the quadruple is still well and truly on. People wondered how we'd cope without Salah during the month of January, well we're coping just fine. And we'll be even better once that Egyptian King is back.
Well in Reds. Big three points.
I'll let others do the complaining because I'm F***ing buzzing.
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