There's another game chalked off and we remain top of the table with just 13 games to go. And due to other results yesterday, no matter what happens in midweek we'll still be top with just 12 games to go.
Yesterday was exactly what we needed as well after the Burnley game, where although we won we didn't play that well. Yesterday we won and played well for the majority of the game. Started on the back foot but you've got to expect that when you go away to these sort of clubs. This is the biggest game of their season when Liverpool come to town, so of course they're gonna be up for it and start brightly.
Once we got through that initial onslaught from Bournemouth, we took complete control of the game and never looked threatened again. The opening goal was a thing of beauty but also a thing of importance because it put all three points on the board for us. The others that followed were the cherry on the cake. And what Liverpool fan wasn't smiling as wide as the Mersey tunnel when Mo got his name on the scoresheet again.
The victory may have come at a price with another couple of injuries to worry about but we've been able to deal with other injuries so I'm confident we'll deal with these ones as well.
Kelleher - I was questioning him earlier in the season because his form was nowhere near the standard it has been recently. Yesterday he was superb again. Didn't deserve to concede the goal he did after what was a boss save. Just boss. And maybe a run of games on the horizon depending on how long Ali is out for.
Bradley - how good was it to see the young lad back in the side and back in the thick of the action straight away with that run and effort with the outside of his right foot. Defended well as usual. Surprised he started to move into midfield once Salah came on, whereas beforehand we weren't playing that way. Didn't seem to phase him or the team though, if anything it made us bettter.
Konate - back from suspension and back to being boss. Traditionally we've struggled against the big bulky centre forwards who like to bully us with their strength but not yesterday and that's because nobody is bullying Ibou in his current form.
Van Dijk - far and away his best performance in recent weeks. Like Konate beside him, just immense. Probably should have scored towards the end of the game when his header hit the bar but never mind eh? If he gets back to the form he's shown for most of this season then we're in a very good position moving forward.
Robertson - wasn't a stand out performer but just a solid dependable didn't put a foot wrong performance. Offers us great balance at left back and having another proven winner back in the side can only help as we push on. His reaction to Mo's goal (I think) showed that he's up for this title challenge as well. Liverpool are always a better side when there's a Jock in the side.
Mac Allister - fairly quiet in the second half other than giving fouls away but second half he grew into the game and a lovely taken goal to ease any nerves there may have been. It's been difficult for him since moving because he's been asked to play a number of roles in the midfield three but he seems up to the task.
Endo - cult hero strikes again. What an inspired signing he's turning out to be. And given how young our midfield is, having somebody like him in there is proving a masterstroke.
Jones - didn't do too much while he was on. Injury looked more like an awkward landing than anything. I can't work out if needs to toughen his body up or he's just unlucky with the injuries. Didn't look too upset when he was coming off, so hopefully not a long-term thing.
Jota - what a touch for the opening goal, the awareness was unreal. Had a bit of a Milan Baros earlier in the game when it was just head down and run at them rather than looking up to see the pass but we've seen him do it so many times that it's hard to criticise him for it. Like Jones, he didn't seem too upset by the injury and, although he left the field via the stretcher, when they showed him leaving the dressing room he was walking unaided so again hopefully not something long-term.
Nunez - he's one lucky f**ker that goal went in because if he'd tried the chip and fu**ed it up, he'd be getting slaughtered. Especially as it was still goalless at the time. But he didn't F**k it up, he played it perfectly. Another goal for the lad who "misses too many chances". Five in his last six starts. But you know, don't let facts ruin a good narrative.
Diaz - I thought he was fairly quiet in the first half but came to life in the second. He'll always work hard we know that and he'll always have moments of brillance. The way he danced past two or three defenders before shooting high and wide of the goal was him at his dribbling best. Another assist to his name as well, which he doesn't get as often as he probably should.
Gravenberch - I forgot he was on the pitch in the first half until he went on a little dancing run past a couple of them towards the very end of the first 45. Second he wasn't massively involved but when he was, he did well. He's copped a lot of stick for a lot of the season but yesterday was one of his better performances post-Christmas. Hopefully he can build on it.
Salah - HE'S BACK!!!!!! Within half an hour of being back in a Liverpool shirt, he had an assist, a goal and a run that left Brentford defenders for dead only to miscue to the finish to his name. As good as we've been as a team without him and as good as the front three, in particular, have been in his absence - we're a more dangerous team with Mo Salah in it. Yesterday was his ninth assist of the season and to his eighth different goalscorer.
Gakpo - lovely finish to seal the game on a high. Didn't do much else of note but will probably get a start against Luton in midweek anyway, which is a chance for him to really stake a claim to starting the Cup final. He's a much better player though when he plays for the team rather than for himself.
Gomez - I had no idea why the first thing that was discussed when Joey came on was him not scoring in his professional career. So F***ing what. And especially in a game where we were cruising at the time. It just seemed like an excuse to slag him off rather than talk about the game being won. But anyway, Joe came on, didn't score and didn't do much right or wrong. But helped us over the line.
Elliott - a bit like Joe, came on, didn't score and didn't much right or wrong. But helped us over the line.
Overall, a really good away performance at a ground where we've struggled in the past. And a really good team performance. I don't think anybody stood head and shoulders above the rest. it was just quality from back to front.
The injuries leave a slight sour taste on the result but we're clear at the top of the League so it's hard to get too down on the injuries. We've got Salah back fit and scoring again, which can only be a good thing for us.
We've got 13 League games left, with seven of them being at Anfield. So there's a real possibility that we're winning the League. A win in midweek to extend our lead at the top and put even more pressure on those chasing us would, obviously, be very welcome.
Another step towards the quad, that by the end of the month could be well and truly on track.
Thank you Reds.
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