Chalk another one off as we go back top of the League and the Anfield fortress is once again unbreached.
Sloppy start and poor game management at the end of the game but for the 80 odd minutes in between we were in complete control and got the result we deserved. It was the sort of game where I was never really worried they'd equalise because they didn't look much of a threat, especially second half, but the longer it went at 2-1 there's always a nagging doubt. Even more so when our entire back four was about 15 yards away from their box going into injury time. I know it's how we play but F**k me it doesn't the old ticker much good.
I don't even think the finishing our part was all that bad, we didn't have too many clear cut chances and the ones we did get we either scored or at the very least tested their keeper. A lot is being made of Mo's missed chances in particular but I'd of been surprised if he ended up with any more than two today - or maybe I wouldn't of because it's Mo. Probably should have done better with the one in the first half that he hit first time as a back pass and the one in the second when we broke from the corner. Other than that, the rest weren't exactly sitters.
Big win and ultimately in football, that's all that matters.
Brighton have certainly adopted the style of breathe on them and they fall over though. Lost count of how many times they went down with bare minimum contact (if any).
Kelleher - didn't have too many saves to make and couldn't of done anything with the goal. Fairly straightforward game for him.
Bradley - looked as if Brighton had identified our right side as the weak side early on and they got some joy down there in the first half but as the game wore on Conor performed as we've already come to expect. Won the ball back numerous times in either one on one situations or by his pressing and of course he's always a threat going forward.
Quansah - looked completely out of his depth in the first half in my opinion. Just looked like the occassion was too big for him. Second half though, he was back to the player who we've seen for most of this season and one who could save us a fortune in the centre half position. He was strong, quick and decisive - everything he wasn't in the first 45.
Van Dijk - Brighton didn't get too much change from the big man. Didn't steal too many headlines but put in a solid performance.
Gomez - thought he done alright in what is becoming his most likely position to get a game. But like a lot of the team, his game management at the end of the game was a bit questionable. I'd rather be a boring old-school style team of go to the corner flag and buy fouls, waste time, do whatever it takes to see it through. But that's not how we play so no point complaining, especially as we're top of the League.
Mac Allister - I questioned him a lot when he first arrived, I remember even before the season started saying he wasn't the sort of transfer who gets fans excited. But as his Liverpool career has gone on, he's blossomed into one hell of a vital cog in this Liverpool machine. I don't know if he wanted to prove a point against his old side but very early on he seemed to just take upon himself to be the man we were looking to to create something. Pass after pass was causing them trouble and of course it ends with a lovely assist for Mo's winner.
Endo - wasn't his best game but he didn't under perform either. A bit like Van Dijk, it was solid without having to being spectactular.
Szoboszlai - other than the run and pass for Mo's backpass in the first half and an Andy Robertson like pressing chase in the second half, it was fairly quiet from the Hungarian. Seems to be a lot less involved in games when he's playing on the left of the midfield three.
Salah - as I said at the top of the post, his misses are getting a lot of attention - solely because he's not supposed to miss and we're not used to him missing so many "chances". But the "chances" weren't glaring misses. They were half chances at best. And it's testamane to the man that we're expecting him to bury even half chances. Did get his goal though because he almost always scores at Anfield. Great bravery for the Diaz goal as well and a F***ing belting pass for the goal that got chalked off.
Nunez - one of his quieter games today and still caused them problems when he was involved. How the ball hits the keepers calf to prevent him from scoring is one of those things that only happens to Liverpool. Said it a few weeks ago when Robbo was brought off and instead of trunching slowly across the pitch, he just went off down the left flank - Nunez done the same today by going off behind the goal. I think we're the only club who actually play to the rules of the game even when we're winning.
Diaz - thought he was invisible for the first half and it's not very often I say that. But then he popped up with yet another really well taken goal. Scored more this season than his previous two years combined. Should have had a second but VAR decided his armpit hair was too long. F***ing love our Lucho la.
Elliott - done alright when he came on, plenty of energy about him. Gave Bradley a bit more cover as well. He may not like it and I guess that's a good thing but for now he is best suited to being a sub.
Gakpo - seems to get pelters no matter what. I like the fact he took one of those "good" yellow cards just to slow the game down a bit and prevent them breaking on us.
Gravenberch - good to see him back. Said it for a while now that we're gonna need all bodies available for the run in so important to get Grav back out there.
Overall, it's a win and one that puts us top. That'll do to Brighton up the day of all Liverpool fans. Or at least it should be.
Keep doing what we're doing Reds in the 9 games left so we can end a magical managerial reign with the biggest magical moment of the lot.
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