That’s the perfect way to deal with a fixture like this and let's be honest, it’s about damn time. So often in recent years we’ve made proper hard work of lower league opposition so it was good to finally see us make it look as easy as it’s supposed to be. How much of that was down to Sadio Mané though? A lot, I’d say.
The Senegal man provided the pace, thrust and inventiveness that was so sorely lacking against Burnley and Nigel Clough's men just couldn’t cope with him. Burton were completely overmatched all over the pitch but it was Mané who did most of the damage. He seemed to be involved in everything and even after just two games in a red shirt I’m thinking he’s probably the best player at the club now. Premature maybe and it could blow up in my face, but the difference he makes is clear and even in stoppage time he was still making runs at break neck speed to get ahead of the ball.
Against Burnley we had all of the ball but rarely managed to get in behind them to get dangerous balls across the box. What Mané did for the opening goal in this game is the perfect way to beat a packed, deep defence. Burton actually doubled up on him and there looked to be little danger, but he’s got the ability to stop, slow everything down and then just suddenly go and leave people in his wake. No-one else we have has that.
The way he brought the ball down, stood up two defenders and then just blew around the outside was tremendous, and he also had the composure to pick out Origi who finished neatly. Divock had missed two chances prior to that (one created brilliantly by Mané) so he’ll have been relieved to put that one away and get his season off and running.
The second goal owed a lot to Mané too, but probably more to the Burton keeper who stupidly through the ball out instead of just kicking it up upfield. Not only was the throw too short, but the left back didn’t even appear to be watching anyway and if Mané hadn’t cut it out Clyne would have. As it was, Mané seized on it and then released Clyne on the overlap and his superb cross was well finished by Firmino, who - unlike Lallana a few minutes earlier - kept his eye on the ball and didn’t worry about whether the keeper was going to hit him or not.
Mané should then have been awarded a pen when he was clipped from behind as he raced into the box, but it’s difficult to complain too much about that when Lovren got away with one very early in the game. It was somewhat soft looking, but I thought that was a definite trip and I'd have had no argument had it been given. The Burton player didn’t make anything of it but he probably should have.
Aside from that one slightly concerning moment, the first half was pretty much exactly what you’d want in a game like this. We attacked well and completely snuffed out anything at the other end before it got near Mignolet. I don’t think they were even close to mounting an effort on goal whereas we could, and probably should have scored four.
The third goal was important because the game was just ambling along at that stage with not much happening, which can be dangerous because if you’ve switched off and are just playing out time and then all of a sudden concede one, everything can change quickly. That spawny own goal killed them off for good though and then Sturridge was able to come on and enjoy himself with a couple of goals.
I felt watching the first half that if Sturridge had started he’d have filled his boots. Origi kept getting caught offside and was doing my head in a bit if I'm honest. He looked rusty, which he probably is given the lack of football he’s had since that blueshite twat put him on the shelf, but the more he plays the better he'll get. The problem is Sturridge needs to play too, and then there's poor old Danny Ings who can't get a look in.
I reckon Sturridge will do well this year if he’s playing with Mané instead of being asked to be Mané, as he was at the weekend. I’d start him at Spurs now instead of Firmino, although if Origi were to get the nod I’d have no problem with that as he's valuable in tough away games. Let’s face it though, it’ll be Firmino, won’t it? *sighs*
Assuming he’s fit that is. Both he and Can went off with knocks. I don’t know what all that means for Saturday but to be honest I think Mané is the only player who I’d be that arsed about losing at the moment. The others are all easily replaced, except Clyne and maybe Lovren.
Star man is Mané, obviously.
Team: Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Can (Stewart), Henderson, Lallana (Wijnaldum); Mané, Origi, Firmino (Sturridge):
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