Report by
Dave Usher
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a start like that. It was a regular occurrence in the season we challenged for the title, but it’s been rare that we’ve been treated to anything like that since. It was brilliant, and when we play like that few teams can live with it.
Of course it’s difficult, impossible even, to keep up that intensity for an entire half let alone full game, and when the tempo drops we do look vulnerable at the back. Still, this team are fantastic going forward and could take the Champions League by storm this year.
What is most satisfying about this attacking display is that it wasn’t just down to the front three. Mané was obviously terrific (he usually is) and Firmino was the best player on the park, but look at the contribution from the midfield three. Can scored twice, Wijnaldum had a hand in a couple of the goals and Hendo unselfishly put the fourth on a plate for Firmino. That’s great because we’ve understandably been concerned about the lack of creativity and goals from a midfield missing both Lallana and the other little tit.
The goals were brilliant and we were rampant in that opening 20 minutes or so. Their coach had been a little bit too cocksure of himself in the build up and he came a cropper by picking a team that played right into our hands. A high line with a back three is asking for trouble against us and it reminded me a little of the Spurs game last season when Mané just toyed with that cart horse Dier.
The first goal was us at our best. We won the ball back near halfway, Firmino had dropped deeper to pick it up and then played it into space for Mané. We’d seen the exact same thing a few minutes earlier when Firmino played a brilliant ball in behind but Mané was denied by the keeper. This time Sadio was held up by a defender but he waited for Can to overlap and then back heeled it into his path. There was a bit of good fortune about the finish as the deflection beat the keeper, but the goal was just trademark Liverpool.
The second came soon after. Again, we picked the ball up near halfway, Can carried it forward, Moreno overlapped, he gave it to Firmino and when you look at the team movement it was terrific. Can didn’t go marauding into the box this time, he held his position on the edge and Wijnaldum drifted in unnoticed. Firmino did well to find him and although his shot came back off the post, there was Salah to put in the rebound.
Salah is the best rebounder I’ve seen since Dennis Rodman. He’s great. He just drifts into areas where the ball might come to him, either off the keeper or the woodwork. He’ll score 15 goals this season easily and half of them will be tap ins, which is unheard of for a winger.
The third goal was the pick of the bunch though. Brilliant, brilliant football. Moreno picked out Firmino who had dropped deep and brought the centre back with him. Mané ran into the space that had been created by Firmino and Wijnaldum played a brilliant ball into that space.
Mané was way ahead of everyone but one of the great things Klopp has done since he’s been here is encouraged players to get in the box, and seeing them all charging forward when we attack is fucking boss. Mané held it up long enough for Firmino to get round the back of him. Another back heel played Firmino in and he floated a perfect ball to the back stick where Big Sexy arrived to volley in his second of the game.
Klopp loved it, and Emre was so excited he messed up his usually perfect knee slide and nod celebration. Great stuff, game over and only 20 minutes gone.
Their manager then took off the extra defender he’d started and brought on the forward who had scored in the first leg. What’s German for “closing the stable door after the horse has done a runner”?
In fairness the change worked, but it was obviously too late. The lad who came on scored with another nice finish after a sloppy ball from Lovren had sold Wijnaldum short and put us on the back foot. Just like in the first leg, Mignolet had no chance again as the lad put it right in the corner.
It wasn’t going to alter the outcome of the tie but it was still fucking annoying. They had a few other chances too as we eased off a bit. Nothing to be too alarmed about, and I don’t know, maybe we’re expecting too much? This is the fourth best team in Germany, is it realistic to think we can prevent them creating anything?
Probably not, but some of the defending was suspect and they seemed to be targeting that left side combination of Moreno and Lovren. Then again, Trent on the other flank was getting exposed a bit by Gnabri, but fortunately the winger’s finishing was garbage.
I don’t want to dwell too much on the defending though as you can’t have it both ways. If a team attacks the way we do there simply has to be a trade off in terms of conceding goals. You can’t attack like we do and defend like Atletico Madrid, it’s just not possible.
The second half was good, we had plenty of chances but had to settle for just the one goal when Hendo pressed the last man and won the ball before unselfishly rolling it to Firmino for a tap in. What I like about this is Hendo doesn’t score many and it was a chance for him to grab a bit of glory. The game was won and no-one would have held it against him if he’d gone himself, but it’s better for the team if the centre forward is scoring regularly so that was great captaincy.
Of course we then conceded another one, but it was immaterial at that point as there was no way the outcome was in any doubt. The only minor complaint I have is Mané still being out there on 87 minutes. I’d have took him off as soon as it went to 3-0 as we can’t take any unnecessary chances with him. He’s brilliant, bordering on world class now, and we need him.
Europe doesn’t seem to know just how great he is, hence Barca pursuing Coutinho instead, but that might change this season if we make the kind of splash in this competition that I feel we might do. It suits us perfectly as those brain fart results we have domestically aren’t as damaging in Europe as you get a second chance.
A 3-3 draw at Watford was a big disappointment, but if that was in a CL Group Match it’d be sound, and if it was in an away leg in the knock outs it’d be great. The way we play is made for this competition and I think we could go far in it.
The one thing I’m hoping for is a chance to play Barcelona because, honestly, I reckon we’d fucking destroy them. They’re a perfect match for how we play and I don’t think they could live with the speed we have and the tempo we play at. The flip side to that is if we were to play Atletico I’m not sure we’d be able to score in a month of Sundays.
Whoever we end up getting, it’s going to be a lot ore enjoyable than it was the last time we were in it, that’s for sure.
Star man is Firmino but the front six were all terrific.
Team: Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold (Gomez), Matip, Lovren, Moreno; Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum (Milner); Salah, Firmino, Mané (Klavan):
Recommended Comments