Derby County 0 Liverpool 3 (September 20 2016)

[tlw content]

For years we’ve made these games difficult for ourselves, but it looks like they’ve finally figured it out. Last year we needed pens to beat Carlisle at Anfield in this competition. We drew at Exeter too before winning a replay easily enough. Hell, even when we had that great team in 2014 we still needed Suarez to come off the bench and score a handball winner to beat non-league Mansfield. This year we’ve faced two Championship sides, and smothered them both.
 
Derby were never in this game. At no point were they in with a chance as we were on top from start to finish. It was the same against Burton in the last round. The main difference between the two games was we did this without Mané, which probably explains us having to settle for three goals rather than the five scored at Burton.
 
Klopp got his team selection bang on though. Players who could have used a rest got one. Sturridge had looked goosed against Chelsea, while Lallana and Wijnaldum have been running themselves into the ground so far this season. Then there’s Milner, who could play every game if necessary, but why take the risk? It’s a physically demanding position he’s playing at the moment, so any opportunity to let him put his feet up should be taken. And obviously we don’t want to be risking Mané unless it’s absolutely necessary.
 
Bringing in players like Klavan, Origi, Lucas, Grujic and even Moreno (whatever his faults, he’s still several levels above Championship opponents) doesn’t weaken the team much at all, but in previous years it would have done. Then again, even our full strength team had problems whenever they faced lower league teams. Maybe it was complacency, or perhaps it was tactical. Whatever it was, it now looks like Klopp has solved it, fingers crossed. 

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[Dave D]

Trying to keep a lid on it, but all this positivitey and optimism........

 

Are we good again?????

[Paco]

Only saw the first hour as Junior wouldn't sleep. Sounds like I saw the best of it.

[ZonkoVille77]

Trying to keep a lid on it, but all this positivitey and optimism........

 

Are we good again?????

 

Nope. We're still fucking shite.

I'll decide when we're no longer fucking shite.

[dylstar]

"His performance was very bright, almost as bright as Firmino's new teeth but not quite ."

 

 

If there had been a floodlight failure you wouldn't of noticed because of Firminio's teeth .

[liverpoolsno9]

Trying to keep a lid on it, but all this positivitey and optimism........

 

Are we good again?????

Everton are above us FFS.

[Dave D]

Everton are above us FFS.

We cant compete with the billionaires 

[jimmycase]

Was at the game, we played very well when you consider the changes. Previous seasons we'd have really struggled in this type of game after making the changes we did to the previous game's line up.

 

But, I think this is both an indication of Klopp's acumen plus, the strength in depth we are starting to build. Previously, you'd look at our first 11 and say, yeah, they'll give anyone a game. Make a few changes though and it was a different story, anyone and everyone fancied their chances against a changed Liverpool team.

 

Karius was solid but he did look a bit weak in the air once or twice. I think anyone clamouring for him to start against Hull are going to be disappointed.

 

Nice to see Klavan slap one in. Its always a good sign in my opinion when different players weigh in with goals and the goals different players are scoring from us now makes the talk before the window closed about getting another striker in look a bit by the by.

 

Another good goal by David Blaine and good to see Origi get back amongst the goals with a really good finish. might have got a couple if his vision had of been a bit better.

 

One or two derby tackles flew in but it was good to see we stood up to them and no one got injured.

 

Back to the Prem on Saturday so roll on Hull!