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Just another standard Anfield European night. The more things like this happen, the less anyone will want to come here and face us. It’s not just that we beat PSG, it’s how we beat them. We completely dominated them and then even when it looked like we’d somehow let it slip, we still managed to get it done. Things like that will only fuel the whole “Fortress Anfield” narrative. There’s not a team in the world I wouldn’t fancy us to beat at Anfield, particularly under the lights. PSG have talent but they never have to play against anyone like us so it was always going to be tough for them. People forget that I think. Much of the talk is what a big test it was going to be for us. No, the big test was for them. We were in the final last year, this isn’t our first rodeo. The fuck have they done? Yeah they reach the last 16 or last eight most years, but so did Arsenal. They could never beat anyone decent either. We face a much tougher level of competition week in week out, and that makes a big difference. Our players will run and run and run and won’t complain about it because they believe in their manager and what he expects from them. They know his methods work and they’ve bought into them. PSG have it too easy in Ligue 1, they don’t need to work. They’re like me in junior school when I got by on my big brain. I didn’t need to study or revise because, all modesty aside, I was just cleverer than everyone else. Then I got to seniors and everyone passed me by because I was so lazy and couldn’t be arsed doing any schoolwork, and my big brain alone wasn’t enough anymore. There were kids nowhere near as clever as me coming away with A’s and B’s, while I was failing everything and proving to be a massive disappointment to my parents. You know what I got for GCSE English? An E!! I write for a living and I’ve got an E for my English GCSE. Not because I couldn’t do it, but because, like Neymar and tracking back, I just couldn’t be arsed. So yeah, the moral of that story is that Ligue 1 is junior school, the CL is seniors, and myself and Neymar are lazy bastards. Neymar and Mbappe should be embarrassed when they watch the replay of this game. They made Sturridge look like Dirk Kuyt. Fair play to ‘Studge’, he did his bit defensively. He mightn’t be the most energetic looking of players but at least he attempted to put himself in the right positions to close down space, and when one of the wide players went central he moved over to cover. There's just such an intensity about our play on nights like this, and Milner set the tone for it with an early challenge on Neymar that got everyone going. It was probably the best moment of the night other than Bobby's goal. Neymar skipped away from Trent and was doing a stepover and then BAM!!! He's on his arse. That fancy dan shit isn't going to fly with Milner, he's from Yorkshire. It reminded me of this.... Those PSG lads just reeked of ‘big time’ and you could see some of the dirty looks they were getting from their beleaguered team-mates. Poor Rabiot has probably had his career shortened by a year or two after the amount of running he was forced to do in this one. There was one incident near the end when he had to run 60 yards chasing Gini down the right wing. He stuck to his task to be fair to him, and then at the end of it he looks upfield and sees Neymar just fucking stood there. He looked like he was fuming, but you would be wouldn’t you? This is one hell of a team we’ve got right now, but we’ve got to start killing teams off when we’ve got them on the ropes. It’s been a problem ever since we rolled over West Ham on opening day. Since then, every game has been much closer than it ought to have been in the closing stages. We almost drew with Spurs at the weekend. That would have been a staggering miscarriage of justice, but this might have been even worse. We could have lost it before we eventually won it. I mean how the fuck does that happen? Going 2-0 up should have led to a Roma style hammering. The opening goal was great. Brilliant cross by Trent that was just missed by Mané. Then an even better ball by Robbo that wasn’t missed by Sturridge. Cue wriggly arms celebration, inevitably mimicked by Sadio, the celebration chameleon. Soon after it was 2-0 as PSG’s left back inexplicably tripped Wijnaldum in the box. Big Games James stepped up and buried the pen, and PSG were facing the prospect of being blown away. Then they were handed an undeserved lifeline just on half time. The goal shouldn’t have stood as Cavani was a yard offside when the cross came in and he attempted an overhead kick, thereby influencing the play as it put our defenders off. The ball hit Robbo on the shin and fell to Meunier, who finished it well to be fair. I wasn’t unduly concerned about that goal but I did think it might liven PSG up a bit. It didn’t. The second half was one way traffic. This game was so easy we should have been up by four or five as they couldn’t live with us at all. It was only easy because of how hard the players worked though. The pace and intensity we play at was just too much for PSG. It’s one of the strangest games I’ve ever seen really. In the second half it looked like PSG thought it was a testimonial. There were gaps everywhere, our players had acres of space to play in and at times it was so easy I think that had a negative impact on how we played. Normally I’d expect us to score six against a team who played like that. A couple of times we had four agains three attacks and just ended up picking the wrong option through being spoiled for choice. I just don’t know what PSG were doing, it was weird. Three up front and then everyone else expected to just try and stop our attacks. But for the brilliance of Thiago Silva this would have been a rout. He was top drawer I thought. As were our lads at the back too, although they were not as overworked as Silva. Big Virg was just strolling around with all the time in the world, pinging passes out to Trent on the right wing who seemed to have twenty yards of space to operate in at all times. It was mad, as I say, I just don’t know what PSG were doing. I thought they were a fucking disgrace actually, but then all of a sudden it’s 2-2 and Draxler is in the box with a great chance to win it. How did we get there? It’s not like we played badly, in fact we were outstanding all over the park. But we didn’t kill them off. Even teams who lack of talent can hurt you if you don’t step on their throat, so when they have as many dangerous forwards as PSG you just can’t let them back up off the canvas. That was the mistake we made, we got sloppy because it was too easy. I fully expected us to win but I thought they'd have put up more of a fight than they did. I don't think they're as great as some make them out to be but obviously they're dangerous as they have some world class talent. I think they've have been hyped up a bit too much just because they’ve got Neymar and Mbappe. Logically though, there was absolutely no reason to think they were going to come to Anfield and beat us. There’s no reason to think they’ll beat us in Paris either. It could happen, of course it could, but I just don’t see them as being as good as us. I expect them to play a lot better than this though. Talk about individuals all you like, but it takes more than that to be a great team. We’ve got great individuals too, but the collective exceeds all of that. We’re a team. We play as a team, whether that’s attacking or defending. That’s the difference between us and PSG. For example, Mo was mostly shite in this game but he still worked his little nuts off because that's the very least that's expected of everyone in our team. Neymar on the other hand, is only interested when the ball is at his feet. Mbappe isn't much better either. He looked sharp but he was very well shackled for the most part and he made no attempt whatsoever to stop Robbo marauding forward. As for Cavani? He’s all hype. Always has been, always will be. Even if he scores a hat-trick in the return game he’s still a massive fucking phoney. Whenever the question is raised about who has the best front three the answer is always going to be us because our front three doesn’t have that big skeletor looking fraud in it. At least he puts in a shift though, which is more than the other two lazy bastards can say. Ultimately we didn’t win this because of our much vaunted front three though. Ok, technically we did because one third of it came off the bench and scored the winner. My point is that whereas last season our forwards were running riot in this competition, this win was more about the team’s performance as a whole. Bobby wasn’t even on the pitch for most of the game, while we would probably have been better off if Mo had been sat beside him on the bench too. He just doesn’t look happy in himself right now and isn’t playing with the same freedom and joy we’re used to. It’s all looking a bit too forced at times. He could really have done with that disallowed goal being allowed to stand, because he really struggled after it. He was lucky to stay on as long as he did and when he was subbed it was very much a case of shutting the stable door when the horse was already halfway down the street. You can’t give the ball away that cheaply even to an average Premier League side, so doing it when Neymar and Mbappe are waiting to pounce is only ever going to end in trouble. Still, we were a bit unlucky there as Van Dijk did well to challenge Neymar, but the loose ball fell perfectly for Mbappe to score. Klopp wasted no time in hooking Mo after that. He might want to sit him down and have a chat with him, find out what’s on his mind as something just isn’t quite right with him so far this year. I’m not worried yet, but I’ll feel a lot better when he’s looking like himself again. Tell you what though, Mbappe’s celebration pissed me off. Cocky little twat. You can do that in front of the Kop when you’re playing for us next year, but until then pack that shit in. Presumably that’s what Klopp said to him at full time anyway. Being pegged back to 2-2 was a massive kick in the balls but suddenly PSG realised they might actually steal the game. Draxler’s arrival gave them a spark, although that was offset by the introduction of Choupa-Mouting. How mad is that? He went from Stoke to PSG after a season in which he didn’t really do anything out of the ordinary. Must have one hell of an agent that lad. Probably the same agent who got Tommy Gravesen a move to Real Madrid. You’ve got to hand it to this team of ours though, they’ve got great spirit and a never say die attitude. To be able to pick themselves up and go and grab the winner says a lot about them. Shaqiri made a positive contribution off the bench and must be close to getting a start now. I like his enthusiasm, it’s infectious. He was involved in the winner as he won and then took the corner that ultimately led to the goal. For a second though it looked like we were going to be in real trouble as Firmino headed it straight to Mbappe who was instantly looking to counter attack. Milner put a stop to that though and before you knew it, the ball was back at Bobby’s feet and he bamboozled a couple of defenders before drilling one into the bottom corner. Cue trademark funny celebration. And of course, cue Sadio the celebration chameleon mimicking it. The win was fully deserved and keeps our 100% start intact. It also lays down an early marker in the group. Napoli away will be difficult but I’d still expect us to win. That almost goes without saying though, as there are no games I go into these days thinking we won’t win. Star man is Milner again, but I thought Wijnaldum and Robertson ran him very, very close, and Hendo was superb too. That’s why we were so dominant. Players like those who will just outwork and outfight the opposition, as well as being able to match them for ability. Everyone performed well except Mo, but he gets a pass because he never let it affect his defensive responsibilities. Sturridge deserves a mention too as it can’t be easy coming in from the cold and being asked to fill Bobby’s boots against such high quality opposition. Coming in and playing against Huddersfield is one thing, but PSG in the Champions League is difficult when you’ve hardly played so all things considered he did very well. Should have scored another couple of goals though. He missed an easy header from a glorious Trent cross and there was also a poor touch that led to him fouling the keeper and causing Mo’s ‘goal’ to be chalked off. That was probably the right decision but it shouldn’t have taken that long for the ref to make it, and just what the fuck is that official behind the goal doing? Nothing, that;s what. As usual. Said it before and I’ll say it again, they’re a complete waste of time those fuckers, they never give any decisions even when they’re right on top of it, like this one. Those misses by Sturridge could have been costly on another day but it’s hard to be too critical of him when he’s hardly played. It’s difficult for Klopp but he has to find a way to get Sturridge and Shaqiri involved more to keep them sharp. I think the key to it is for the team to be able to get that all important third goal that kills teams off. That’s been the biggest problem we’ve had so far this season. Get the third goal and things become so much easier on a number of levels. Hopefully when Mo regains his mojo we’ll start to do that again. Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah (Shaqiri), Sturridge (Firmino), Mané:

1. How boss are last minute winners at Anfield in Europe? Bobby The One-Eyed Pirate plundering the winner too. Is right. 2. That would have been a total rip off if we’d come away with fewer than all the points because we dominated them. They just could not cope with our aggression or intensity. Whether it was Cavani absolutely shitting himself in a fifty fifty with Hendo, Neymar getting smashed by Milner early on or every player in a Red shirt covering every blade of grass - twice! - it was clear they just couldn’t get near us. 3. The midfield was sensational once more. James Milner. Again. What a player. He’s just ridiculously good. And Gini once more clever in his movement and use of the ball. However, let’s give the skipper some because Henderson was brilliant. If you’re one of these internet gobshites who constantly slags the lad and you did so tonight after that performance then I can’t help you, sorry. You’re too stupid to support Liverpool. That was a master class in dominating an opponent tonight and Hendo was at its heart. 4. The pace of our back line was important tonight as we mostly kept their threat tamed. What struck me more than the speed in our defence though was their exponential progress. It’s borderline weird how good we are at the back right now. When are these lads going to stop getting better? In theory it must happen at some point, but I can’t see when because they just go from strength to strength. 5. Seeing Sturridge back and scoring a big goal was both a surprise and a pleasure. Clearly he’s no Bobby, but I heard a few people around me surprised at his quick feet, clever movement and ball retention. I’m not sure who they were watching a few seasons back when he was ripping the league a new one, but at least he’s getting the credit now. I’m not holding my breath for sustained fitness, but that doesn’t detract from my joy at seeing him score because he’s boss. Long may his fitness be retained. 6. Negatives? Mo’s sloppy passing, some poor luck with decisions and, er, that’s it. 7. Nice to see Fabinho get his debut. Was it the full minute in the end? Shaqiri looked very hungry when he came on and I'm convinced all three will be vital squad members this season. 8. Their players? Neymar was poor relative to his reputation and Mbappé was well shackled by Robbo. I thought Thiago Silva looked sublime though. One moment in the first half showed incredible reading of the game and lightening pace as he tracked Mané’s diagonal run to snuff out his threat. He’s a real footballer, him. 9. I was going to praise their fans for their constant noise because no matter what the setback, they kept bouncing. But then I realised right at the end of the first half as The Kop quietened enough for me to actually hear them that they had a drummer with them! All that money and their fans just want to be Stoke. *Shakes head* 10. I said it after the Spurs game and I’ll say it again now, we have got a really serious team on our hands now. They are hungry, aggressive, fast, skilful and obdurate and in my view there are no limits to what they can achieve under this manager. Six wins from six and the promise of much more to come. Come on you Reds!!! Paul Natton

1. Five wins from five to start a season is hugely impressive no matter which way you cut it. This was a huge win; no doubt. 2. We pretty much dominated Tottenham from start to finish, looking very much in control. However, I have to admit to feeling pretty frustrated throughout - albeit tempered by moments of real admiration for some of our players and what they are capable of doing. Then, after the game, I started reflecting on point one above and putting things into their proper context. Yes the forwards are still not fully on song and some of their decision-making is infuriating. However, even allowing for the late goal concession and penalty bullet dodged, this was a really one-sided game away from home against a side that has finished higher than us for much of the last decade. It really was a great win! 3. As the match ended I said to the lads in the TLW WhatsApp group that I thought some of the attacking players would be in for a bollocking from Klopp once they got into the dressing room. However, I quickly revised that view when I heard what he had to say, never mind when I then reflected on the work the front three had put in because they did all the things they're expected to under Klopp except take every chance - and that can never be an expectation. I think what I've been guilty of is expecting the absolute roller-coaster attacking football we produced for much of last season and when you see multiple chances - and good ones at that - go begging as they did today, it seems like a massive let down. However, it's not actually the goals that are the hallmark of what we're about under Klopp. They're just a very significant by-product. What we're really about is that controlled aggression and constant movement and pressing. And in that sense - as Klopp himself made clear - we were brilliant. 4. I think we actually need to fully recalibrate how we think of this team, because there is now a significant body of evidence that demonstrates we're a really focused, intelligent and dominant side in all areas of the game, rather than the unpredictable footballing dynamite that's just as likely to explode at the back as up front from game to game. I'm not just talking about the outdated "crap at the back" narrative here, mind; that one was volleyed out of the stadium pretty much from the moment Virgil arrived. It's more about our ability to control the game throughout, even when in moments where we're under pressure from top class opposition. For me, I think it stems from the point Klopp himself has been making from the day he walked into the place, in fairness: it takes time for his style of football to become embedded and it's actually considerably more demanding and complex than most people seem to give it credit for. There's got to be a reason why he holds most new players back and why it takes almost everyone (Mo and Virgil excepted) months to understand what he wants. Obviously this can be seen in the oft-cited examples of Robbo, Ox and now Fabinho. However, look at Gini too. The player so many Reds were singularly underwhelmed by now looks imperious in that Number 6 position. I absolutely love his strength on the ball: he doesn't ever seem to lose it when challenged. But he matches that with a highly underrated technique and ability to distribute it at the right time to the right player, too. I liked Gini pretty much from the off at Liverpool. However, to be fair to his critics, the attributes which I admired were pretty underwhelmingly employed for his first year or so. No longer though. He's a crucial member of the team who has risen to the challenge provided by the extra competition for places and he seems to get better by the week, these days. He finally broke that away goal hoodoo today - and it was a cracker, by the way; superb header - but that's not why I'm praising him. It's his all-round intelligence and ability to deliver Klopp's tactics at the highest level that now stand out and hopefully more people will give him the props he's due. 5. Speaking of overdue credit, how is it that James Milner isn't routinely described as one of the best players in English football? I mean, he is absolutely sensational! The perfect blend of intelligence, character, physicality and - yes - class. Why is it that his technique is so under appreciated? I mean, he's pretty much two-footed, has a deadly eye for a pass and can comfortably accept almost any ball even when under the most intense pressure. This was all on show when he played left back, was emphasised even more when he set a new Champions League assists record last season and is still staring us in the face this campaign as everyone seems to miss the fact that Klopp appears to be building his whole system around Milner's ability to be about five players in one during the same match. He was awesome today, once again, and I simply cannot understand why every Red in the land isn't screaming from the rooftops about his brilliance. Maybe it's the age thing and there's an expectation that there'll be a sudden and rapid decline, so his is not the basket to put your favourite player eggs into. Whatever it's about, two things are certain: he's a truly great player and if we're going to win big this season, we will need him to be available for the full campaign. 6. And while I'm warming to my great players theme, Virgil van Dijk... I think that ellipsis says it all, even though I could go on and on and on about his class, composure, intelligence and leadership here, exemplifying each trait at length. However, I'll pick one moment from today's game that absolutely took my breath away. It was about ten minutes into the second half when he just materialised as he always does to win a ball in the air. It wasn't his aerial ability, physical dominance of his opponent or preternatural reading of the game that struck me though, as I pretty much take those qualities for granted now. No, it was that he laid the ball off with a precise header to his right, onto the toe of Trent who was breaking forward into space and collected it in his stride to take us on to a dangerous counterattack. Here's the thing: it wasn't a fluke. I think Virgil might be the only centre half I have ever seen who can consistently defend and attack at the highest level in one single interaction with the ball! He is ridiculously good. You know how it seems sacrilegious to rate contemporary Liverpool players at, or even near, the top of our pantheon of greats? How it's club lore that trophy-less footballers are automatically inferior to their medal-laden forebears? Well I'm not having it. Van Dijk is the best player I've seen for Liverpool at centre half. And yes I did see all the 80s-and-beyond greats and therefore fully understand what I'm saying. Quite simply he is an unbelievable footballer. 7. So what else did I notice today? Robbo was Robbo - again. Joe G had a couple of wobbles and yet emerged unscathed, which bodes very well for his continued development in light of his inexperience in the position. Allison was fine. Bobby's eye injury looked horrible and will worry me if I let it as he's so important to us. However, I'm not letting anything take the shine off this brilliant start to the season today. So I'll worry about Bobby when the club says something to worry about. 8. I'm excited and feel fully justified in being so. However, I think this level of excitement will pale into insignificance if we can get through this next run of games undefeated, which is very much a possibility. You look at how we're playing and it's really hard to see how teams are going to beat us. We can't be ripped open on the break as we have too much pace. We can't be fluked by a parked bus counter attacking side keeping us blunted because even this half-cocked attack is still outscoring almost everyone else in the league and will hit its stride sooner or later. We can't be out-fought because - d'uh - aggression is our thing. And we can't be done on set pieces because that door was slammed shut when Virgil arrived and now Allison looks like he's padlocked it. No, we're looking like a really serious title contending team right now and I think this challenge we're embarking upon will be proven to be the real deal. 9. So PSG on Tuesday with Neymar and Mbappe. That'll be a test... for them. I hope they're ready because they're coming to Anfield and we're Liverpool. Shit just got real. Come on you Reds!!! Paul Natton