THE first four of Liverpool’s goals are finished from inside the six-yard box. There’s an avalanche of caveats that can be applied to a result such as this one but the most pleasing aspect, the one which rises above all of those caveats, is the fact that those four goals are scored from inside the six-yard box. The fifth is a brilliant finish from Daniel Sturridge well worked from 14 yards out.
Liverpool showed that combination of patience and penetration which characterises all the best sides. They never forced it but it always came.
That’s the contrast from the weekend. On Saturday, Liverpool showed blunt patience punctuated by smashed efforts from distance. It’s the core reason to be cheerful. Five goals, but five goals which could just be found to mean something.
You wonder if Burton and Nigel Clough took one look at the team sheet and started to wonder about their game on Friday against Derby. Or if they wondered that at half time. Burton want to play football which is one of those caveats. The question marks around this Liverpool side could well persist against those who come not to play.
Sadio Mane has come to play. It’s another remarkably impressive performance.
His ability to stand a footballer up and then beat him is more impressive than his raw pace over 20 yards. He will need doubling — even tripling — up on by almost any opponent if he keeps this going. He will have opposing managers up nights and will have opposing full backs up the wall.
Elsewhere, it was lovely to see Jordan Henderson passing forwards. Kicking the ball progressively. In general it was good to see The Reds go outside to arrive in, rather than all trying to play inside. They didn’t get themselves jammed up. It’s the distinction between being there and arriving. In football, movement makes things happen and Liverpool’s movement around the penalty area had come on leaps and bounds.
Roberto Firmino was one who looked better served outside to in. The game was easier for him — and easier for him to show what he is good at. Divock Origi was bright and Emre Can liberated them. Joel Matip looks like a gazelle. You want more? Well he will have to play more.
The marker of the season so far though isn’t how good Mane is. Nor what Firmino does. It is Nathaniel Clyne’s delivery from out wide. It has been exceptional and looks something worked on — either the delivery itself or getting him in those areas with time to pick his head up and options to pick out.
The Reds have now scored nine in three, conceded five in the same three. They’ve exploded and self-detonated. They’ve scored tap ins and blammed in from 30 yards. They’ve given soft penalties away and lost their men.
It’s going to be a laugh, I reckon. We’re going to have a cry, I reckon.
The Reds. Breaking and lifting your heart.
All the best.
Spurs next. Into these. Let’s go, Liverpool.
- Listen To Our Post-Match Reaction Podcast – The Pink. Available To Subscribers to TAW Player.
- Read — Match Ratings: Burton Albion 0 Liverpool 5
Hi Neil, thanks for the post-match review. Good observation and point regarding Clyne’s delivery. It seems like there were more crosses in this game than the entire last season. I hope the injuries weren’t anything too difficult to recover from, for this weekend.
Mane is wonderful to watch. Just need that type of aggression from the rest of the lads. Wish we had two or three of him. Still not convinced by Winaljdum, Lallana or Henderson, but if they take it to each team every game like Mane, I will be their biggest fan.
To me it doesn’t matter whether the opposition fielded a weak or tough line, it is how we respond that matters. Good work Klopp. He’s working things out slowly, but surely.
Let’s not lose sight of our heads or the next game. Spurs will be prepared for a fight.
Up the reds!
Whats Lallana doing that doesn’t convince you? Or rather what isn’t he doing? I really enjoy him do his thing, namely turns and get his head up in this ‘new’ central position. His skill-set is much better applied there, and the team benefits from Adam having players in front of him, as well as to the sides. He has options. Like Josh said in his review, he does hold onto the ball sometimes for a bit too long. Then again, not the only Red guilty of that in recent times.
Wijnaldum is still a bit of a mystery, but remember how early it is in the season. Many weren’t convinced by Emre Can when the previous manager had him in at CB and RB. Starting games out of position for Liverpool at the tender age of 20. But he stuck with him. Emre stuck with it. Now, he – along with Lallana – are some of the first names on the team sheet when fit. Im not sure Klopp knows Wijnaldum’s best position, yet. Gini needs to find his place in the squad and the pitch, similarly to Emre. Battle through the initial doubts he might have, not in his ability, but in the practicalities of what he is being asked to do on the pitch. He is clearly part of a much more talented bunch of lads at Melwood than he was up North. He needs build up confidence that he can actually get stuck in with these Reds, remember he was ultimately part of a relegated team last season. It will come.
Jordan. He does bring energy to the midfield, no doubt. And mobility, at least last night. However, from what I could see via the TV last night, Emre was the one doing the talking and organising when we were defending a corner or set piece. Not the captain. Hendos passing is decent, and thats part of the problem of recent. Certainly was over the weekend. His passing used to spot-on. Cross-field balls and the lot. Maybe hes just rusty. Lets hope so. I reckon Jurgen hopes so as well, just so he doesn’t ‘need’ to go into the transfer market. Seems to paradoxically dread it the boss.
Hi Alex, you’ve made some interesting points about all three players.
Since you expressed patience, then Wijnaldum out of the three, is whom I may need to have the most patience for since he is new to the team.
Jordan and Lallana have had three seasons with the Reds so far, so need to be seeing some end product for all the basics, i.e., running, shooting, passing and dribbling these two are lauded for, as well as consistency in matches against all teams. Mane is an example from last night. They are all paid to play, and well-paid I might add, so no excuses other than sickness or injury.
I don’t know what Klopp is thinking or knows – my guess is as good as yours – but his team selection states he knows more about football, and far better, than me, as I can only speculate and watch the results on the pitch.
Anyways we have Spurs and many more games coming up, so plenty of chances for these three and the team to prove what you and others have been talking about.
Looking forward to watching the progress with the Reds.
Nailed it with this, Niel:
“The question marks around this Liverpool side could well persist against those who come not to play.”
Fantastic to see the Premier League has its first £100m player.
He only cost a third of that though.
He plays for The Reds as you know.
His name…
Sadio Mane of course :-D
I just dont think our left back situation Is acceptable; Milner although rarely tested last night, did look out of sorts and bemused at times. A HARDER OPPOSITION WILL TEST THIS WEAKNESS FURTHER. Y.N.W.A
Mane, bargain of the window already,
Hard to believe some people were pissed we signed him because he arrived from Southampton,
Different team when he’s on the pitch, scares the be jaysus out of all and sundry.