AFTER Liverpool thrashed Hull City 5-1 at Anfield yesterday, we asked Anfield Wrap contributors to send us their thoughts on anything that jumped out from the game. As ever, the replies were a mad mix of the weird and the wonderful. Here’s what we got:
1. SWARM TO BE A SCOUSE – VICTORIOUS ARE WE
The way we swarmed all over them right from the first whistle was unbelievable. They wet themselves and we had it won just with the attitude we went onto the pitch with. “Show them the way to go home” after 35 shows how relentless it was.
Every single outfield player we have now looks a genuine goal threat as well. Boss. @Danny_Austin14
The Reds are relentless. They swarm. They don’t care how you’ve set up to play. Taking quick corners, 4-1 up. Subs come on and make an instant impact.They’re making us fall in love with each and every one of them. @C_Hannan7
2. A LIVERBIRD UPON MY CHEST
The team that plays the Liverpool way. And wins the championship in May. We all heard it. It was just a notion. Just a suggestion. But it’s happening. It’s fucking happening, lids. @RobGutmann
3. BLOODY BURNLEY
Can I mention that fucking away game we shouldn’t have had against Burnley again? Carillion Fuckwits! Gonna be like that Gerrard free kick against Stoke in 2008-09 that should have stood but ended up costing us the league. @chrismaguire73
4. WHAT YOU GIVE IS WHAT YOU GET
These high tempo, high intensity starts are a beautiful thing to behold. Leicester, Chelsea, even Tottenham, now Hull. All very February 2014. The game was won by half time. It’s got to be a good sign when you end up a bit disappointed that we’ve only scored five.
Bet they’re gagging for a clean sheet though. The time will come this season when the goals dry up and we’ll have to win ugly. That’s when we’ll see if we’ve got enough to challenge for the title. Signs are we’re turning into a really good team, though. And can get better. @66zimbo
5. NO LABOURING ON THE LEFT
Never had Milner down as the best left back in the world, either, but we are where we are. @66zimbo
6. GLORY ON THE FIELDS OF ANFIELD ROAD
An honourable mention for the singing in the annie rd lower. Been ages since I’ve been in there. They only knew the hits but the effort was there. @whichdave
7. WE GOT HIGH
Looking back at the game, Liverpool are so advanced even before Hull go down to ten men. They make getting out impossible, Hull are completely penned in. Instinctively there is the feeling escape should be possible. Liverpool have so many men advanced. But it isn’t and so the game belongs entirely to the Reds. @Knox_Harrington
8. THE MANAGERIAL SUAREZ
Loved the bit when Klopp bollocked the crowd. Again. He’s a maniac. I’m so bloody glad he’s our maniac. He’s like the managerial Suarez without the biting. @Adam_Smith_82
9. THE TEAM IS THE STAR – AGAIN…
Hard to pick out individuals from such a complete team performance. The team is becoming the star every week under Klopp. He hasn’t just brought tactics and personality — he’s established a cultural shift throughout the club that is difficult to quantify but so easy to see. On the pitch we are putting teams in a vice and squeezing until they break. And everyone breaks at some point — take note Manchester City. We are coming for you. @stuwright78
10. CLEVER KLAVAN A STEAL, I FEEL
Ragnar Klavan seems like an absolute steal at £4million. I know he’s 30 but he’s so composed for the most part, if you forget about his failed back pass when he wouldn’t use his right foot. Wins most of the duels he’s in and not afraid to get stuck in. A much safer option than Lovren in that he doesn’t just dive in, he’s smarter. Wouldn’t mind seeing more of him and Matip. Particularly after Sakho’s poorly-timed antics. @jsexton24
One of the most enduring images of the match was the sight of a Hull player suddenly have the ball land at his feet in plenty of space. Quite literally, 5-6 players immediately swarm around the poor bugger as a viciously closing circle of red. Seemed to rise to the level of metaphor in the irrevocability of its outcome. Brutal, to be sure, in the way of watching a documentary on the predatory strategies of animals hunting in a pack. A certain level of pity for the prey, but coupled with the understanding that it is all part of the cycles of life.
Up the predatory Reds.
Great comment :)
I thought it was hilarious when Hull scored & one of there’s lit an orange flare in the away end, only for us to go straight up the other end and score. I half expected him to stuff it back in his bag out of embarrassment
Love it when a plan comes together!!
Milner – watch him use his left nearly as much as his right. Deadly having him there and what he brings.
Good to see Klaven trusted enough to come back in- Lovren being ill. Seems retrained after his 2 Burnley blunders but I’d still keep him as cover for Lucas who’s cover for Matip / Lovren partnership that’s really growing well.
Just like The Harlem Globetrotters.
I bloody love it when Jurgen tells me off! Sorry sir, yes sir, whatever you say sir…
Sidenote- I’m really surprised a song hasn’t been made about klopp telling us not to sing his name?! Instantly when the story broke, I thought of “Jurgen, can we sing? Jurgen Jurgen can we sing?” I thought it was a bit obvious and lame, but as nothing else has come forward, I volunteer that one! :D
With klavan’s failed backpass, i actually think it was indecision, not footedness that caused that. The hull player did well to make him think twice, the way he positioned himself. Klavan dithered for one moment, and it caused a minor panic. Anyway, these are minor details!
Hate going in anfield Rd, but glad to hear they performed well! My first experience of the main stand was great :)
Well I can come up with one here goes- Jurgen let us sing, Jurden let us shout, Jurgen we are Liverpool it’s what we’re all about. Just needs a tune. YNWA.