TWO home games where the away side park the bus sees a 6-0 aggregate win with plenty to spare. Not least two penalty misses. This side must be doing something right. Regardless of the opposition.
Everything isn’t all rosy in the garden yet, but winning is more fun than not. Some scores:
Loris Karius: 6
Almost seems silly to rate him. Stopped one fizzing shot. I wonder if he’d have liked more to do?
Trent Alexander Arnold: 8
Gorgeous cross for the opener. I love him, you know. I’ve seen him score a penalty too…
Joel Matip: 7
Fine.
Ragnar Klavan: 7
Fine. Did that mad spin again. What a showman.
Alberto Moreno: 8
I have something to declare. My name is John Gibbons and I like Alberto Moreno. He’s officially having a good season. I’m calling it.
Emre Can: 8
Seemed a bit happier pushed on, but maybe the change happened too soon to judge. Scores a belter through the knowledge of the importance of hitting it early.
Gini Wjinaldum: N/A
Get well soon, gorgeous.
James Milner: 7
Not a classic night, without doing a lot wrong. I’m staggered if he’s starting games for Liverpool in 12 months time, but useful in the here and now.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain: 7
I like him, and he showed some nice touches. I just wish he’d demand the ball more. But he’s getting there.
Mohamed Salah: 8
I remember once a friend said to me “imagine Maxi Rodriguez had pace” to which I pointed out that if he did we probably wouldn’t have got him on a free from Atletico Madrid. Let’s remember when we wish Mo Salah didn’t miss chances we are basically asking for Lionel Messi.
He’s still our top scorer. He’s still boss. And his first touch is ridiculous.
Roberto Firmino: 8
Sent that lad for the Echo for the penalty. Just a really nice footballer.
SUBS
Jordan Henderson: 7
Fine.
Daniel Sturridge: 7
Make that 101. Fingers crossed this is a little run. Looks very comfortable with himself at the moment. Obviously still buzzing from meeting The Anfield Wrap’s Craig Hannan on Monday.
Marko Grujic: N/A
I’m pretty sure he came on.
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Getting really wound up about the fact Matip can’t head the ball towards the goal.
It’s doing everyones head in. It’s a psychological thing like most our problems! Terrified of succeeding?
It’s weird. The lads who get to Liverpool are the absolute cream of the bunch. It’s not like there’s a whole lot more to achieve above us. Relatively speaking. Surely, to get this far up the footie ladder, you’ve had to have shown superb strength in mentality amongst other things? Surely all our lads are born winners? How else would you get this far?
So how come that intrinsic mentality starts to show cracks once you get to the top? Is the dominance hierarchy that ensues once a player makes it to the peak a whole new kind of challenge? Unlike any of the hurdles they hopped over and competition they destroyed during their development years? The amount of which was IMMENSE. There’s about 500 million serious footballers in the world. Maybe it is. Maybe it’s a whole new ball game.
I’m making moutains out of molehills here. I’m sure Matip not scoring headers is just down to bad luck and the statistics will even out. Maybe he has a resilient and painful pimple on his forehead. But it’s an interesting subject.
Matip can’t head a ball anywhere! Still wasteful up front, but very much job done.
How you didn’t give Klavan a 10 just for the turn i’ll never know. Move over Cruyff turn, years from now kids will be trying to perfect ‘the Klavan turn’ (working title. also considering: the Estonian shuffle, Ragnar the world, 180° fakie, The Ragnorok, Legs shoulders turn and go)
Salah ball control is like he’s plucking it off a canvas with his foothand.
That cross from Albie Moreno, where Salah headed just over was worth a 10 alone! Even if he had done nothing (which, thankfully he didn’t) the rest of the game. About the most perfect cross-in I can remember ever seeing. Perfection.