As controlled a performance at home as we could wish for. Game over by half time, players rested, Salah gets the goal he needed, a clean sheet, and at times it looked like a practice match.
Shaqiri looks like just the player we needed - someone who can play anywhere across the front 3, or just behind the strikers in a roaming role - getting into those spaces between midfield and attack, getting wide, stretching the play, and finding a way through the parked buses. His substitution was nothing other than a case of 'job done', and we changed it up to control the game to the end.
The numbers get better each time you read them. 6 wins from 6 (or 7 from 7 in all competitions), 8 clean sheets on the bounce at Anfield, unbeaten at home since April 2017, 14 goals scored in the league and only 2 conceded. We have individuals having excellent games even though the team is still not fully firing yet, a bench that we could only have dreamed of a few years ago, a bit of rotation to keep the squad fresh, and no worrying injuries so far. We are also restricting the opposition to very few chances and its increasingly difficult to bypass our midfield and defence, with Alisson barely involved for large periods.
It really feels like each week we're witnessing the culmination of all of Klopp and his team's hard graft, coupled with intelligent use of transfer funds, and a highly motivated group of players with talent, determination and team spirit in abundance. Its not even October, yet already big teams have been controlled and beaten, smaller teams outplayed in every part of the pitch, games have been won without playing well, we've held onto leads and managed games, and scored late goals. Its like we've had every type of win so far this season already, and all of this without Fabinho, Lallana, the Ox, and several more quality players in reserve.
Now that Chelsea have dropped points we're top of the league and the early pacesetters, and for the first time in a very long time I have every confidence we can stay the distance this time around. We are no longer reliant on a Gerrard, a Torres, or a Suarez to dig us out of trouble or win a game single handed, nor do we need to score 3-4 goals to win each game. There is quality everywhere you look, no weak links, no passengers, and a strong bench ready and willing when called upon. My heart and fingernails have never been in better shape, and you just sense this time its the real deal - not a false dawn, not seeing things through rose tinted spectacles, and not desparation.
Bring on your Chelsea's, bring on your City's, and give us anyone you like in the cups. We are coming up the hill and this time we're not stopping for anyone.
