Good point. You can count me as one of those who was thinking 'don't shoot, don't shoot' moments before screaming the house down. What a goal from Sturridge. He looks hungry, fit and still has his sheer quality. Think his lightning pace is a thing of the past now. Still, crossing fingers over fitness, he's putting real pressure on our attack for more regular minutes and starts now.
I think that's the best game of football I've seen yet this season, and probably since our home game against City last year. A few words on Chelsea. I was hugely impressed with them today. Agree with a lot of the people saying that Hazard is their main main - they'll struggle if they were to lose him for any significant period of time. Willian was excellent as well though, and I thought Jorginho was superb. They're the only team I've seen in the last 12-18 months who've successfully played around and through our press from the first minute. I was licking my lips when they were consistently playing out from their goal kicks, but don't recall once when we profited. I can't remember once that Jorginho was caught on the ball, or mis-placed/under/overhit a pass. As we've seen, when you're faced with the intensity and intelligence of our counter pressing, that takes some doing. Their centre-backs were excellent throughout as well.
I thought we showed that we're an excellent side, and one that's going to fight for every second for every inch, ball, tackle, header, sprint, goal and point this season. Allisson was excellent on the two occasions he was faced with one on ones, and although it's probably fair to ask questions over the goal, I wouldn't be holding much against him. We're talking minute details, a split second too late to set himself, an inch or two out on positioning, a split second too late to go down. Other than that though, what did he have to do? Essentially, nothing, and that was down to another immense set of performances from Gomez, Van Dijk and Wijnaldum ahead of them. Van Dijk is the best centre half in the league by a country mile. I've waxed lyrical about him so much now that I feel the words are losing weight. He's simply impeccable. Gomez was awesome as well. The speed we have in central defence is insane. Clearly showed when they both recovered to shoulder challenge (Gomez) and then nick the ball away (Van Dijk) when I think Hazard? was clean through. With these two playing, we're always in with a shout of winning.
Wijnaldum was the stand out midfielder again. Superbly protected the ball, won most if not all of his duels and offered a real threat running forward from midfield. There were a couple of lovely interchanges with Mo during the first half too. You can add another one to his list of huge performances in big games. Milner was battling and running throughout and was popping up literally everywhere, left back, left wing, right back, right wing, 6, 8, 10. Utter workhorse and a proper leader on that pitch. Which brings me on to Henderson. I thought he was good. Until he wasn't, but even then, he wasn't as bad as some have, are and will make out. Worked his nuts off, kept the ball in some really tight areas under big pressure, and was always a support option for those in-front of him. All that said, his limitations are clear to see. Struggles at times to take up the right positions to help us build play, and is limited in terms of turning and progressive one touch passes forward and through the lines. I said after the Champions league final that one of Milner and Henderson is fine, but I don't like both as I don't think we get enough guile, skill, creativity - call it what you want - from the two of them. Keita showed a couple of glimpses when he came on of what we'd missed in the middle before, able to play forwards incisively, run past a player or two, turn, support attacks, and shoot. He did well in patches in midweek too, I don't think it will be too long until he's back starting games for us.
Similarly to Henderson, I feel too many are making too much over the form of the front three. Their performances today have to be measured against the quality of opposition. Firmino was consistently closed down and denied space, but still managed to put Salah through on goal in the first half, had a good header cleared off the line and put in a tremendous shift. Salah may have been wasteful with his chances, and guilty of over hitting passes, scuffing shots and not always taking the best touches, but, he's still getting in exactly the same positions as last season, two chances centrally from around 18 yards, one in which he did superbly to hold off the challenge from Jorginho and beat his man, before hitting high and wide. He had the aforementioned one on one with the keeper in which he did everything right, and offered a huge threat with his pace and running. At times, he was unplayable. Also, worked very hard defensively. The goals will come. Maybe it needs a chat with Jurgen, or just one worldie to fly in, or maybe to be dropped for a game or two. I'm genuinely unconcerned though. Still convinced he'll hit around 30 in all comps at least. Mane was quiet, but, like the other two worked hard. Took a great yellow for the team and ripped some of Hazard off in the process and nearly gets the equaliser after more hard work from Bobby put him in. The speed of feet to beat his men and then force a very good save from their unpronounceable goalkeeper was elite.
Thought both Robertson and Trent had tough games defending two of the best wide players in Europe, but fought like motherfuckers and weren't in any way humiliated. Trent played some superb passes into Salah and others in that inside right half space, first half especially, and Robbo puts an equaliser on the plate for Shaqiri.
The substitutions from Klopp were aggressive, perfectly timed and could have lead to the equaliser from that Shaqiri chance prior to Sturridge's wonder goal. Point to note, that's an assist from sub 1 for sub 2 to score as well.
On an aside, it's nice to see a two games back to back between two competitors with such mutual respect between the managers. Such a contrast to that fucking shit c*nt in charge of United.
Almost depressing to come on here and see the same shit c*nts on this board giving the same shit feedback when we fail to win our first league game of the season away at an un-beaten Chelsea having restricted them to two first shots of note on target, a couple of breakaways in the second, while creating numerous good chances, and numerous opportunities to create other good chances. I say almost. It's not, because it's the same old posters, year after year. If it's not, it's some bell with 12 posts to his name who turns his stream off before the end of the game because "fuck it" and then lies about it moments later. Literally no point listening or giving any credence to their points. They're without nuance, insight, patience, knowledge or support.
We're joint top of the league. We've been to Spurs, Palace and Leicester and won. Three very tough aways, especially when you consider that Palace game was their first home of the season, on a Monday, live on the box. We've destroyed West Ham and been more than worthy for the three points in every game we've won. There's a strong argument that we could have won on both Wednesday and today versus a very good Chelsea team too. Are we at our maximum level? No. Do I doubt that we'll improve? No. Will there be setbacks, poor results and performances? Yes. Hugely important for us to stick behind everyone when that happens.
There are questions and issues to solve, no doubt. Improving our ruthlessness infront of goal and technical ability when building attacks in midfield. The quality we're showing week in week out though means these are pretty minor issues at the moment. I've just seen a tremendous game of tactical intelligence and technical quality and we were every bit as good as them today, maybe even edged it.
Onwards Reds, you're shit hot.
