Mid week matches are not the best, but I didn’t see Liverpool in too long to complain about something like that.
The best eleven starts, and we’re playing on Anfield. Altough it’s empty, huge banners look good, and add to the experience. Not a lot of ‘white noise’ too, or maybe I’m getting used to it?
I really missed seeing Robbo burn the left flank. He looks so good, as if he didn’t sit at home for all this time and kept running and running. His bursts of pace and pressing are very helpful. Joe Gomez fared weel as left back last time, but nobody takes that spot away from Andy when he’s allowed to go. Very glad to see Joe and Virg back together, altough Gomez had one blip where Meyer had too much time to create a decent shot. That german came in for Zaha, who picked up an early injury. Hamstring probably?
The opening came from a dead ball position, as Trent left his Everton misses behind him and curled the ball right into the corner. Amazing goal, and it was a relief to see us get the first blood. TAA getting the first COVID-era goal is also nice… Van Dijk got the assist for picking up that free kick, so huge success for my fantasy team. Actually, it’s a disgrace, I forgot about the deadlines.
Gini had two-three good chances to score, and had to convert at least one of them, Hendo was also unlucky not to blast a rebound in the net when it was still 1-0. Fabinho started and fared much-much better than in his stuggle with Everton, and dished out a nice assist to Mo, who easily punished van Aanholt and doubled the lead. Calm as you like, ez pz.
Bobby had a chance in the middle of the half, but his shot was too weak. We had all the chances to lead 3-0 into half time, as Cahill’s hand play in the box went unnoticed.
Total domination continued into the second half. Crystal Palace had absolutely no chances with our posession, and they didn’t press Fab hard enough, allowing him to bury a thunderbolt into the net. Very similar to his goal against Man City! I thought he would be an undisputed #1 contender on the MotM award, but then Mo cut out an incredibly precise one touch pass to Sadio, who made it 4-0.
Rotation kikced in, and LFC got to see Neco Williams in action. For as little as he played, he impressed a lot. Nice in pressing and tackles, he also created good chances and had some shots. Another youngster Harvey Elliott wanted to notch up something for a highlight reel collection, but I only remember his two corner attempts – woefully bad ones. The ball didn’t even cross the first man, so yeah… Takumi got his five minutes, and he starts to worry me a bit. I am still behind him, and want him to succeed, but he needs to work on his physique a lot.
Overall, it was a perfect match with a perfect result. Good goals, no injuries, some new faces, and good old Roy rubbing one of his chins, wondering what should he get for the dinner. 3 points, only 1 point away from the long-awaited title. If Chelsea holds City to a draw or beats them, Liverpool will be champions before their match with City.
Whatever the future may hold, this was great.
Blodyxe Blog 