Liverpool 5 Hull 1: Liverpool ease past Hull, but a clean sheet frustratingly awaits

An impressive start to the season with victories over three top sides and a draw against another, but confidence coming into our second home game wasn’t total with the loss away to Burnley creating a fear factor of losing against sides in the lower half of the division which would expect dispatch, which had so undermined the 2015-16 campaign.

That being said there was never any chance of Hull fashioning a win in front of the Anfield faithful with Klopp’s side dominating from start to finish with Roberto Firmino returning to League action and Klavan coming in for Lovren reported ill.  Loris Karius came in for his first Premier League start for the much vilified Simon Mignolet.

To say Liverpool were barely out of first gear would not be giving enough credit to our pressing which pinned Hull back in their own half for almost the entire match.  Hull were so pressurised it often elicited hurried clearances out of bounds or returning possession straight back to Liverpool.  The 5-1 score line flattered Hull. It should have been ten or more Liverpool dominance new no bounds with the Coutinho, Mane, Firmino and Lallana in the ascendance.

Matip leaping high among the challenges met an early corner close in only to see his effort flash over.  Liverpool were rampant, coming forward in wave upon wave and again spurned a chance to lead with Lallana finding Mane on the right and he adroitly found Coutinho in the six-yard box.  The Brazilian in a rich vein of form failed to get hold of his shot allowing Elmohamady time to clear of the line with the goal at his mercy.

Hull were being penned in on the edge of the area and the first goal seemed inevitable, it was just a case of and when.  It was soon to come and when it arrived it was the trade mark fluent football that is becoming the embodiment of Klopp’s team.  Coutinho, picking up the ball on the left drifted past two defenders, as he has a penchant for doing, before finding the arriving Adam Lallana whose scuffed shot found its way into the corner of the net for his third League goal of the season.

Liverpool were pouring forward at will and the interchange upfront continued as Firmino and Lallana linked up down the right with the goal scorer floating the ball to the back post for the impressive Milner only for Snodgrass to head out for a corner.

The devastation Hull were undertaking was almost one-way traffic and just before the half hour mark another scintillating move resulted in Mane cutting the ball back for Coutinho.  His shot unerringly homing in on goal was blocked by Elmohamady with his arm, leaving referee Andre Marriner little option to point to the spot and to dismiss the defender.  Hull were down to ten men for the second successive game.

Milner stroked home Liverpool’s second of the match and his second of the season.

If there had been chants of easy, easy from the home crowd it would not been out of place, because it was.  Mane’s shot from just outside the area deflected of Mason looping over keeper Marshall before clipping the bar.  The same player then blazed a shot over from inside the area.

Mane may have been using the two previous attempts to get his eye in as he was soon on target in no uncertain manner.  Lallana, loitering with intent on the left side of the area, produced his copy of Cruyff’s trademark turn before finding Mane.  With the attacker given enough time to assess the situation he was allowed to turn and fire into the bottom corner to all but end Hull’s challenge.

Georginio Wijnaldum saw a drive parried away by Marshall and was another who spurned a chance to get himself underway in the scoring charts volleying straight at the keeper from close range.  Wijnaldum also saw a goal bound header well saved by Marshall as half-time approached.

It seems almost churlish to criticise, but with a lethal striker upfront like Sturridge particularly in home games Liverpool could well have been five-up.  But, the flipside of that equation is the argument that the pressure exerted over teams specifically the pressing of the front five is not helped by having Sturridge in the team.  Who’d be a manager?

Unbelievably or believably if you watch Liverpool enough, five minutes into the second-half they gifted Hull an avenue back into the game.  From a corner on the right, Hull’s first, the ball dropped down from the first challenge and even with all our outfield players back in defence, we failed to react to second phase ball which Meyler slammed home with relish.

Klopp couldn’t hide his disappointment for the rest of the game because if Liverpool were going to have a clean sheet in a League game then this was it.

Any hopes Hull had of an unlikely comeback was snuffed out in seconds.

Coutinho, receiving the ball slightly to the left dropped his shoulder to leave the defender floundering, before releasing his hallmark of quality, his curling right foot finish high into top corner.  Normal service had been resumed and how.

Jurgen Klopp saw wise to give Sturridge a run out after 69 minutes for Lallana and less than a minute later his dancing feet caused Robertson consternation to mistime his tackle and give James Milner another opportunity from the penalty spot which he accepted with alacrity, shooting to Marshall’s left and under his diving body.

With Liverpool happy not to raise the intensity too much after the Milner’s second, Klopp used the final 16 minutes to introduce Can and Grujic into the action for Coutinho and Henderson, respectively.

As the game moved to a close, Daniel Sturridge controlled a ball fired into him in an instance, ghosting past a defender before being closed down at the last as a sixth goal seemed imminent.  In brief moment, his class shone like Venus the brightest planet in the night sky.

We were well worth the win and if we could only rid ourselves of the sudden lapses in concentration, which at the moment are prone to happen at least once a game, then there is no end to the damage this team could inflict.

Man of the match:  Philippe Coutinho – instrumental in many of the creative moments of the first half and should have broken the deadlock when he failed to get decent purchase on his shot from close in.  Made up for it in the second-half with a stunning strike from 20 yards.

Adam Lallana is growing by the week scoring his third goal of season and assisting for Mane’s goal with a majestic turn and pass.

Liverpool’s propensity to give away at least a goal a game was disappointing, especially in a game where there was very little goal threat from the opposition.  Moreover, it’s the lack of concentration which cost us a win over Spurs which to my mind was more disappointing than the Burnley loss where we failed to fire in front of goal and something we must eradicate or sooner or later it will lose us a match.  It was also poor for Karius. On his first League start he barely had anything to do, but pick the ball out of the net.

Teams:

Liverpool: 1 Karius, 2 Clyne, 32 Matip, 17 Klavan, 7 Milner, 20 Lallana (Sturridge - 69 mins), 14 Henderson (Can – 74 mins), 5 Wijnaldum, 19 Mane, 11 Firmino, 10 Coutinho (Grujic – 74 mins)

Subs: 15 Sturridge, 16 Grujic, 18 Moreno, 21 Lucas, 22 Mignolet, 22 Lucas, 23 Can, 27 Origi

Hull: 23 Marshall, 27 Elmohamady, 14 Livermore, 6 Davies, 3 Robertson, 10 Snodgrass, 8 Huddlestone (Maguire – 45 mins), 11 Clucas, 25 Mason – Henriksen – 73 mins), 20 Dionmande (Meyler – 33 mins), Hernandez

Subs: Maguire, 7 Meyler, 15 Maloney, 16 Jukupovic, 18 Mbokani Bezua, 19 Keane, 22 Henriksen

Referee: Andre Marriner

Attendance: 53,109

Derby 0 Liverpool 3: Liverpool coast through serenely

On the face of it this was going to be a stroll in the park with Derby suffering injuries to key plays and playing with a lack of confidence and that is exactly what it was with Klopp’s charges sauntering through the 90 minutes very much as they liked.

Seven changes from the team which overpowered Chelsea last Friday, with most interest in former Mainz 05 keeper Larius Karius and Serbian International Marko Grujić making their first team debuts.  Ovie Ejaria named on the bench for the second successive game would also make his first team debut late on.  Emre Can made a welcome return to the match day squad on the bench.

Changes a plenty, but still enough talent on the pitch to take no prisoners.  Coutinho and Firmino the creative influences in the team with Divock Origi ahead of them and Henderson joined in the midfield engine room by Lucas as well as Grujic.  While losing wouldn’t break our season, progressing further certainly had its benefits to those on the fringes with the offer of further games and the prospect of silverware could not be overlooked.

Liverpool started as if continuance of the feel good factor from the Chelsea victory was the order of the day.  A flashing volley by Henderson, full of confidence after his spectacular winner in the same game, went just over.  Firmino, looking to get in on the spectacular goals act grazed the bar from fully 25 yards.

The control Liverpool had on the game was total with Coutinho drifting anywhere and everywhere.  The dazzling playmaker was soon to play a part in the opening goal.  His corner, whipped in from the left was sliced by Keogh in an attempt at a clearance only for Klavan to turn the ball home from close range for his first goal for Liverpool.

It was nothing more than we deserved and there was almost more with Origi continuing Keogh’s nightmare turning him inside out before Mitchell saved his blushes at his near post.  Matip could and should have made it two heading over from a corner.

Before the break drives from Origi and Henderson kept Mitchell busy.

The only problem for Liverpool with our total dominance was guarding against wavering concentration and a case in point with Henderson losing possession to Johnson, who in turn put Bent on the chase.  Karius, taking a higher starting position than one is used to from Mignolet snuffed out the danger tearing out of his area to clear.

If the Derby players received a flea in their ears from manager Nigel Pearson, it was not outwardly visible even with former Red Tom Ince entering the fray, as normal service was quickly resumed in the second-half.

Four minutes into the second-half Derby’s challenge was as good as over.  The goal made in Brazil was majestic in its simplicity.  Coutinho picking the ball up 30 yards out played the ball into Firminho who returned the compliment for the longest of one-twos as Liverpool’s number ten simply waltzed into the area unchallenged as if dancing to the tune of Gilbeto Gil’s Toda Menina Baiana before tucking the ball into the corner.  So easy, but yet so smooth.

It was beginning to look like a training match with Derby doing a passable imitation of Sony Liston against Muhammed Ali, unable to lay a glove on Liverpool who guided by its Latino talents were certainly floating away from challenges and stinging like a bee in the final third.

Coutinho again involved, found Origi running ahead of him before the Belgian in a fashion similar to his opening goal in last season’s League Cup tie against Southampton crashed the ball high into the net for his fourth goal in his 6 League Cup starts.

Klopp seizing the opportunity replaced Henderson with Can and almost immediately the substitute showed his quality finding Coutinho at the back post to knock the ball down a cushioned volleyed pass into the path of Firmino.  Unbelievably from six yards Mitchell pulled a remarkable one handed save to somehow project the ball over the bar.  It was Coutinho last meaningful contribution before leaving the pitch to standing ovation to be replaced by Danny Ings.

Karius, who hadn’t much to do for the most of the match then fluffed his lines. Hurtling off his line the former German under-21 International got nowhere near an intended punch and was lucky to see Keogh’s header fall wide of the post.

The game was tapering off as the intensity dissipated, as such Klopp took the opportunity to blood young midfielder Ovie Ejaria.  It was the last eventful moment of a very comfortable evening that will hopefully set us up for the next game at home to Hull.

Man of the match:  Philippe Coutinho – Didn’t need to delve deep into his box of tricks, but what he had on offer was easily too much for Derby.  Was involved in all three goals.  Instigated and finished Liverpool’s second goal and his short pass to put Origi had the touch of a surgeon general about it.  The best player on the pitch closely followed by Firmino.

The link play between the two is almost telepathic and it’s very obvious they enjoy play together.  With Lallana and Mane available to play in the roles behind the striker, Klopp has an abundance of riches.

Good to see Liverpool finally have a clean sheet, albeit in a game where they were very rarely threatened.  But, that was partly down to the fact we stymied their ability to create in midfield with Henderson, Lucas and Grujic on cruise control in central areas.  Klopp touched on Grujic’s game management and the player looks capable of developing into a strong player as he possesses lovely touches and good positional sense.

Liverpool’s game against Hull which they are expected to win is important for impetus sake and this victory will only help to build confidence and competition for places.

Team:

Derby -  35 Jonathan Mitchell, 2 Cyrus Christie, 6 Richard Keogh, 16 Ales Pearce, 29, Marcus Olsson, 12 Chris Baird, 18 Jacob Butterfield, 19 Will Hughes, 24 Andreas Weimann, 11 Darren Bent

Subs: 32 Chris Weale, 10 Tom Ince, 20 Abdoul Camera, 22 Nick Blackman, 25 Max Love, 30 Tim Max Elsnik, 31 Farrend Rawson

Liverpool – 1 Loris Karius, 2 Nathaniel Clyne, 32 Joel Matip, 17 Ragnar Klavan, 18 Albert Moreno, 14 Jordan Henderson, 10 Philippe Coutinho, 21 Lucas Leiva, 11 Roberto Firmino, 27 Divock Origi, 16 Marko Grujic

Subs: 6 Dejan Lovren, 7 James Milner, 19 Sadio Mane, 22 Simon Mignolet, 23 Emre Can, 28 Danny Ings, 53 Oviemuno Ejaria

Referee: Graham Scott

Attendance: 26,245

Seven points from nine in London allow Liverpool to make capital gains.

Blog by dedlfc (David Douglas)

Chelsea 1 Liverpool 2

Pre-match thought: Confirmation that Firmino was out with a minor groin strain was a blow given his recent good form , but in having our little magician Coutinho returning to the fray it was not a bad replacement to have in what is perceived to be of most difficult games of the season. Importantly Lovren returned at centre back for Lucas Leiva, restoring his promising centre back pairing with Matip. Also good to see young midfielder Ejaria on the bench for the first time.

We started the game with Klopp’s men confidently on the front foot pressing Chelsea’s defensive line so well that we produced two early shots on target within the first couple of minutes. Wijnaldum’s effort not really testing keeping Courtois, but in contrast Sturridge's strong left footed strike nearly smashed through the Chelsea keeper, before the Belgian International responded quickly to grab the spinning ball from behind him.

Our pressing game when we are on form is fascinating to watch and in the first quarter of an hour we were dominant, it seemed only a matter of time before we would take a deserved lead.

0-1 (Lovren) The deserved lead finally arrived through a quickly taken free kick given for another rash Ivanovic challenge, which probably should have been his second yellow in the game having previously stamped on Lallana.  The resultant free kick, taken quickly was played into Coutinho who produced a delicious cross from which Lovren left wide open at the far post to stroke home a perfect side-footed volley that any striker would have been proud of.

Clearly energised, we are all over Chelsea with the main highlights consisting of Sturridge producing a flashing left foot drive across the area after countless step overs created the space for the shot and Wijnaldum playing in Matip through on goal to which the centre back won a corner.

What a stylish and accomplished defender Matip is.  He appears unhurried in his approach gliding along the turf with the ball as his feet pushing forward into midfield when required.

Approaching the half hour mark, Chelsea inevitably came back into the game, but that being said we quite happy to allow Chelsea to try and break us down in possession.

0-2 (Henderson) - Another poor Chelsea clearance, this time Cahill fell to Henderson and from 25 yards Henderson, controlled the ball beautifully before executing a tremendous curling shot up and beyond the flailing outstretched arms of Courtois. Definite contender for goal of the month. You don’t see shots hit much better than that!

Half-time thought: We totally deserved the first half lead by alternating between a hard high press and sitting deeper to soak up pressure. The scary part is that we hadn’t really even hit top-gear going forward, scoring the two goals from situations caused by defensive mistakes showing an ability to take chances when presented to us.

Worryingly only 10 minutes into the second half and Divock Origi replaced Daniel Sturridge, who went straight into the dressing room. Hopefully it’s not a serious injury for Sturridge.

Goal 1-2 (Costa) Chelsea out of nowhere then get back into the game when a lack of concentration by both Henderson and Lallana allows Matic who is played through to get to the by line and cut it back for Costa, who finishes the move with an easy finish. The goal is highly frustrating for us and earmarks the fallibility that can still befalls us even when we are well ahead.

The response after Chelsea scored was immediate responded well as we reverted to type looking assert ourselves once again in attack.

Origi was then on the end of our best chance for Liverpool in the second half. Heading down a deflected Milner cross at the back post, Courtois pulled an excellent reaction save low down to keep the ball out of the net.

Looking to close the came out Klopp replaced Coutinho for Lucas Leiva.

Chelsea with a rarely seen triple substitution switch introduced Moses, Fabregas, and Pedro in a bid to snatch a late equaliser.

Lucas lunging in on Hazard gave away a cheap free kick late on at the edge of the area. Extremely nervy moment, but fortunately Fabregas shot struck the wall full on before being cleared and to finally close up shop Kevin Stewart replaced the tiring, but effective Wijnaldum. 

Final whistle thought: While we couldn’t see out our two-goal advantage without drama, the Reds held out for a big win and second successive win at the Bridge. We now move up to fourth, tied with Everton and Chelsea on points.

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Azpilicueta, Kante, Matic (Fabregas), Willian (Moses), Oscar (Pedro), Hazard, Costa.

Subs: Begovic, Alonso, Batshuayi, Aina.

Booked: Willian 

Goals: Costa 61' 

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum (Stewart), Mane, Coutinho (Lucas), Sturridge (Origi). 

Subs: Karius, Grujic, Moreno, Ejaria

Man of the match: Jordan Henderson – stunning goal by our captain – he celebrated the goal like he was saying look what I am capable of!!! Only mistake in the game cost us a goal but overall had a very good game.

Matip – Impressive in leading the defensive line. Brought the ball forward the right times as opposed to just clearing the ball, but wasn't opposed to clearing his lines of danger when he sensed danger closing in.

Lallana – continues to impress in his new midfield role leading from the front pressing the Chelsea players throughout but also at fault for the lack of concentration in the lead up to the Chelsea goal.

Apart from the Burnley game we continue to impress in our games, but we just need to continue to work on capturing that elusive league clean sheet.

What a great win!!!!

Goals: Lovren 17', Henderson 36'

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Attendance: 41, 514

Liverpool 4 Leicester 1 - The Foxes sent packing with a bloody nose !!

Blog by David Douglas (dedlfc)

Pre-match: We were finally due to play our first home game of the season in front of the new main stand finally been completed with an extra 8,000 LFC fans able to now cheer on our team.

With Lovren out with a head injury and replaced by versatile defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva and our main attacking midfielder Coutinho arriving back late from international duty with Brazil his place was taken by the gifted Sturridge chosen ahead of Origi.

So we were playing the league champions Leicester City with two midfielders Lucas at centre back and Milner at left back, respectively.

That’s why trying to send Sakho out on loan didn’t make practical sense to me as he could have filled in for either Matip or Lovren.

Once the game started the extra bodies in the Main Stand made the atmosphere more intense for Leicester who despite this started the game on the front foot with our defence conceding early corners and looking vulnerable as we tried to pass the ball out from the back.

Leicester failed to take advantage of their fast start and we took control of the game with sharp interplay and intelligent movement.

We went ahead after 13 minutes through Milner’s excellent pass which found Firmino, utilising the space created by Sturridge equally clever run dragging Wes Morgan away into the left channel. It took ooe touch to control, shimmy past Huth for Firmino to calmly stroke the ball home.  It was made it look ridiculously easy. 

Sturridge should have scored to make it 2-0 when Mane's delightful link with Lallana left him free six yards out, only for Schmeichel saved to from Sturridge’s right foot.

It was only a temporary reprieve for Leicester, as Henderson's fine pass freed Sturridge and his brilliantly intuitive back heel allowed Mane to loft over the keeper. 

At two-nil and in complete control we proceeded to throw away our lead with an inexcusable piece of defending by Lucas Leiva and our keeper Simon Mignolet.

Mignolet has an extremely bad habit of passing to his players when they are being closed down by opposition and getting away with it – this time Lucas was closed down lost control of the ball and laid an easy finish on for Vardy to stroke home to make it 2-1.  That being said, it was an awful mistake from Lucas.

What a way to deflate a stadium packed to the brim!

Half-time: In a dominant first half performance we led by a goal but have again avoided a clean sheet and put ourselves under undeserved pressure through our own stupidity. 

Sturridge, in particular, made an excellent case for himself up front and probably deserved a goal in the first half from his intelligent movement and tireless running for the team – if only he had the finishing skills in his right foot. Sadio Mané is the heartbeat of our attack and we need to ensure we can keep him fit for as much of the season as possible. 

I would prefer it if we had centre backs playing as centre backs rather than midfielders playing there as we require continuity. The square pegs in round holes philosophy is destabilising the defence.

After the disappointing end to the first half Leicester started the second half with some dangerous possession in our half with midfielder Wijnaldum in particular getting caught out which almost lead to an equaliser with a Huth header hitting the top of the bar from one ball swung into our box– we really need to cut out these self-inflicted mistakes!!!

Lallana, confidence peakiing through starting the season well for us then thumped home a rocket for our all-important third goal.  This time the much maligned Wijnaldum provided the assist after further good work by Sturridge whose deflected pass ran through to Wijnaldum who found Lallana to smash a searing strike home – hopefully it means he is adding regular goals to his fantastic unselfish running and technical adept play.

At three-one Huth and Mignolet have a head clash but fair play to an injured and bloodied nose Mignolet, he proceeded to make a fantastic save to deny Vardy, clear in on goal.

The frontline of Sturridge, Firmino, and Mané looked fantastic, and that’s without our best midfielder Can and without Coutinho for most of the game. 

Can this exciting LFC team compete at the top end – Most definitely if they cut out the silly mistakes!!!

With a couple of minutes left of the game a great ball over the top by impressive captain Henderson found Mane clear with Leicester keeper Schmeichel running so far out of his goal you would have thought he was a Leicester midfielder!!! – Mane slipped past him and calmly passed to Firmino who adjusts his feet and tapped home for number 4 beating two desperate defenders scrambling back to their own goal– brilliant attacking play by Mane and Firmino!!!

Final whistle: Aside from Mignolet and Lucas’s crazy double act for the Leicester goal it was a thoroughly convincing win to start our home campaign in front of our new Main stand, going forward we look a constant threat and we took the current champions to the cleaners today. As Ice Cube said in 1993 “It was a good day”

Man of the match – Adam Lallana

It now looks like Lallana has found his position in our new look midfield where he can influence and quietly provide a source of energy and verve for the team – he provides a solid platform for quick exchanges to assist breaking through Leicester’s normally solid and stubborn defence. Adding goals to his game enhances his role in the side.

Special mentions

Jordan Henderson – our captain in the last two games – Spurs and now Leicester has shown that he is slowly adjusting to the defensive midfielder role with an impressive disciplined display showing awareness in noticing danger and some beautiful long range passing to set up attacking moves.

Daniel Sturridge – playing as the central attacking focal point had a fantastic first half and should have capped off his excellent all round display with two goals and gave the manager selection problems now for Friday vs Chelsea as he showed the required desire needed to warrant a place in the starting line-up.

Lucas – had a nightmare first half capped with his major mistake – the unwanted assist for Vardy’s goal for Leicester – he could have lost his confidence and had a nightmare second half but recovered exceptionally well and along with Matip was solid throughout the second half – both players covering several positions along the back line along with Henderson.

Firmino – played in a slightly different role normally reserved for Coutinho on the left hand side of the attacking midfield position but used all his trickery, skill and constant harrying to good use and came away with a further two goals.

Roll on to Friday evening lets now test Chelsea's resolve and see if we can cause maximum damage to their defence.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lucas, Milner, Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum (Stewart 76mins), Mane, Firmino, Sturridge (Coutinho 76mins)

Subs not used: Karius, Grujic, Klavan, Moreno, Origi

Booked: Henderson

Scorers: Firmino 13, 89, Mane 31, Lallana 56

LEICESTER CITY (4-3-1-2): Schmeichel, Simpson (Hernandez 33mins), Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton (Ulloa 65mins), Mahrez, Okazaki (Musa 46mins), Vardy

Subs not used: Ziegler, Chilwell, King, Gray

Booked: Huth, Amartey

Scorers: Vardy 38

Referee: Craig Pawson

Attendance: 53,075 (Biggest crowd since 1977)