Liverpool 2 Leeds United 0: Origi and Woodburn see off spirited Leeds

As one would expect there was an impeccable minutes silence for the 75 people tragically killed in the plane crash in Colombia, which took the lives of members of the Chapecoense football team from Brazil.

As Karl, our Liverpool FC WhatsApp member and Brazilian expert Tom Vickery agreed the calamitous plane crash brought up memories of the Munich plane crash.

Liverpool versus Leeds from the late sixties to the mid-seventies this was arguably the biggest fixture on the Football League roster and Leeds brought the support to remind us of that fact.

In the match itself Leeds started at mile a minute forcing Liverpool’s midfield, into making mistakes by pressing and ensuring very little time could be spent on the ball.  Without the elaborate talents of the injured trio Coutinho, Lallana and Firmino we struggled to impose our quality even with a front line led by Sadio Mane and Divock Origi with Georgino Wijnaldum in support.

Make no mistake until Divock Origi and young Ben Woodburn crashed home his opening goal of what we hope will be a stellar Liverpool career this was an old school cup-tie in which we struggled to cope with the a Leeds side looking to get behind Klavan and Lucas at every opportunity. With the increasingly wobbly Moreno returning to the Liverpool fold, we struggled to cope with the well thought out game plan of Gary Monk’s charges.

Hadi Sacko produced an excellent shot well saved by Mignolet after fastening on to a deft through ball by Stuart Dallas.  Liverpool looked lightweight, unable to compete in the white hot heat of battle being generated by the Leeds travelling support given the bottom tier of the Anfield Road end.  Kenmar

Roofe also came close testing Mignolet.

Liverpool finally began to get an assemblance of a foothold in the game.  Ovie Ejaria excellent pass found Wijnaldum in space allowing the former Newcastle man to curl his shot toward the top corner before keeper Marco Silvestri produced a top class save.  As the interval approach Kelvin Phillips ill advised back pass was almost punished with Emre Can nipping in to poke the ball just wide of the far post.

There was greater urgency in the second-half from the home side almost certainly on the end of stern talking to, but try as they might Leeds looked the most likely to break the deadlock.  The lax approach which had been Liverpool’s trademark all night was there for all to see as Kevin Stewart unware of Phillips in close proximity, lost out to Phillips.  Roofe picking up the breaking ball, exquisitely curled the ball over a stranded Mignolet only to see the ball bounce out after hitting the inside of the post. A lucky break to say the least.

It was a depressing sight and on a bitterly cold night sitting in the Kop there was little to lift the spirits.  Mignolet was being kept on his toes by Leeds who were now well on top as Bartley headed wide from Charlie’s Taylor’s corner and the Liverpool keeper saving well from Roofe’s effort.

But the difference between the Premier League and the Championship is often the quality of the finishing and this was no exception.

Mane suddenly sprung to life releasing Wijnaldum charging into the area before seeing his shot rebound out of the inside of the post.

Liverpool were now looking a different proposition.  The impressive Alexander-Arnold whipped an inviting pacey cross to the near post which Origi beating off the challenge of Ayling slid in.  The sense of relief round the ground was unmistakeable.  Francoise sitting next roared her approval on her ever visit to Anfield.

Leeds, both fans and players alike were stunned having dominated the majority of the match and they were to dealt an ever harsher blow just five minutes later.

Ben Woodburn took his place in Liverpool folklore and history.  Having replaced Kevin Stewart after 67 minutes, the teenage prodigy found himself loitering with intent on the edge of the 6 yard box when Wijnaldum presented him with an early Christmas presented with a golden chance which the Wales youth international (still qualified to play for England) emphatically slammed home quietening the Leeds faithful and taking Liverpool into the semi-final of the EFL Cup of the third time in three seasons.

On nights like this we look to the positives and there were a few.

He has a long way to go, but with the continual injury woes of Daniel Sturridge and the long-term injury to Danny Ings, Woodburn’s goal at least gives us something to latch on to.  The young man usurped Michael Owen, in attendance, by 99 days as the club’s youngest ever scorer at 17 years and 45 days.

And we should not forget Trent-Alexander who looked accomplished in deputising for Nathaniel Clyne.  Just a few short years ago, the 19 year old appeared as a game day mascot.

It is not a fait accompli that the robust Jon Flanagan will return from Burnley as the back-up right-back with his lack of athleticism. His saving grace my well be his aptitude to switch over to left-back and with Moreno seemingly heading for the exit door, Klopp may see the youngster more of a fit to cover for the ever dependable James Milner.

Man of the Match: Trent-Alexander – for a midfielder he plays right-back with the ease of seasoned veteran. Composed on the ball and very rarely flustered, there was times when under pressure he sauntered away from challenges with the ease of a very cultured player.

Liverpool struggled for most of the match, but credit to the players on the scene (8 changes from the home win over Sunderland) that without the silky touches of Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana and Sturridge they found their way out of what could have been an embarrassing exit.

Liverpool 2 Sunderland 0: Liverpool grind out win against stubborn Sunderland resistance

Year in year out Steven Gerrard picked Liverpool teams up by the scruff of the deck.  The great man was in attendance today in a week in which he announced his retirement to universal praise. Up until the 75^th minute Liverpool needed a pick me up.

The pick me up when it came was instigated by Liverpool’s joint man of the match Jürgen Klopp and the Anfield faithful.  Boyed by Klopp, those inside the cauldron who had fallen silent, suddenly reacted as if branded by red hot poker.  The super charged atmosphere was all Liverpool needed to expedite a vital win.

The fluency of the brilliant front three had stalled recently with teams using the Jose Mourinho template of denying them space to operate in.  Liverpool were still without Adam Lallana and the long-term injured Danny Ings and just when it seemed a possible return may have been in the offing for Daniel Sturridge his injury jinx struck again (a thigh strain).

Liverpool enjoyed huge dollops of possession without creating a clear opening early on.  Wijnaldum, turning on a dime struck a shot just inside the area which the impressive Pickford gobbled up without any undue concern.  In a half where possession failed to relate to chances, Mane cut in from the right before his tame shot was easily saved and Lovren headed wide of the far post from a Henderson free-kick was as good as it got.  The desperate nature of Liverpool’s football was summed up by Lovren’s speculative drive from distance which flew well wide of the post.

As bad as the half was the injury picked up by Coutinho on the half hour could be disastrous to Liverpool’s season.  On one of his trademark slalom runs the Brazilian cut back inside the challenge of Jason Denayer only to be caught by Ndong on his follow through as he cleared his lines.  The instant wave to the bench suggested it was serious.  In the wake of Coutinho’s scan and the injuries to Ings and Sturridge, Origi’s importance is now vital to Liverpool’s season.

Now into the second-half, Origi was providing Liverpool with a focal point to work off.  Running the channels and getting in behind the defence allowed us to stretch the game and occupy the backline with his power and pace.

The change was effective.  Sadio Mane, subdued in the first-half began to roam firing in two early shoots in the first few minutes.

Then it was Klopp time.  Sensing his players needed help, he beckoned to the crowd to increase the decibel level.  The change was instant.

Wijnaldum in tandem with Emre Can moved further forward enabling more of attacking threat in support of the front three.  The former on the end a looped pass from the later volleyed wide of the left of the far post.

Liverpool were as dominant as they in the first-half with difference being there was now a goal threat.  Milner, Henderson and Firmino all had goal attempts.  Emre Can came close to breaking the deadlock sliding in to volley just wide.

Sunderland’s best opportunity came against the run of play.  Watmore mis-controlled at the key moment allowing Karius to bravely dive at his feet before managing to hook the ball back cross for Victor Anichebe’s shot to be charged down.

One sensed if Liverpool were to score it would take a high level of skill.  It almost came from a corner as the ball fell to Lovren, he brilliantly back heeled to Mane at the back post only for his shot to be blocked by Denayer at the last.

And then the breakthrough. The ball found its way out to Origi after Milner’s shot was blocked off by Ndong.  The Belgian fainted to go outside before cutting inside and delivered an inch perfect shot curled into the far corner.  The anxiety inside the stadium lifted as if the Anfield faithful tilted their heads back and exhaled as one.

So many times, over the past few seasons we have been on tenterhooks after dominated games at Anfield only to throw away a win.  This time we would not be denied.  Mane picked up the ball on the right-wing just inside his own half after a flick from Origi, proceeded to out run Denayer all the way into the area, before being upended by Ndong attempting to cover.

James Milner for the fifth time in the Premier League this season did the necessary from the penalty spot.

Liverpool showed they could be patient with the opposition defending stoically, but required the intervention from Klopp and those in attendance for it all to fall into place.

Man of the match: Jürgen Klopp – recognised the atmosphere had fallen flat stoked the crowed to fever pitch to drive his side over the line.  They say it’s up to the players once they get over the white line, but the manager proved he can have an influence.

The injury to Coutinho may well be a problem for the foreseeable future, but here hastened a change in formation allowing Liverpool to become more direct against a defence squeezing the front three and man marking Coutinho.  It showed the counter-pressing game is not the only way to win a match and get around stingy defences.

Teams:

Liverpool: 1 Karius, 2 Clyne, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 7 Milner, 5 Wijnaldum (Woodburn – 90+2 Mins), 14 Henderson, 23 Can, 19 Mane, 11 Firmino (Lucas – 87 mins), 10 Coutinho (Origi – 34 mins)

Subs: 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 21 Lucas, 22 Mignolet, 27 Origi, 53 Ejaria, 58 Woodburn

Sunderland: 13 Pickford, 2 Jones, 23 Kone, 16 O’Shea, 3 van Aanholt, 4 Denayer, 17 Ndong, 20 Pienaar (Gooch – 79 mins), 14 Watmore (Januzaj – 79 mins), 18 Defoe, 28 Anichebe

Subsitutes: 1 Mannone, 7 Larsson, 10 Khazri, 21 Manquillo, 22 Love, 44 Januzaj, 46 Gooch

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Attendance: 53, 114

Liverpool 2 Sunderland 0: Liverpool grind out win against stubborn Sunderland resistance

Year in year out Steven Gerrard picked Liverpool teams up by the scruff of the deck.  The great man was in attendance today in a week in which he announced his retirement to universal praise. Up until the 75^th minute Liverpool needed a pick me up.

The pick me up when it came was instigated by Liverpool’s joint man of the match Jürgen Klopp and the Anfield faithful.  Boyed by Klopp, those inside the cauldron who had fallen silent, suddenly reacted as if branded by red hot poker.  The super charged atmosphere was all Liverpool needed to expedite a vital win.

The fluency of the brilliant front three had stalled recently with teams using the Jose Mourinho template of denying them space to operate in.  Liverpool were still without Adam Lallana and the long-term injured Danny Ings and just when it seemed a possible return may have been in the offing for Daniel Sturridge his injury jinx struck again (a thigh strain).

Liverpool enjoyed huge dollops of possession without creating a clear opening early on.  Wijnaldum, turning on a dime struck a shot just inside the area which the impressive Pickford gobbled up without any undue concern.  In a half where possession failed to relate to chances, Mane cut in from the right before his tame shot was easily saved and Lovren headed wide of the far post from a Henderson free-kick was as good as it got.  The desperate nature of Liverpool’s football was summed up by Lovren’s speculative drive from distance which flew well wide of the post.

As bad as the half was the injury picked up by Coutinho on the half hour could be disastrous to Liverpool’s season.  On one of his trademark slalom runs the Brazilian cut back inside the challenge of Jason Denayer only to be caught by Ndong on his follow through as he cleared his lines.  The instant wave to the bench suggested it was serious.  In the wake of Coutinho’s scan and the injuries to Ings and Sturridge, Origi’s importance is now vital to Liverpool’s season.

Now into the second-half, Origi was providing Liverpool with a focal point to work off.  Running the channels and getting in behind the defence allowed us to stretch the game and occupy the backline with his power and pace.

The change was effective.  Sadio Mane, subdued in the first-half began to roam firing in two early shoots in the first few minutes.

Then it was Klopp time.  Sensing his players needed help, he beckoned to the crowd to increase the decibel level.  The change was instant.

Wijnaldum in tandem with Emre Can moved further forward enabling more of attacking threat in support of the front three.  The former on the end a looped pass from the later volleyed wide of the left of the far post.

Liverpool were as dominant as they in the first-half with difference being there was now a goal threat.  Milner, Henderson and Firmino all had goal attempts.  Emre Can came close to breaking the deadlock sliding in to volley just wide.

Sunderland’s best opportunity came against the run of play.  Watmore mis-controlled at the key moment allowing Karius to bravely dive at his feet before managing to hook the ball back cross for Victor Anichebe’s shot to be charged down.

One sensed if Liverpool were to score it would take a high level of skill.  It almost came from a corner as the ball fell to Lovren, he brilliantly back heeled to Mane at the back post only for his shot to be blocked by Denayer at the last.

And then the breakthrough. The ball found its way out to Origi after Milner’s shot was blocked off by Ndong.  The Belgian fainted to go outside before cutting inside and delivered an inch perfect shot curled into the far corner.  The anxiety inside the stadium lifted as if the Anfield faithful tilted their heads back and exhaled as one.

So many times, over the past few seasons we have been on tenterhooks after dominated games at Anfield only to throw away a win.  This time we would not be denied.  Mane picked up the ball on the right-wing just inside his own half after a flick from Origi, proceeded to out run Denayer all the way into the area, before being upended by Ndong attempting to cover.

James Milner for the fifth time in the Premier League this season did the necessary from the penalty spot.

Liverpool showed they could be patient with the opposition defending stoically, but required the intervention from Klopp and those in attendance for it all to fall into place.

Man of the match: Jürgen Klopp – recognised the atmosphere had fallen flat stoked the crowed to fever pitch to drive his side over the line.  They say it’s up to the players once they get over the white line, but the manager proved he can have an influence.

The injury to Coutinho may well be a problem for the foreseeable future, but here hastened a change in formation allowing Liverpool to become more direct against a defence squeezing the front three and man marking Coutinho.  It showed the counter-pressing game is not the only way to win a match and get around stingy defences.

Teams:

Liverpool: 1 Karius, 2 Clyne, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 7 Milner, 5 Wijnaldum (Woodburn – 90+2 Mins), 14 Henderson, 23 Can, 19 Mane, 11 Firmino (Lucas – 87 mins), 10 Coutinho (Origi – 34 mins)

Subs: 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 21 Lucas, 22 Mignolet, 27 Origi, 53 Ejaria, 58 Woodburn

Sunderland: 13 Pickford, 2 Jones, 23 Kone, 16 O’Shea, 3 van Aanholt, 4 Denayer, 17 Ndong, 20 Pienaar (Gooch – 79 mins), 14 Watmore (Januzaj – 79 mins), 18 Defoe, 28 Anichebe

Subsitutes: 1 Mannone, 7 Larsson, 10 Khazri, 21 Manquillo, 22 Love, 44 Januzaj, 46 Gooch

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Attendance: 53, 114

Southampton 0 Liverpool 0: A tale of missed opportunities

I guess it shows just how far we’ve come that leaving as difficult a place as St. Mary’s after dominating from start to finish, attaining a rare clean sheet away from home for the first time since February and the feeling is of disappointment.

Sixty-five percent possession against a side as strong as Southampton, is an excellent effort at any time, but there were chances, clear cut chances to win the game convincingly. 

Firmino and Coutinho both when through on goal, toe poked wide and too slow in reacting respectively.  Nathaniel Clyne joined the list of wastrels after Sturridge making space served up a delicious chance on a plate only for the England full-back to head wide of the far post.

Sadio Mane saw a curling effort saved spectacularly by Forster in the first half after Wijnaldum found him with time and space.

Liverpool should have had a penalty when the impressive Virgil van Dijk pulled back Firmino who had finally got goal side, only for referee Mark Clattenburg to wave play on.

Dominating for vast sections of first half, we lacked fluency which has been the watch word of our play of late and the intensity normally instigated by the charging Adam Lallana missing after picking up an injury in the midweek friendly against Spain was also absent.

It was better in the second-half. Better in the sense of more fluidity allied to the alacrity provided by Coutinho playing in a more central role having been starved of quality possession, with Southampton not giving the habitually domineering front three any time and space to thrive in.

Three missed chances came and went in the second-half, but with Man United and Arsenal having drawn earlier the chance to pull a further two points away went begging and with Southampton able to throw a blanket over the front three it was disappointing not to see Klopp not change the dynamic earlier by throwing on Sturridge and Origi for a final onslaught.

Adam Lalllana in such sparkling form was a big miss, not so much for his pressing as WijnaldumWijnaldumWijnaldum provided vital drive from midfield and tenacity in the tackle.  But, as he showed for the short time he was on the pitch against Spain, his invention and goal scoring allied to the front three is part of the dynamism which is difficult to replace.

It’s difficult to see how Origi can impact the game coming on in the ninety-first minute and Sturridge with 12 minutes to go with Southampton defence well entrenched in a defensive mind set.

The pressing quicksilver interplay which has seen Liverpool flourish has one draw-back, none of Klopp’s perceived first eleven is an instinctive finisher.  It’s fine when we are winning and demolishing teams, but I do think when it’s not working we need to adapt by switching formation with those already on the pitch which he tried to do in the second-half or by bringing on those on the bench early enough to make it a difference.

It could have been better, but as I write with Chelsea still to play we are still top of the League and with a home fixture next up, hopefully normal service will be resumed.

Man of the match: Georginio Wijnaldum – Replaced Lallana in the starting line-up provided energy and made an excellent chance for Mane.  Noticeable how he thrived in the thick of the battle in central areas.

Lallana’s inventiveness was sorely missed and moreover his decision making and leadership.

Has become a key component of Klopp’s team and arguably the main protagonist in applying his mentor’s thoughts on the pitch, but with or without him we dominated the match against a tough opponent away from home.  We should have won, but as important is we didn’t lose, keeping a clean sheet which is a boost to the confidence.

Teams:

Southampton: 1 Forster, 2 Soares, 6 Fonte, 17 van Dijk, 21 Bertrand, 23 Højbjerg (Sub Reed – 78 mins), 14 Romeu, 8 Davis, 22 Redmond, 10 Austin (Rodiguez – 75 mins), 19 Boufal (Long – 66 mins)

Substitutes:

3 Yoshida, 4 Clasie, 7 Long, 9 Rodriguez, 15 Martina, 18 Reed, 28 Taylor

Liverpool: 1 Karius, 2 Clyne, 32, 6 Lovren, 7 Milner, 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson, 23 Can (Sturridge – 78 mins), 19 Mané (Origi – 90+1), 11 Firmino, 10 Coutino

Substitutes: 15 Sturridge, 16 Grujic, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 21 Lucas, 22, Mignolet, 27 Origi

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Attendance: 31,848Mané

“Poetry in Motion”Liverpool truly sting Hornets and hit them for six – Liverpool 6 Watford 1

Blog by dedlfc (David Douglas)

Pre match

During the week prior to the game we had the sad news that Ings had picked up ligament cartilage damage and was for the second season in a row going to have to sit out the rest of the season. We all wish the unlucky player another speedy recovery and hope he can really kick start his Liverpool career next season.

With Watford in a rich vein of form unbeaten in four games, we expected a really tough test going into this game.

Arsenal and Spurs drawing earlier in the day meant that if we won our game we would go top of the table going into the international break.

We had one enforced change with Lucas coming in for Lovren who had a virus and we made one tactical change bringing back in our reliable vice captain James Milner for the unreliable and unpredictable left back Alberto Moreno.

We started the game with our gen-press approach in full effect with Firmino and Lallana leading by example as per usual.

Within the first twenty minutes we had created at least four good chances with two of them falling to the unlikely source of Lucas Leiva who hasn’t got a league goal in 182 league starts. The first chance was a glancing header by Lucas from a Milner free kick and the second was a glorious chance for Lucas who can’t take full advantage of it as a Coutinho corner falls to him at the back post but his close range shot is blocked by Watford’s sprawling dive when it looked easier to score.

After a succession of missed chances including from Firmino and Coutinho we must have thought it was going to be another one of them afternoons – but we put that to bed with our next chance with a short corner by Milner to Coutinho allows our little magician to dink an in-swinging cross into the area, which was met with a brilliant glancing header by Mane to direct the ball into the far corner with Watford keeper Gomes left with no chance 1-0.

With the deadlock broken we quickly proceeded to make it 2-0 with our magician (who else!!) involved again. An excellent slick passing move ends with the ball at Coutinho’s feet on the edge of the area, he then does his customary shimmy into space and drives the ball past Gomes who in diving seems to have picked up an injury and can play no further part in the game.

Soon after we then make it 3-0 with another speedy, sublime move resulting in Can heading home a gorgeous Lallana cross from the right – that’s now two goals in two games for the German international who is speculated to be due to sign an extended long contract very soon.

Half-time analysis

The Reds are leading 3-0 at halftime with decisive possession and chances coming just as easily as the goals. Our boys have absolutely controlled the match so we can only hope for much of the same. But my bigger wish would be for a clean sheet for only the second time this season.

We’re back underway in much the same fashion, Watford with absolutely no idea how to get back into this. We really look like we could score any amount of goals in this game !!

Another assist from Lallana leads to Firmino joining in the goalscoring party to make it 4-0 and tapping a little one just across the line.

Henderson sends a perfect pass to Firmino who darts into space and holds off the challenge of Capoue inside the area and then crosses low for Mane to hook into the net from just inside the six yard box to make it 5-0!

Mane is taken off to a standing ovation with Wijnaldum coming on– he must be disappointed that he never stayed on for the chance to complete his hat-trick, the way he has started this season that day will surely come sooner rather than later.

Watford had absolutely come to play today and have been cut to shreds as a result but they continue to try with a good full stretch save by Karius keeping out Capoue’s curler through a crowd of bodies followed by another smart save by Karius, this time thwarting Deeney as he got his toe to a Watford cross. A third save by Karius was the best of the three with the young keeper taking the sting out of a Capoue shot after he had been put clean though on goal by Deeney, Milner producing the final clearance away from our goal line.

Watford were not to be denied and sadly again we had conceded a goal as Watford’s Janmaat slides a long range low effort into the corner with Karius having no chance – Klopp and the fans were not amused to concede another goal at 5-0 to make the score 5-1.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge then attempted to smash the ball into the net from a tight angle but unluckily hit the crossbar. Still looking for his first league goal of this campaign. Sturridge seems determined to get his goal and proceeds to curl a shot into the corner but Watford substitute keeper Pantilimon reads the flight of the shot and saves well.

Another great move ends with Clyne laying a great chance for Coutinho to make it six but he hits the ball way over the bar and is then taken off to a standing ovation with league debutant Ovie Ejaria coming onto replace him.

The unlucky Sturridge smacks the crossbar again, this time with a first time curler from about 20 yards after a neat one-two with Wijnaldum, Firmino’s follow up is save by the keeper’s legs.

Sturridge may not have got his goal today but he can say he had a great part to play in number six. As it was his great shot which the keeper parries for Wijnaldum to finally break his goal-scoring duck as a LFC player to make it 6-1– hopefully that can now kick start his career.

What an emphatic win, a great performance all round – only downside is the lack of being able to avoid conceding goals.

The 6-1 win takes us to the top of the league after 11 league games – still early days but lets enjoy being back at the top of the perch!!

Man of the match – yet again our little magician Coutinho – he has added consistency and regular goals to his already excellent repertoire of skills and tricks.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Karius: Clyne, Lucas, Matip, Milner: Henderson, Can, Lallana (Sturridge 70mins): Mane (Wijnaldum 63mins), Firmino, Coutinho (Ejaria 86mins)

Subs not used: Mignolet (GK), Klavan, Moreno, Origi,

WATFORD (3-5-2): Gomes (Pantilimon 33mins): Janmaat, Kaboul, Britos: Amrabat, Behrami (Watson 60mins), Capoue, Pereyra, Capoue, Holebas: Igalho, Deeney

Subs not used: Mariappa, Guedioura, Zuniga, Sinclair, Kabasele

Goals – Mane (27), Coutinho (30), Mane (43)

Booked – Holebas, Britos, Wijnaldum

Attendance – 53,163

Referee – Michael Oliver

Special mentions:-

Milner – Came back into the side and produced a solid defensive performance and supported the attack by providing width at every opportunity.

The fantastic four including Coutinho – (Firmino, Lallana, Mane) again are destroying teams in the Premier League long may it continue, no one can handle or pace, power and pressure and performances at the moment – lets keep pushing every single week lads !!!

Karius – Had his first very good game but will still be disappointed to concede a goal

Wijnaldum – Very pleased that he got his first goal for the club

Can – Delighted that he has made it two in two league games.

Sturridge – Looked a constant threat when he came on and so unlucky today not to get his first league goal of the season – it will surely come very soon !!!

Manager Jurgen Klopp’s view:-

“We will stay cool. It’s the best position I can imagine but we didn’t speak one word about possibility of going top before the game. We knew Arsenal draw with Tottenham but we did not speak about it. The only thing you can do is work and stay concentrated. A lot of things can happen in the next weeks and months.

“There is no pressure after 11 match days, absolutely no pressure. We saw Chelsea playing yesterday, quite impressive. We saw Manchester City playing Barcelona, quite impressive. Manchester United, never write them off. Tottenham are a very good side.

“I’m not sure if I forgot anyone. You can have a good season and be fifth and I'm sure no-one will be happy with that. Stay cool, take the things like they are, play your best, win games, that's the only thing we can do. When I came here I asked for time and patience and belief and after 11 match days everyone's asking for guarantees and they are not there. The only thing we have is a pretty good football team.”

Despite 30 goals in 11 games – the most the club has scored after 11 games during the Premier League era – Klopp warned Liverpool will only maintain their momentum by striving for more.

“They have to. I know how it sounds. It’s not that we have to score more goals, of course not, but you saw we lost a little bit of concentration at 5-0,” said Klopp.

“It is not often you have a situation to fight to win the league. Of course you can do better but there is not much to criticise. We scored more goals, that is OK, but we wasted a bit of energy by giving them balls. We had to defend and Watford deserved the goal because they created a few chances and Loris [Karius] was really busy, which in a game you win 6-1 is not really likely. A lot of things you can improve but a lot of things work really well.”

“It as a good performance against a difficult opponent,” said Klopp.

That is exactly how I expected our manager to react to keep everything in perspective and let the lads know they just need to continue doing the right things in the pitch every week and lets see how far it takes us at the end of the season.

“Poetry in Motion”Liverpool truly sting Hornets and hit them for six – Liverpool 6 Watford 1

Blog by dedlfc (David Douglas)

Pre match

During the week prior to the game we had the sad news that Ings had picked up ligament cartilage damage and was for the second season in a row going to have to sit out the rest of the season. We all wish the unlucky player another speedy recovery and hope he can really kick start his Liverpool career next season.

With Watford in a rich vein of form unbeaten in four games, we expected a really tough test going into this game.

Arsenal and Spurs drawing earlier in the day meant that if we won our game we would go top of the table going into the international break.

We had one enforced change with Lucas coming in for Lovren who had a virus and we made one tactical change bringing back in our reliable vice captain James Milner for the unreliable and unpredictable left back Alberto Moreno.

We started the game with our gen-press approach in full effect with Firmino and Lallana leading by example as per usual.

Within the first twenty minutes we had created at least four good chances with two of them falling to the unlikely source of Lucas Leiva who hasn’t got a league goal in 182 league starts. The first chance was a glancing header by Lucas from a Milner free kick and the second was a glorious chance for Lucas who can’t take full advantage of it as a Coutinho corner falls to him at the back post but his close range shot is blocked by Watford’s sprawling dive when it looked easier to score.

After a succession of missed chances including from Firmino and Coutinho we must have thought it was going to be another one of them afternoons – but we put that to bed with our next chance with a short corner by Milner to Coutinho allows our little magician to dink an in-swinging cross into the area, which was met with a brilliant glancing header by Mane to direct the ball into the far corner with Watford keeper Gomes left with no chance 1-0.

With the deadlock broken we quickly proceeded to make it 2-0 with our magician (who else!!) involved again. An excellent slick passing move ends with the ball at Coutinho’s feet on the edge of the area, he then does his customary shimmy into space and drives the ball past Gomes who in diving seems to have picked up an injury and can play no further part in the game.

Soon after we then make it 3-0 with another speedy, sublime move resulting in Can heading home a gorgeous Lallana cross from the right – that’s now two goals in two games for the German international who is speculated to be due to sign an extended long contract very soon.

Half-time analysis

The Reds are leading 3-0 at halftime with decisive possession and chances coming just as easily as the goals. Our boys have absolutely controlled the match so we can only hope for much of the same. But my bigger wish would be for a clean sheet for only the second time this season.

We’re back underway in much the same fashion, Watford with absolutely no idea how to get back into this. We really look like we could score any amount of goals in this game !!

Another assist from Lallana leads to Firmino joining in the goalscoring party to make it 4-0 and tapping a little one just across the line.

Henderson sends a perfect pass to Firmino who darts into space and holds off the challenge of Capoue inside the area and then crosses low for Mane to hook into the net from just inside the six yard box to make it 5-0!

Mane is taken off to a standing ovation with Wijnaldum coming on– he must be disappointed that he never stayed on for the chance to complete his hat-trick, the way he has started this season that day will surely come sooner rather than later.

Watford had absolutely come to play today and have been cut to shreds as a result but they continue to try with a good full stretch save by Karius keeping out Capoue’s curler through a crowd of bodies followed by another smart save by Karius, this time thwarting Deeney as he got his toe to a Watford cross. A third save by Karius was the best of the three with the young keeper taking the sting out of a Capoue shot after he had been put clean though on goal by Deeney, Milner producing the final clearance away from our goal line.

Watford were not to be denied and sadly again we had conceded a goal as Watford’s Janmaat slides a long range low effort into the corner with Karius having no chance – Klopp and the fans were not amused to concede another goal at 5-0 to make the score 5-1.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge then attempted to smash the ball into the net from a tight angle but unluckily hit the crossbar. Still looking for his first league goal of this campaign. Sturridge seems determined to get his goal and proceeds to curl a shot into the corner but Watford substitute keeper Pantilimon reads the flight of the shot and saves well.

Another great move ends with Clyne laying a great chance for Coutinho to make it six but he hits the ball way over the bar and is then taken off to a standing ovation with league debutant Ovie Ejaria coming onto replace him.

The unlucky Sturridge smacks the crossbar again, this time with a first time curler from about 20 yards after a neat one-two with Wijnaldum, Firmino’s follow up is save by the keeper’s legs.

Sturridge may not have got his goal today but he can say he had a great part to play in number six. As it was his great shot which the keeper parries for Wijnaldum to finally break his goal-scoring duck as a LFC player to make it 6-1– hopefully that can now kick start his career.

What an emphatic win, a great performance all round – only downside is the lack of being able to avoid conceding goals.

The 6-1 win takes us to the top of the league after 11 league games – still early days but lets enjoy being back at the top of the perch!!

Man of the match – yet again our little magician Coutinho – he has added consistency and regular goals to his already excellent repertoire of skills and tricks.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Karius: Clyne, Lucas, Matip, Milner: Henderson, Can, Lallana (Sturridge 70mins): Mane (Wijnaldum 63mins), Firmino, Coutinho (Ejaria 86mins)

Subs not used: Mignolet (GK), Klavan, Moreno, Origi,

WATFORD (3-5-2): Gomes (Pantilimon 33mins): Janmaat, Kaboul, Britos: Amrabat, Behrami (Watson 60mins), Capoue, Pereyra, Capoue, Holebas: Igalho, Deeney

Subs not used: Mariappa, Guedioura, Zuniga, Sinclair, Kabasele

Goals – Mane (27), Coutinho (30), Mane (43)

Booked – Holebas, Britos, Wijnaldum

Attendance – 53,163

Referee – Michael Oliver

Special mentions:-

Milner – Came back into the side and produced a solid defensive performance and supported the attack by providing width at every opportunity.

The fantastic four including Coutinho – (Firmino, Lallana, Mane) again are destroying teams in the Premier League long may it continue, no one can handle or pace, power and pressure and performances at the moment – lets keep pushing every single week lads !!!

Karius – Had his first very good game but will still be disappointed to concede a goal

Wijnaldum – Very pleased that he got his first goal for the club

Can – Delighted that he has made it two in two league games.

Sturridge – Looked a constant threat when he came on and so unlucky today not to get his first league goal of the season – it will surely come very soon !!!

Manager Jurgen Klopp’s view:-

“We will stay cool. It’s the best position I can imagine but we didn’t speak one word about possibility of going top before the game. We knew Arsenal draw with Tottenham but we did not speak about it. The only thing you can do is work and stay concentrated. A lot of things can happen in the next weeks and months.

“There is no pressure after 11 match days, absolutely no pressure. We saw Chelsea playing yesterday, quite impressive. We saw Manchester City playing Barcelona, quite impressive. Manchester United, never write them off. Tottenham are a very good side.

“I’m not sure if I forgot anyone. You can have a good season and be fifth and I'm sure no-one will be happy with that. Stay cool, take the things like they are, play your best, win games, that's the only thing we can do. When I came here I asked for time and patience and belief and after 11 match days everyone's asking for guarantees and they are not there. The only thing we have is a pretty good football team.”

Despite 30 goals in 11 games – the most the club has scored after 11 games during the Premier League era – Klopp warned Liverpool will only maintain their momentum by striving for more.

“They have to. I know how it sounds. It’s not that we have to score more goals, of course not, but you saw we lost a little bit of concentration at 5-0,” said Klopp.

“It is not often you have a situation to fight to win the league. Of course you can do better but there is not much to criticise. We scored more goals, that is OK, but we wasted a bit of energy by giving them balls. We had to defend and Watford deserved the goal because they created a few chances and Loris [Karius] was really busy, which in a game you win 6-1 is not really likely. A lot of things you can improve but a lot of things work really well.”

“It as a good performance against a difficult opponent,” said Klopp.

That is exactly how I expected our manager to react to keep everything in perspective and let the lads know they just need to continue doing the right things in the pitch every week and lets see how far it takes us at the end of the season.