Sunday 27th October - The Reds 2-1 Spurs
Apart from the first 47 seconds, and the last 15 minutes, that was a sensational performance. We could have, probably should have, won by 4 or 5. And that's despite Spurs being a crossbar width away from making it 2-0. Fine margins in this game. I warned everyone midweek not to get too giddy at the prospect of seeing the Ox or Naby start today, it was never likely to happen. Klopp trusts this midfield, and who can argue with the results? Hendo was absolutely rancid for 45 minutes, then he pops up with the equaliser and everyone forgives his clumsy dawdling which led to them taking the lead before most of us had even sat down.
The big difference between this Liverpool team and Liverpool sides I've watched in the past, is the lack of panic I feel when we go a goal down. I was still totally confident we would win that game, even at half time. Was a proper game of football, that. Quick, incisive, full of passion and power. The crowd got into it, the players responded, and we absolutely dominated all over the pitch. Fabinho was absolutely immense. What a footballer. Say what you like about Spurs this season but any side able to field a 4-pronged attack of Eriksen, Alli, Son and Kane, is going to carry a serious threat. Fabinho single handedly snuffed them out at times. He broke up play, he dictated the tempo, he was absolutely everywhere. He is the catalyst for the crowd noise at times. Nothing gets the Kop going like watching a bloke busting his guts to get back and make a crunching tackle. First name on the team sheet.
Trent and Robbo copped a bit of stick at Old Trafford last week. They were back on it in a big way today. Trent might actually be the best passer of a ball I've ever seen from full back. It's bordering on ridiculous. That switch to Robbo he plays 20 times a game stretches teams to death. Pulls it off every time. He just has so much ability it's almost impossible to imagine he'll spend his whole career in the back four. The kid could 100% play in midfield. His quality from wide areas is second only to De Bruyne in this league. Robbo got himself much further forward than he did against United, a little bit lacking in the final ball at times, but he's such a threat. I predicted that Serge Aurier would have his hands full with Sadio today, and so it proved with the penalty. Sadio must be an absolute nightmare to defend against. So strong, so quick, so direct. He doesn't always get the headlines that Salah does, but he's arguably more important to how we play.
That's another big test out of the way, with the City game looming large. What an occasion that will be. Anfield will be absolutely rocking. It's all about getting to that game with the six point lead intact now. I'm so much more confident this season that we're better than them and we'll turn them over. I can't see currently how they'll live with us going forwards, with the injuries they have. I cannot wait. Next assignment is the League Cup game against Arsenal on Wednesday, where I imagine we'll see Naby and The Ox again, and probably a few of the kids. Should be a good watch. I'll be back for that, in the meantime as always, up the Reds!
Ratings
Big Ali - The calmest bloke on the planet. Can do nothing with the goal, didn't have masses to do after it. Did well to force Son wide and not bring him down, and a couple of good late holds under pressure. Huge presence. 7.
Trent - Passing is a joke. Just absolutely phenomenal quality. The ball for Sadio's header was a knife, fork, plate and tray for your lap job. Class today, a huge weapon for us when he's on it. 8.
Deji - I don't ever expect much from the bloke, but Kane bullied him at times. Wasn't terrible, but wasn't great either. Virgil looks twice the player when Lovren doesn't play, and that tells its own story. 6.
Virgil - Headed chance was a sitter by his standards. Got to score. Got caught on it and gave it away a couple of times, by his ridiculously high standards, not at his best. I blame Lovren. 6.
Robbo - Just runs his arse off every week. Probably doing a half marathon round the Albert Dock as we speak. Should have done better with his final ball at times but still such a threat. 7.
Gini - Pretty average. Why's he not getting a shot off in the box second half? Got around the pitch well like he always does, but Fabinho is holding this midfield together at the moment. 6.
Fabs - Awesome. What a player. He was absolutely everywhere. Goes under the radar how good he is with the ball. Was clipping through balls to Mo like Alonso at one point. Sublime. MOM. 9.
Hendo - Rotten for 45. At fault for their goal, gave it away a lot and was playing right wing at times. Then he slices in that volley, all is forgiven, better than Gerrard. 7.
Egyptian King - Nearly missed the ball, he tried hitting that pen so hard. Constant threat, loves playing against Spurs. 7.
Bobby - Worked his bollocks off. Ties everything together. Does so much that goes unnoticed and allows Mo and Sadio to run riot. 7.
Sadio - Had Aurier on toast. Never gives up a lost cause, has absolutely no right to pinch that ball for the pen. He's just a right pain in the arse. 8.
Subs.
Got to be honest, didn't even see anyone come on, was too busy chewing my nails. Think I saw slab head Milner get booked at some point, couldn't tell you what for. Who cares, they all get a 10.
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