Tuesday 5th November - The Reds 2-1 Genk
Remember, remember, the 5th of November, they say. Well I don't think anyone will remember much of this game in a few months time. All in all, that was about as pedestrian as a football match can be. We didn't just have one eye on Sunday, but both eyes plus a pair of bifocals. Understandable, but at the end of the day it's another 3 points putting us in a more than decent position to win the group. This should have been Divock's testimonial. I reckon he'll struggle to get a game in his actual testimonial.
The good first, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain. Thought he was excellent tonight. The fact he came off with 20 to go makes me think he is bang in contention to play at the weekend. He's had a bit of success against Citeh in the past which might well be on the bosses mind. You'd think it'll be Fabinho, Henderson, and a straight battle between the Ox and Gini for the third spot. Me personally, I think I'd go with Gini still. The tried and tested, keeps it better but probably doesn't offer you that explosiveness and goal threat that you get with the Ox. I just think Klopp has that trust with Gini, he'll be a 6 or a 7 every week whereas at the moment, Chambo is either a 9 or a 4. That being said, he's definitely getting back to his pre injury form, and is a massive weapon off the bench when tired legs are kicking in. Took his goal brilliantly tonight, could have taken the easy option and laid it off, but he was having none of it. Love the confidence.
Now the bad, and I'm aware this is probably going to be controversial, but Mo Salah is a slight concern for me at the moment. It might be a bit of rust coming back from his couple of niggles, it might just be a lack of fitness in general, but he doesn't look right to me. Hasn't looked like the Salah I know for most of this season if I'm being totally honest. I have a theory that he might not be all that enamoured by the constant lauding that Mane is getting, and as a result of that, is trying way too hard to be the main man again. Say what you like about the argument they had at Burnley being swept under the carpet, forgotten about etc, but I'm not so sure. There has always been competition between the front 3, less so Firmino because he's the nicest bloke on the planet, but you can tell at times both Sadio and Mo want to be 'the man', the golden boot winner, the player of the year, the man they're all talking about. Salah snatched at a couple of chances tonight that he would normally slot in with his eyes closed. He got into lots of good positions and was a constant threat as he always is, but for whatever reason his final ball or touch just isn't where it should be. Maybe with Mane on the bench he saw this as his opportunity to stamp his authority back, it just looked like someone trying too hard to me. Maybe I should remember that we are unbeaten and top of the league, and going along well in the Champions League, there isn't all that much to complain about is there? It's just Mo has set such ridiculously high standards since he joined us, that I expect him to score every week.
Was a strange old game tonight. The whole atmosphere and tempo of it just screamed 'massive game in a few days time'. The calm before the storm, if you like. But, the result was all that mattered tonight, along with giving some of the regulars like Robbo and Sadio a well deserved rest. I would like a few more clean sheets, that's 9 games now since the last one, which I believe was away at Sheffield United. That will definitely be irritating Virgil more than anyone. Sunday would be a good place to start. In the meantime, fingers crossed for a couple of hamstring niggles for De Bruyne and Sterling tonight, and I'll be back for the big one on Sunday. Up the Reds!
Ratings
Big Ali - Might have been a blessing that we had that mad 5 minutes before half time, as I was worried we might have to defrost the poor bloke for Sunday. Had nothing to do really, other than pick the ball out of the net and collect a few crosses. 6.
Milly - Gave Robbo a rest and that was his best contribution. Solid, dependable, massive square head. 6.
Virgil - Class tonight. A couple of interceptions that he made look extremely simple. He makes everything look simple. He can probably fly planes and cook to Michelin Star standards as well as play football really well. 8.
Gomez - He was okay, but he has a tendency to get way too tight at the moment and gets rolled. Stop it Joey. We need the Gomez back who was the next Bobby Moore before that clown at Burnley snapped his leg. 6.
Trent - I almost get bored talking about how good this kid is, passing is an absolute disgrace. Should be illegal. My twitter feed is essentially now just videos of him spraying diagonals and taking the piss. He's a right back, by the way. 8.
Fabs - Thought he was a bit sloppy tonight, got caught on it a few times and passing wasn't as crisp as it usually is. Watch him smash people all over the place and boss it on Sunday. 6.
Naby - I just want MORE. He does some things well and looks like a proper player, but I just don't know what it is, I'm always left wanting so much more. Still reckon he's too lightweight myself. 6.
Gini - Left his invisibility cloak at home today. Was very good, took his goal well, linked nicely with the forward boys too. 7.
Ox - MOM for me. Everything he did had purpose. Always driving forward. Took his goal well. Goes home to that bird from Little Mix, winning at life. 8.
Salah - Not at his best. Scratchy and snatchy. Hoping he'll bag a hatty at the weekend and make me look like a right mug. 6.
Divock - Perfect, stereotypical Origi showing. You look up and he's just skinned 2 blokes with a stepover, you blink, and he's fallen over his own feet. What a bloke. 6.
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