Liverpool moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after a mammoth 3-1 victory over title rivals Manchester City.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
First half goals from Fabinho and Mohammed Salah as well as a second-half header from Sadio Mane were enough to see off the current Premier League champions.
A late fightback from Manchester City saw Bernardo Silva pull one back but ultimately Jurgen Klopp’s side had too much quality and cruised to all three points.
Klopp was thrilled with the performance and had no qualms over the importance of the victory.
He said:
“A nice one huh! If you want to win against City, which really, really difficult for each team in the world you cannot play the way they play.
“They are definitely the best at the way they play so it would make no sense.”
He added: “We had to push through our way and it was wild in the opening stages.
“Everybody was trying to come into the game but was under pressure from the other team.
“Intense from the first the first second and you could sense it was really important for both teams.”
Of course nobody, especially Klopp, is delusional enough to believe that the title was won at Anfield on Sunday night.
However, psychologically the boost it should give Klopp’s men will be invaluable as the season progresses and individual stand out performances should give strong belief that this side is good enough to win every game.
One player who needs highlighting following Sunday’s triumph is Trent Alexander-Arnold, not just for his offensive output but his defensive quality as well.
There has been a narrative surrounding the full-back that his defensive/offensive imbalance holds him back from being truly world-class and even after today’s battle with Raheem Sterling, similar stories were spun.
Despite this media frenzy, Alexander-Arnold restricted Sterling to zero shots on target throughout the whole match and the winger also failed to create a single chance for his teammates either.
On top of this Alexander-Arnold played a fantastic cross-field ball to fellow full-back Robertson to set Liverpool on their way to the 2nd goal and was involved in the build-up to Mane’s header in the second half.
There is no doubt that Alexander-Arnold needs to work on his defensive game but whilst he’s producing world-class attacking performances on top of being defensively solid he will continue to be a vital cog in the red machine.
One player that allows such performances from the reds most potent attacking outlet is Sunday’s Man of the Match, Fabinho.
Fabinho’s job is by no means to cover for Liverpool’s marauding full backs but the anchor that he provides in the middle of the pitch is crucial in providing stability that has been lacking since Javier Mascherano departed in 2010.
His overall dominance is clear in his defensive output with a massive five tackles and two interceptions as well as completing 30/36 passes, Fabinho creates a platform that allows Liverpool to perform; a platform that was missed in the away fixture at the Etihad last season.
Klopp did not make the same mistake and Fabinho repaid his decision with a world-class performance and most importantly a world-class goal.
Fabinho’s 30-yard screamer set Liverpool on their way at Anfield but the goal was surrounded with controversy that sent Pep Guardiola stark crazy.
The goal was under VAR review following a potential handball at the other end that would’ve resulted in a Manchester City penalty.
However, the handball was deemed accidental and the goal was allowed to stand and the Manchester City manager’s reaction was childlike both during and after the game where he bombarded the ref with sarcastic thank you’s. A reaction that was clearly noticed by Klopp.
He said:
“I’ve not seen the penalty situation but I’ve been told that the first handball was from Bernardo Silva. But I can’t imagine it’s a situation Pep is really pleased with.
He added with a Klopp smile: “Our reaction was 22 seconds later to score.”
Overall, today’s win may one day be viewed as Liverpool’s biggest in the last 30 years; to gain an eight point lead at the top and nine points cver Manchester City is massive in terms of the title race.
However, Klopp and his players will not get ahead of themselves and neither should Liverpool fans as with a slip in concentration comes an opportunity for the chasing pack.
Klopp’s side must stay fully focused on the task at hand and keep performing at the level that has put them in their strongest position in decades.
Thus, Liverpool must enjoy this day for what it is, a massive victory against a major title rival but they should refocus over the international break and treat the next game against Crystal Palace with as much intensity as Manchester City.
If Henderson & Co continue to do that then one must think that come May there must some Silverware heading to Anfield.
Brandon Russell
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