THREE AND EASY FOR THE REDS
MIDFIELDER CLIMBS OFF SICK BED TO TAKE KOP TOP AGAIN
GINI WIJNALDUM climbed out of his sickbed to breathe new life into Liverpool’s title bid.
The Holland midfielder scored a brilliant goal as the Reds got the benefit of another dodgy decision to move three points clear of Manchester City, who play Chelsea today, at the top of the table.
Wijnaldum had been a big doubt for the game after being stricken with a bug just 48 hours before kick-off, and was kept away from Liverpool’s team hotel on Friday night as a precaution.
But Kop boss Jurgen Klopp said: “Gini was not at
AS Gini Wijnaldum grinned and waited for the love, Jurgen Klopp, stern-faced, pointed and shouted at his players.
The immediate message in the wake of Wijnaldum’s delicious goal was not clear, but the lasting one was shiningly obvious.
This is now business, serious business. No scope for easing off, no let-up, keep on going for the jugular.
Not until Mohamed Salah added a third soon after half-time did Klopp allow himself a smile and a chest bump, for good measure.
And, of course, he was his usual fist-pumping, air-chinning, ebullient self at the end of heavily one-sided proceedings.
He knew this particular job was done, celebrated it in the manner he routinely does, but knows more arduous tests lie ahead.
This, though, was the sort of imperious canter that will give them the perfect fillip ahead of engagements with Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Just as they have been for a long while, Liverpool remain in the box seat, the Premier League title theirs to lose.
And if they could play Bournemouth every week, it would be a formality, such was the tameness of opposition resistance.
But, after the flatness of draws against West Ham United and Leicester City, at least Liverpool’s effervescence returned.
And few were bubblier than Salah, who has patented the finish into the far corner while leaning to his right. The goalkeeper – in this
case an unpredictable Artur Boruc – knows exactly what Salah is going to do, but is powerless to prevent the scoring outcome.
Somehow, there is a perception in some quarters that Salah’s form has been slightly underwhelming this season.
That is, of course, a falsehood based on his almost surreal contribution to the 2017-18 campaign.
Salah has been as key to Liverpool’s progress this season as he was last term. That is now 17 Premier League goals in 25 appearances, a class-leading return.
But in a mood like this – irresistible – the havoc he creates also opens the door for others.
After heading the opening goal, Sadio Mane should have further fattened his account, while Naby Keita also resisted an invitation to boost his confidence. Salah himself cracked one against the crossbar when long odds-on to strike his 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool.
It was down to Wijnaldum to demonstrate the finishing art when he collected Andy Robertson’s pass and lifted a lob over the statuesque Boruc.
It is hard to overestimate the importance of Wijnaldum to Klopp’s process.
His intelligence and energy provide a perfect link between this vastly improved defence and peerless attack.
He has developed into an integral part of the Liverpool system.
When Salah complemented Wijnaldum’s finish to make it three just a few minutes after the break, the chance to make some serious inroads into Manchester City’s goal difference advantage stared Liverpool in the face.
Among others, Roberto Firmino failed to take that opportunity. But in the instance when he allowed Boruc to fall on his effort, Firmino’s running partner was Virgil van Dijk. It was a cameo that, in a stadium that responded to requests for a touch more fervour, signalled the return of Liverpool’s swagger.
For all the talk of a slump, it pays to remember they have lost just ONE league match this season.
Klopp admitted he was not happy with the two previous performances, but the odd blip is inevitable.
And, in the remaining 12 matches, Klopp’s team is unlikely to have many assignments this straightforward.
But if the momentum had stalled, it is back with Liverpool now.
One of those who restored it, Wijnaldum, had been suffering with a sickness bug 24 hours earlier.
A day later, he helped remind people that Liverpool’s title challenge is in rude health.
Klopp was his usual fist-pumping, air-chinning, ebullient self