LOSSL PENALTY SAVE IS HIGHLIGHT BUT LIVERPOOL CLASS TELLS IN END
Substitutes Elias Kachunga
- Flattered to deceive on his introduction - 6 Florent Hadergjonaj
- Struggled to make an impact - 6 Steve Mounié Still looks off the pace after his injury lay-off - 6 JURGEN KLOPP got the better of best friend David Wagner as three second-half goals enabled Liverpool to defeat Town at Anfield.
Town’s gameplan of stifling their opponents worked to perfection in the first half, with the home side’s frustration further exacerbated by Jonas Lossl’s penalty save from Mohamed Salah.
However, a fortuitous break off the head of Tommy Smith led to Daniel Sturridge opening the scoring just after the interval, with Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum sealing the win.
After last week’s ‘extraordinary’ performance at home to Manchester United there was just one change to Town’s starting line-up for the trip to Merseyside.
Rajiv van La Parra replaced Elias Kachunga on the right flank, with the DR Congo international overcoming his back injury but having to settle for a place on the bench.
And while it was a case of maintaining consistency for the Terriers, it was anything but for Klopp and his Liverpool side in the buildup to the clash.
Throughout the week there was talk of the Reds’ defensive woes, with much-maligned Dejan Lovren initially named in the starting XI before mysteriously dropping to the bench prior to kick-off.
The Croatian had more than a hint of a ‘thousand-yard stare’ about him during the warm-up and, on Halloween weekend, it was perhaps perfectly acceptable to fear the prospect of facing the in-form beast that is Laurent Depoitre.
Yet after the traditional rousing rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and a bungled minute’s silence for Armistice Day (courtesy of referee Kevin Friend) both sides seemed to settle into a game of few chances.
Town’s similar shape from last weekend, the compact five-man midfield without the ball, restricted and frustrated the hosts’ chances in the final third.
And with the Anfield crowd appearing restless, Klopp quickly changed his formation to 4-3-3 to no avail as Town continued to show good discipline at the back.
It could hardly be called ‘parking the bus’ though, with Town’s forwards still willing to gnaw away at Liverpool’s defence at every opportunity – particularly van La Parra on Reds stopper Simon