LALLANA’S LEAP
Adam continues stunning rise as Mignolet keeps clean sheet
SO it turns out Jurgen Klopp called this one wrong: Loris Karius could have played and the final result would not have been in any semblance of danger.
in fact, Klopp could actually have played without anyone between the posts for much of this contest and the outcome would still have been the same. After 72 hours talking about goalkeepers, Liverpool’s manager left Middlesbrough talking about goals. Ruthlessly efficient and devastatingly clinical, Liverpool took Boro apart and the only man to head back to Merseyside with misgivings was Karius, who spent 90 minutes sat behind his manager brooding as Simon Mignolet, his replacement, was barely troubled.
Mignolet, himself no stranger to troubled times at Anfield, had the best view of all as Liverpool regained the winning habit, out-passing and outclassing their hosts. they scored three — two from Adam Lallana, one from Divock Origi — but might have finished with six.
‘i’m thrilled with the result,’ said Klopp. ‘the performance was really good. i know how strong Loris is. i’m not interested in public pressure, i am interested in the boy. is he fine? Not too much. You can imagine that he did immediately not want a hug.’
For all the hullabaloo around him it has been easy to lose sight of one thing: Karius had come under fire because he has cost his title-chasing team priceless points.
Given that Chelsea are setting a relentless pace, Klopp had to act. this has been a bogey ground, a stadium that has frequently caused them grief. the last time they were here, in February 2009, defeat was fatal to Liverpool’s title charge.
Klopp, then, could not afford to gamble. Middlesbrough might have their limitations but they do not lay down the welcome mat for visitors. there was a feeling within the away dressing room that this may prove to be one of their most difficult assignments of the campaign.
What is stopping Boro from pulling away from the relegation zone is their inability to take chances; they are solid and work like trojans but are the league’s lowest scorers.
‘i can’t say anything bad about my players, they gave everything,’ said Aitor Karanka. ‘Running and fighting, but Liverpool made it so difficult. Like Chelsea, they are the candidates to win the league. We have played all the top teams and they are as good as any.’
Boro had plenty of possession in the early skirmishes and pushed Liverpool back but the closest they came was when Alvaro Negredo received a pass on the edge of the area, but he was immediately closed down by Dejan Lovren.
Soon enough, Liverpool began to find their rhythm. the feeling began to grow that, before long, they would make their superiority tell.
At times Liverpool were guilty of over-elaboration. One pass on the edge of the area turned into two or three when what was required was someone to test Victor Valdes. Klopp frequently spun on his heels in frustration, grimacing when chances were squandered.
then it all changed. Just before the half-hour, Mane saw Nathaniel Clyne scurrying forward and urged him to carry on his run; the full back never broke his stride and provided a perfect cross to the back post where Lallana planted a header, his fifth goal of the campaign.
Had Viktor Fischer been able to muster an immediate riposte, things might have changed but Mignolet made a plunging save and momentum stayed with Liverpool.
Mane raced clear of Ben Gibson but his left-footed drive hit the woodwork. Klopp need not have worried. Liverpool resumed in the same mood, calm, efficient, passing the ball in triangles that left Boro seeing stars and in the 61st minute, they killed the game when Origi finished Lallana’s pinpoint cross.
Soon after the favour was repaid. Referee Jon Moss allowed play to go on after Gibson had clattered into Mane and Origi picked out Lallana at the back post, who rifled with his left foot. By now, Klopp was a picture of happiness. All was right with the world once more.
‘Not bad, eh?’ Klopp said with a telling grin. it was better than that. Much better.