Football News: Maribor v Liverpool Match Review - A Liverpool Perspective
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Maribor v Liverpool
After months of threatening to spank someone, Liverpool finally did so. While Maribor are not the best team in the Champions League, they are not the worst either and to beat them 7(seven)-0 was an excellent result, especially away from home. However it means nothing if the team do not build on it!
The most important thing about this game was not the number of goals scored or the, sometimes, scintillating attacks, but the professional, balanced approach taken. This was a comprehensive and demoralising defeat for Maribor, who were never in the game. An early goal killed the game and they tried to push forward, which just opened up gaps at the back for Liverpool to stretch the lead.
After the first couple of goals went in they were shellshocked and had nothing, not even the usual lapses in concentration of a team well in front, to give them hope. While there were the odd slack pass, Can was always there, busting a gut to get back at them and break up anything they tried to do.
Klopp - not sure what more he could do with that game. An easy win with his team dominating from start to finish.
Karius - probably the only player who will have been unhappy with such a dominating performance as it gave him no chance to prove himself! He could have got out a deckchair and the cigars for all the work he was given to do.
Alexander-Arnold - not sure why he is not taking deadballs, but, other than that, it was an easy night for the lad but he needs to work on his heading. He misjudged a couple of headers last night and it is not the first time. There is a problem there, he is being caught out aerially. Other than that though, it was a good confident performance.
Matip - I said after Man Utd's visit to Anfield that he will probably not have many easier games in his career, only for the very next match to be even easier! It was a walk in the park for him, he was untroubled apart from one free kick where both centre backs got drawn under the ball leaving an overload at the back stick, which Maribor did not make the most of.
Lovren - a good confidence booster for him. No silly errors to speak of and he kept them extremely quiet.
Moreno - always offered an option, but was more restrained than usual, waiting for the right time to charge forward. Much better performance though his shooting left a bit to be desired.
Can - Emre was the main reason the victory was by such a big margin as he physically dominated and bullied their midfield for the full 90 minutes. He was mostly holding, but still managed to charge forward a few times and showed some real pace to get across and close down. An excellent performance in a position that he seems to be our best bet for.
Wijnaldum - he was the disappointment of the night for me. Not that he was that bad, but he just never got involved enough. Needs to do more.
Milner - it was a great performance by Milner. He was disciplined and professional throughout. Knew his role and performed it well. While he had more freedom than Can and used it to pop up all over the pitch, he also made sure to drop into a deep position if Can did get forward.
Salah - excellent again. His pace is insane. It was why we scored the first, as he reached a ball he should have got nowhere near, completely catching out the defender who thought he was going to get to it in plenty of time.
Firmino - superb performance and scored some goals too. He is at the heart of everything good Liverpool do.
Coutinho - despite not being at his best, he still showed flashes of that quality he possesses. Signs that he is recovering his form at times there.
Subs:
Oxlade-Chamberlain - came on nice and early in the 57th minute to ensure Salah is well rested for the weekend. However he failed to build on his good showing against United, despite the goal. I know the game was won and there was no need to bust a gut, but there were times when he could have made runs but settled for doing nothing. It should not matter to a player on the fringes of the team whether we are at 7-0 up, 0-0 or 8 down, they should be giving it everything to get in the team. He did not do that. Shame as he was so promising at the weekend.
Sturridge - allowed Firmino to join Salah in taking a rest in the 68th minute. Still looks short of being ready but I have to say well done for his unselfish pass to Ox to score when he is on 99 career goals. The temptation to just hit it and look to make it 100 must have been huge, but he chose the right option.
Solanke - had a decent cameo for the final quarter of an hour as he took Wijnaldum's place in the 76th minute. Did ok, but the game was at walking pace by that point so it was difficult for him to offer much.
Written by Tris Burke October 18 2017 10:21:23