Despite all the off-field controversies surrounding Pedro Chirivella not having international clearance to play in the 2-0 League Cup win over MK Dons, it was a night where the young stars shone in the first team.But going back to the start of this group of games brings us to a meeting with Newcastle in early September, when Liverpool’s front three showed their quality once again as top corner finishes and flamboyant Brazilian flicks were the highlights of a comfortable 3-1 win.
Fast forward five hours, the whole of East Anglia and Merseyside exploded with shock and joy (maybe not the blue half of both regions) hearing that Man City fell at the hands of Norwich City. It felt like one of the defining days this season as it showed us all what we wouldn’t have believed this time last year, that Guardiola’s City are penetrable.Guardiola’s statement “congratulation Liverpool you are the champions” was clear evidence of how damaging a day this was for Man City, and more importantly how pivotal a day this could be for Liverpool’s season.Where Liverpool may be in Pep’s head, certainly Napoli will be that itch at the back of Klopp’s head he can’t reach. Once again, the Italian side performed the perfect game plan to beat Klopp’s Liverpool as they were dogged when they needed to be with particularly Kalidou Koulibaly outstanding.At the other end of the pitch they were clinical, though with assistance from VAR after Jose Callejon made the most of Robertson sticking out a leg to make a challenge. A last minute second for the Italian reinforced the issue Liverpool have had away from home in the Champions League; since the start of last season the Reds have lost five out of their seven away games.
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Though this worrying statistic can be put into perspective, even with this poor away form Liverpool still lifted the European Cup, but it does need to improve as Liverpool are probably going to need results at Genk and Red Bull Salzburg to qualify from this very open group.Where VAR acted the villain in Naples, against Chelsea five days later as a Cesar Azpilicueta’s equaliser could have changed the flow of the game. Instead a ferocious free kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside a resilient second half made sure Liverpool passed one of their hardest examinations of the season. Who knew it would actually get tougher.
But first a chance for the youngsters to impress as Rhian Brewster, Curtis Jones and 16-year-old Harvey Elliot came into the first team for the 3rd round of the League Cup game against MK Dons. The seamless transition from youth to men’s football symbolised the harmony between the academy and first team.When you get a week with a top six clash followed by a League Cup match what’s the ideal next fixture? Probably not an early trip to the cold, rainy mist of South Yorkshire to face Sheffield United.Yet there was something quite poetic about Manchester United loanne’s goalkeeper Dean Henderson error literally handed Liverpool victory, as if United fans haven’t got enough to complain about this season. Gini Wijnaldum’s jammy winner brought reminisce of what Liverpool fans had to endure through the Ferguson era of last-minute winners and unorthodox goals winning games for United.Where Liverpool may have been praised for their conservativeness in the Premier League, they can also be classed complacent when the Champions League music started playing at Anfield ahead of facing FC Red Salzburg. Their last defensive performance at home to Barcelona compared to the one against Red Bull Salzburg was day and night. From being 3-0 up the Reds sensationally threw it away and then won it again in a circus of a game 4-3.
For all the criticism post-match it was another statement that this Liverpool side is so flexible that it can win any type of football match. Whether it is a war of attrition to scrap for a 1-0 ugly away win or high scoring basketball games, Liverpool have shown their adaptability. In a way Jurgen Klopp’s man showed all these qualities in the last game before the international break, which was the one all Liverpool fans were both cautious and looking forward to. The return of Brendan.Arguably it was the best Liverpool had played in this group of games, the pressing and movement was back to its best. This is when having all the quality is one thing, but character is another. Liverpool showed this in abundance to get the winner in the 95th minute when Sadio Mane’s determination earned his side a penalty to clinch a vital 2-1 victory.After the Norwich debacle lightning struck twice when Wolverhampton Wanderers stunned the Etihad by beating Man City 2-0. It was the perfect end to a run of games where Liverpool showed their muscle.So, according to Einstein for once other football fans are being driven insane by Liverpool rather than Kopites fearing the worst.Could the last block of fixtures be crucial for Liverpool’s season, by the sounds of it Pep thinks so.Article by Jake Clay – @thescousemouse9
