How Jurgen Klopp would surface the final XI had been the talk of the day before the start of the clash against Leicester City. They lost the majority of their performers through injuries and it is said, during the tough times, the best show their true nature. Klopp and his men displayed the best of character at Anfield and scripted a clinical 3-0 victory.
The way Liverpool played, one could not even feel that this team is going through a crisis, but in the end, one can start thinking, the Reds could be the 27th side in English League history successfully to defend their crown.
A quarter of the way through the season, their record unbeaten home run extended to 64 games - a run which, remarkably, stretches back to April 2017 – a world of fans in stadiums, of Sam Allardyce and Christian Benteke celebrating.
In 2017, none even thought that Liverpool can break the jinx.
And, if Liverpool could defend their title then that would be staggering than the feat of the previous season!
No Virgil van Dijk, no Joe Gomez, no Trent Alexander-Arnold, no Jordan Henderson, no Thiago Alcantara, and no Mohamed Salah – Klopp had to adjust the lineup with the available players fit and free from COVID-19. Such things are never easy in a year where the schedules are hectic and invite injuries in the background of a pandemic. Still, Klopp showed, he could organize things and had no intention to lose the momentum.
The Reds came good.
The dynamic full-backs – Andy Robertson and James Milner maintained their rhythm, the frontline never lost their cutting edge, the midfield kept up their creativity and compactness while the defence never lost their shape under pressure – Fabinho and Joel Matip had been fantastic.
Leicester had won all four of their away Premier League games this season, but once they fell behind to Jonny Evans' unfortunate own goal – the sixth of his top-flight career – they never looked likely to keep up with the pace and pressing of Liverpool.
Before the unfortunate Evans own-goal, Sadio Mane headed into the side-netting and Curtis Jones tested Kasper Schmeichel from a tight angle – this intent hinted what the Reds were up to and they would not put a foot on the back paddle throughout the night.
Jota made it 2-0 just before half-time, becoming the first Reds player in history to score in his first four Anfield league games, and from there it was plain sailing, Liverpool finally adding a third late on through Roberto Firmino – the Brazilian have previously hit the post twice.
Although Liverpool lost Naby Keita to an apparent hamstring problem early in the second half, they continued to dominate and carve out chances.
Adversity always brings the best out of the best – Klopp is showing what he and his men are made of – The Reds are here to defend their title! Whatever it takes!
Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 23/11/2020 Injuries? No problem, Liverpool mean business!
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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