Newcastle 0 - 1 Liverpool:
A trip to the North East against a Newcastle team high on confidence backed by their highly vocal and loyal fan base.. This was not going to be easy.. On the other hand it wasn't particularly difficult.. Bear with me..
When the team selection came out there were a few raised eyebrows.. Milner was in the midfield alongside Hendo and Naby Keita.. Joe Gomez came in at right back and Salah was rested from the front 3..
Klopp we knew would make changes with a massive second leg coming up in mid week against Villarreal and this midfield trio have actually done bits together already this season. They had teamed up against Man United, Watford & Athletic Madrid before this victory scoring 14-2 on aggregate.. Not bad..
Joe Gomez:
The one thing you get every time from Joe Gomez is a solid defensive display.. Once again in a hard away game this is a nice go to tactic.. He's operated there quite a few times this season slotting in nicely at right back next to Matip & Virg..
He's found it hard to break into that CB role with the emergence of Konate but he's got the pace to get up and down that wing and his delivery isn't bad either.
Naby Keita:
The game started as you'd expect against a Newcastle team playing well. They tried to press us from the off.. Which against the masters of the press you'd expect us to know something about playing out of.. Which of course we did..
After their initial efforts we gathered ourselves and cut through them quite easily. Keita was guilty of not setting Robbo up for a tap in early on after a break down the right. When he shot with the left back unmarked at the back post.
After a crunching tackle from Milner he put this to the back of our minds though. The ball fell to Hendo who found Keita open on the right wing. Naby played a nice one two with Jota to find himself open in the box.. He gave the keeper the eyes and faked a shot to open himself up for a simple tap in between 2 Newcastle defenders legs.. Great composure from our number 8..
Game Over:
After the goal Liverpool really gained control and did what they have done well at all season. Keeping the ball and trying to pick teams off on the counter.. Yes this wasn't an easy game in the fact they were second in the form guides behind ourselves and their fans can make it a right hot bed of a ground to play in..
Yet their team is still so far behind ours. They are a multi billion pound work in progress and with this knowledge they will surely be a force in a few seasons time but we had a job to do.. Klopp selection was excellent..
If we can show the composure on counter attacks that Naby showed with his finish the scoreline would have looked like a cricket score.. Jota had some great chances. One top quality header and a couple where he could have squared for a tap in..
Mane missed one just past the near post after some great work from Joe Gomez down the right wing. Cutting a lovely ball back into Sadio's path that everyone thought would hit the back of the net..
All in all a great result. 3 massive points and we are off to Spain with a few players rested for our next biggest game of the season.. Ali has kept another clean sheet and another one against Villarreal will put us all in dreamland..
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