We knew it would come, didn’t we? There was always going to be a time when Liverpool would start battering teams with ease. I just didn’t think it would come at the beginning of the craziest month of the season, but hey, I won’t complain. First a Liverpool team that made 5 changes, resting some of their best players, absolutely dismantled a lowly Everton team. Then, Jurgen Klopp travels to the south coast with 7 more changes in his side and routinely dismisses Bouremouth 3-0. That’s 15 wins from 16 Premier League matches. It’s December 7th.
What more is there to say about this team? It’s an incredible football side. It’s one of the most impressive anythings I’ve ever seen. Put this team up against anything in the history of everything and I think I’ll come away more impressed with Jurgen’s Reds. Liverpool versus the Printing Press? I like our chances. Liverpool up against some of the most impressive things not yet discovered? Give me this gang of lads. They’re the best gang of lads to ever be a gang of lads. They’re on the march to the mountain top. Let’s follow them into the land of milk and honey.
Winners & Losers
Winners
Naby Keita
The wait was worth it. I’m typically one to temper expectations and not get too excited, but how can you not come away thoroughly impressed with Keita’s shift against Bournemouth? He of course had the goal and the assist. That’s what most pundits will point out from his performance, but I want to focus on the other aspects of his game. Led the team with 94.7% pass completion. 5 completed passes inside the penalty area. Created 2 chances. 13 ball recoveries. Led the team in tackles. The list goes on and on. It was a man of the match worthy performance from the number 8.
Rotation
That’s 12 changes over the first two matches of the busiest time of the year. That’s also two of the most emphatic wins of the season for Liverpool in their matches against Everton and Bournemouth. There was a lot of hand wringing and second guessing from Liverpool fans this summer when the team didn’t buy any first team players. I would include myself in those that doubted the Reds’ transfer strategy, but it’s been the rotational players that have stepped up. Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri did Everton it. Keita in this one. We’ve got a good squad, folks.
Clean Sheet
First clean sheet since September 28th against Sheffield United. Alisson’s first clean sheet of the season. A great defensive performance.
Mo Salah’s ankle
It looks like Salah’s feeling rejuvenated following a nagging injury the last couple of months. A goal and assist for the Egyptian star.
Losers
Centerback Injuries
The only down side to today’s endeavor was Dejan Lovren coming off in the first half with an apparent hamstring injury. That leaves Liverpool with just two healthy CBs in Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. Hopefully Dejan’s injury isn’t too serious and Joel Matip can recover quickly.
Eddie Howe
Bournemouth and their manager get off far too easy when it comes to criticism. That’s 1 win in their last 11 matches and 5 straight loses. They have a reputation as a plucky underdog, but they’ve outspent the likes of Crystal Palace, Newcastle, and even West Ham over the last five years.
What Happens Next?
We’ve got a big match on Tuesday against Salzburg with Champions League qualification on the line. I know we’re all focused on winning the league but it’s paramount that this team’s momentum continues.
Up the WWWWWWWWDWWWWWWW Reds.