LIVERPOOL (REUTERS) - Winter returned to Anfield on Friday (April 26) but while the temperature dropped, the standards of Juergen Klopp's side certainly did not as Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah both struck twice in a 5-0 thrashing of relegated Huddersfield Town.
Liverpool kept the pressure up on Premier League title rivals Manchester City, moving to the summit on 91 points, two more than City, but Pep Guardiola's side will regain top spot with a win at Burnley on Sunday.
Despite the wind, rain and freezing temperature, Liverpool had little trouble collecting their seventh league win in a row and with a trip to Newcastle United and home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers to come, Juergen Klopp's side could well keep that streak going until the end of the season.
Ninety one points was enough to win 20 of the 27 Premier League titles and Klopp's side could end the campaign with just a solitary league defeat to go with several other records - but none of that will count for much if Pep Guardiola's side do not drop points in their three remaining matches.
"Ninety one points. Wow, that's crazy. It's only possible because the boys play like they do, the attitude they have," Klopp said.
"You cannot ask for luck or destiny, you have to work for it. We said we want to write our own history, that's what we're doing. The boys are outstanding," he added.
Liverpool, who face Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, were without forward Roberto Firmino who was rested due to a slight muscle strain.
Â
But Klopp's side do not lack for firepower even without their Brazilian striker.
Salah and Mane now have 21 and 20 goals each this season - making them the top two scorers in the Premier League.
EARLY GOAL
It took 14 seconds for Liverpool to go in front with Huddersfield defender Jon Gorenc Stankovic giving the ball away to Salah just outside the box and the Egyptian fed Naby Keita who slotted home off the inside of the post.
Mane headed in the second in the 23rd minute, meeting a trademark Andy Robertson cross from the left after Virgil Van Dijk had started the move with a surge out from the back.
On the stroke of halftime, Salah put the game beyond Huddersfield when he latched on to a long pass forward from Trent Alexander-Arnold and knocked the ball past the advancing Jonas Lossl.
Huddersfield, who opted against massed defence and tried to be positive, started the second half in determined fashion, creating three promising openings, but Liverpool soon took back control.
Mane scored his second and Liverpool's fourth in the 66th minute, heading in a deep cross from Jordan Henderson and he went close to a hat-trick in the 78th minute when he headed a Xherdan Shaqiri cross against the post.
Salah made it 5-0 with a simple close-range tap-in from a low Robertson cross.
"All in all it was great, a really brilliant performance," said Klopp.
"Composure and everything that you need was there. So really happy.
"It's obviously an outstanding group of players, who did well against a Huddersfield side who are much better than this result shows. They had proper counter-attacks so we needed to be patient and we scored wonderful goals."
To add to a very positive evening, midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returned to action as a substitute, his first appearance since suffering a knee injury a year ago.
Pochettino rues missed opportunity after Sunderland draw. Jason MELLOR. AFP. February 1, 2017. and it was a chance to cut the gap on Chelsea so when you drop two points like tonight then it's
Thibaut Courtois rues Real Madrid's missed chances in
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino remained defiant despite his side preparing for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Ajax Amsterdam in disjointed fashion as they had
Football: Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues
sportstoft.com/soccer/football-pochettino-defiant-as-poor-tottenham-form-continues/
Football: Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues 05/04/2019 Soccer BOURNEMOUTH, England (REUTERS) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino remained defiant despite his side preparing for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Ajax Amsterdam in disjointed fashion as they had two men sent off in a 1-0 defeat by
Football: Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues
Mata would be open to returning to Spain but knows a move to Barca is unlikely. He could choose to stay at United, with negotiations for a new deal still ongoing and improved terms being offered
Best places to visit in Spain and when to go | CNN Travel
League Cup: Harry Kane's VAR penalty gives Tottenham edge
Football: Liverpool now on Man City's level insists Klopp, despite defeat Manchester City must execute game plan to perfection in must-win game against Liverpool.
Manchester City's Aguero Fernandinho both 9/10 in must-win
Sead Kolasinac put through his own net in stoppage time to give Huddersfield late hope, scoring Huddersfield's first goal in over nine hours of football in all competitions, but the visitors held on for the win. Victory moved Arsenal level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea, who play Manchester City on Sunday, while Huddersfield stayed
Iwobi, Lacazette lead Arsenal to win at Huddersfield
Delighted Jurgen Klopp Tells Gamers To Keep Centered Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the rising expectation that Liverpool can elevate the league title for the primary time in 29 years saying his gamers should keep focussed after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday.
Football: Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri accepted his fine after being sent off in Monday night's 2-2 draw with Burnley.It's been suggested Sarri was provoked by con Chelsea boss Sarri on Burnley insults
The X-RATED insult which Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri reacted
MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for 60 million euros (£52.39 million), television channel Sky Germany said on Thursday. Jovic, 21
Real Madrid sign Luka Jovic for 60 million euros: Report
Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up By Neil Robinson Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 27, 2019 West Hams Michail Antonio scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs LONDON (Reuters) -
Premier League: Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium
Milner wants team to deliver better final ball LONDON • Following two goal-less draws, Liverpool vice-captain James Milner has urged his team to improve on their finishing by adapting better to the task of breaking down stubborn opponents.
Latest JAMES MILNER | The Straits Times
0 comments:
Post a Comment