Liverpool clinched three extra factors and stored a clear sheet to firmly maintain on to prime spot within the Premier League, with the 2-0 win over Aston Villa proving to be fairly the event.
Mohamed Salah doing what he does greatest and Darwin Nunez scoring the toughest of his three clear possibilities, it was fairly the night time on Saturday because the Reds moved 5 clear on the prime.
The worldwide break, annoyingly, awaits however not less than we’ve loads to shout about whereas we look forward to membership soccer to return.
Right here, Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_) and Matt Ladson (@mattladson), who have been each at Anfield, focus on the positives and only a few negatives from the win, plus Salah’s ongoing contract state of affairs.
The great…
JOANNA: It was not lengthy after attending to the bottom that phrase received round that Brighton had equalised, after which simply moments later that they have been in entrance – not a foul solution to begin the night time!
The ambiance was unimaginable from early on from the place I used to be sat within the higher Anfield Street Finish. You possibly can really feel one thing is constructing and that this crew might be able to taking benefit.
I had a fairly good view of Salah’s aim, and that permit off within the stands was fairly the sensation as whereas it by no means regarded like we might concede, having the cushion was vastly appreciated.
Fifteen wins from 17 video games, what a job Arne is doing! ‘Libpool, prime of the league!’
MATT: Iboouuuu. And loads of others. Each participant was very good individually, and collectively we glance very properly tuned (now for a world break to disrupt that rhythm).
It was noticeable how a lot sharper and on the entrance foot Robertson was. Rotation there may be paying off and one thing the participant would have benefited from extra underneath Klopp in current seasons.
Gravenberch’s block within the first half early on, and Kelleher’s saves within the second half are issues we most likely didn’t recognize sufficient. Excellent.
There’s completely no drop off when Alisson is out of the crew now.
The dangerous…
MATT: Two phrases and an expletive okay? David f**king Coote.
Critically although, how can an expert referee within the supposed greatest league on this planet witness that with view and deem it no foul – not play on and benefit, however level clean declared it no foul.
In case you have been that incompetent in some other job you’ll be sacked, rightly so.
JOANNA: You gained’t discover me mentioning too many negatives from my night!
I suppose the one actual concern from the sport is Trent’s harm and the way lengthy he could also be out for. If it simply the worldwide break, that may be the perfect state of affairs, however him lacking Actual’s go to would really feel fairly fortuitous…
And I can solely echo what you’ve mentioned there, Matt. Coote resides in a very completely different dimension than us, how he’s nonetheless at this stage is staggering.
Additionally I’m not selecting on Nunez, however he needed to do higher along with his second one-v-one and along with his header.
And Salah is firmly placing the stress on the membership, is it a case of Liverpool needing to bow to his calls for (inside cause), you suppose?
JOANNA: Salah has a stronger hand, most undoubtedly. He’ll need to really feel accurately valued by the membership, and with each passing day the pound indicators will likely be rising.
The place he would go if he left Liverpool could be attention-grabbing because the membership will know there should not too many on the market who would match or exceed or what they may provide.
Salah shouldn’t be displaying any indicators of slowing down, and also you sense he’s as protected of an funding as you would get. Liverpool must step up and do what is correct, he can’t be allowed to go away on a free switch.
Mo Salah’s future:
MATT: Like all negotiations, it takes each side to make it work. Salah might have the higher hand in a single respect, however Liverpool will take a look at and know that he needs to remain to set extra data on the membership and inside the Premier League‘s historical past.
And for Salah, his choices are slim in my view. Saudi is off the playing cards if he needs to proceed his legacy; Actual don’t want him; Barca can’t afford him; PSG is a serious step down. If he needs to stay on the elite stage he additionally must compromise as a way to stay at Anfield.
Alternatively, how a lot it price to exchange his output?!