Lessons Learned: Liverpool Crushes Champions: Anfield’s Electric Night | OneFootball

Red Reign Supreme: Liverpool’s Dominant Display Dazzles at Anfield

Liverpool, Liverpool: Top of the Leagues

What a game, what a crowd, and what a time to be alive at the moment for any red. The reigning champions of England came to our patch, and it’s fair to say that a 4 or 5 nil win wouldn’t have flattered us one single bit. Only a lack of poor finishing and wastefulness combined kept them in it, and for all the classless Guardiola comments after the game, he knew they’d been well and truly battered. We look at the lessons learned from another brilliant Anfield game under the lights.

The Salah Standard

That’s what we’re seeing now, and there are very few from history that can even match it. The Egyptian king moves level with Wayne Rooney on 36 goal and assist games in the Premier League, and expect that to tumble by the end of the season. Salah’s pass for Gakpo was just one that only he has the vision and ability to execute in those positions, and he made it a tap-in for the Dutchman. The greats move in quickly, and the penalty miss against Madrid was forgotten as he dispatched this one past Ortega. He’ll be annoyed at the one on one he missed, but we’re just delighted he’s ours. For however long that is.

The Van Dijk Standard

Every bit as elite in another position, this was a further reminder of just what Liverpool risk losing this summer. The Dutchman absolutely dominated here, and he’ll feel better tonight when he empties the weight of Haaland out of his pockets. There was that moment where he (without breaking real stride) rose up and intercepted/cushioned a pass out of Haaland’s path that was just brilliant. He had to be bailed out by Kelleher on one occasion, but maybe excellence can bring an element of complacency at times. The greatest centre-back ever in the Premier League, and to be honest, it’s not even a close decision.

Photo: IMAGO

Midfielder Mentions

There’s lots who deserve a shout like Gomez, Robbo, etc., and there really were top marks everywhere. However, two midfielders who’ve come in for criticism recently deserve a real mention here. Brilliant against Real and the same here for Alexis Mac Allister as he recorded 5/8 duels won, 3/3 tackles won, 89% pass completion (34/38), 100% dribbles completed (1/1), and 4 recoveries. Szoboszlai played his best game of the season too as he recorded the most chances (4) on the pitch today. The Hungarian also made the most recoveries (7) and won 4/5 duels as well. Two who really deserved that applause at the end there.