The Good:
The fact we could hold the 1-0 lead for near entire duration of the game with Tottenham really cranking the heat in the latter stage of the 2nd half, was testament of the steady defensive backline and Alisson also helping us to stay in the hunt. And once again Origi the supersub giant killer, stepped up and effectively killed the tie with Tottenham unable to break and score for 87 minutes and there was not enough time for them to score 2 goals and bring the game to extra time and penalties.
That said though, you can say that it also came to the squad line up on the Spurs end. When I saw Harry Kane in the line-up, I was kinda expecting him not to perform too well. He's only just recovered from his 2 month injury and he was tossed straight back into the lineup. He was absolutely nowhere till Lucas Moura came in which was too late. If Lucas had started earlier, building on the momentum he just had with his Hat Trick the last round, things would have been drastically different.
The Bad:
Well, not that it was a big deal. Liverpool didn't really produce the clinical style of play this time round, with Firmino being sometimes anonymous and not really converting any chances. Maybe because of being away from football for 3 weeks kinda lost momentum which could very well be the case. We were basically playing park the bus football for the whole duration after scoring early, with Tottenham beating in possession and time on the ball. But you know what? Possession didn't win for Tottenham and for most Reds Fans, who's gonna complain. 2-0 is still a fair scoreline for a top 6 club, despite feeling that we should have kicked into gear alot earlier and faster.
RATINGS:
Alisson Becker: 10
Alisson put the money where his mouth is and maintain yet another clean sheet. Even when Alisson was faced with a flurry of White Attacks from the 70+ minutes onward, he stood his ground and held off everything that was being thrown in the defensive backline.
Trent Alexander Arnold: 8
Virgil Van Dijk: 8
Typical Mr Van Dijk was able to hold his backline. Contributed to the numbers for the 2nd goal via set piece. We don't need to say more there.
Joel Matip: 9
Contribution: 1 Assist
Held the ground well with Virgil in his usual fashion. Even was sharp enough to contribute to the late game goal and notched the assist to Mr Late Game Origi. It was a long time coming for Joel to notch his very first assist.
Fabinho: 9
Provided the all-important 1st line in front of the back four. He was well worth the wait after having a slow start in the season.
Jordan Henderson: 9
Gini Wijanldum 9
Andy Robertson: 8
Firmino: 6
Didn't play too well but he was only back from injury and not really that match fit. But at least in a better state than Kane. Subbed for Origi
Sadio Mane: 8
Won the penalty when his cross was blocked with an obvious blatant handball and was a constant menace. Could have converted his chances a lot more.
Mohamed Salah: 8
Again, Salah may not have his best game. But still, calm as you like with the penalty and he made no mistake. That super early goal was perhaps what it needed for him to redeem himself and wipe that memory of last year off him and started the ball rolling. He was feeling real chuffed and buzzing that he played the full 90 and rightly so. Ended the season with a respectable tally of 27 goals in all seasons and I'm happy for him.
Substitutes
Divock Origi: 10
Contribution: 1 Goal
He didn't play much, he didn't touch or see the ball much. But that doesn't matter as 1 crucial and clinical shot was all he needed and took to kill the game off completely. Nuff' said. These tiny spells from Origi had unexpectedly yet absolutely brilliant impact especially in late game and I don't know why. Please don't sell him! He brought us here after scoring the first and last goal against Barcelona and then was clinical again.
Milner: 8
Typical Industrial self and adjusted the tempo of the side once he's introduced. He sent in the corner which led to Matip's and Origi's involvement in the 2nd winning goal.
Gomez: -NA-
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