OK! Not gonna lie, when I saw the lineup, again I was not confident. And every time we come to Old Trafford, our form tends to get thrown out the window. However, then again, our Scousers have been on an absolute high momentum. Funnily enough, as far as all the games go for this season, this was by far the easiest, literally by a huge long shot, against Man Utd of all teams. I know we also beat Watford 5-0 but never did we have an easier time dismantling and burying the game before half time. That said I didn't like how dirty Man United were playing, they were all out to try injured and deplete our team. Naby rumors say that he'll only be out for a couple weeks, but no updates on Milner. Still a massive win, and back to back Old Trafford wins since Jota and Salah scored goals in the 4-2 win along with a Firmino Brace.
Really, I've been saying time and time again. Liverpool's offensive power is devastating because of right coaching but more importantly the correct and most reliable synergy of the forward line where everybody is in sync. This game is no exception. Everybody in front, consisting of Robbo, Trent, Keita, Firmino, Salah and Jota, all gelled in sync in what is our best ever Old Trafford away day, heck maybe even the best performance against Man U ever. I don't think any other Man U wins would have come close.
GK: Alisson Becker - 7.5 / 10
Routine day at the office, which is funny considering it is supposed to be Manchester United that he was facing. However he handled his box well and made a few routine saves that kept that clean sheet although I wouldn't have minded if CR7's goal wasn't ruled out either, as the game by then was well and truly buried.
RB / FB: Trent Alexander Arnold - 8.5 / 10
Contribution: 1 Assist
Typical Industrious performance from him, often swapping sides of the wings with Robbo and nice quick assist grab for Jota's 2nd goal!
CB: Ibrahima Konate - 8 / 10
Surprise call for Konate for a large game like this. But Konate don't care. To be fair, he wasn't really tested that much though he kept Cristiano Ronaldo quiet for much of the game.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk - 8 / 10
Equally sharp as his partner Konate, Virgil Van Dijk had no problems stemming Manc's attacks either because let's just say, Man U were simply horrendously bad. He had a bone to pick with CR7 after the latter fowled Curtis Jones which was hilarious though.
LB / FB: Andy Robertson - 8 / 10
Didn't add to the assists from his side, but his build up play was nonetheless solid and deadly. Another good outing for him.
CDM: Jordan Henderson - 9 / 10
Contribution: 1 Assist
Filled in for Fabinho who is ruled out to a knock. But no problem in such an important game as this. And wow, what a pass! Past a gap through 2-3 players for Mo's Hat Trick Goal.
LM: James Milner - NA
Didn't play enough to warrant a rating before getting subbed to injury. However he was on hand queuing up behind Jota just in case the latter didn't connect the 2nd goal.
RM / FW: Naby Keita - 10 / 10
Contribution: 1 Assist
Always running, always pressing, eyes on the ball and whoever gets it, always tracking, this was his best performance. He plays more as if an Attacking Midfield, even almost as a center forward and bossed the midfield area and more than willing to do the dirty work. Not a bad strategy to keep pivoting between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1.
LW: Diogo Jota - 8 / 10
Contribution: 1 Assist, 1 Goal
Back in again with the goal as he did in the previous Old Trafford encounter! Enjoyed his game on the left flank and linking up with Keita, Firmino and Salah.
CF / LWF: Roberto Firmino - 8.5 / 10
Didn't get on the assist or scoresheet. However he was heavily involved in the buildups to the goals as the glue to the rest of the forward line, always swapping and overlapping on the left with Jota.
RW: Mohamed Salah - 10 / 10
Contribution: 1 Assist, 3 Goals
Time for lunch of goals for him. Has to be a perfect 10. Has to be. Who scores a hat trick against Manchester United in their own turf? What a masterclass! SIGN DA TING!!! The question of Ronaldo vs Salah, who is the better forward, is undoubtedly clear.
SUB 1: LM - Curtis Jones - 8 / 10
Took a bit of time to grow into the game. But managed to keep the left attacking flank moving all the time. Should be ready to go for the Preston Game.
SUB 2: RM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - NA
Didn't do enough to really change the game as it was truly done by the time Keita went out.
SUB 3: RW: Sadio Mane - NA
Same scenario. Only there needed to get some minutes when the win was already firmly in our grasp.
JURGEN KLOPP - 9
This is the difference between a world class coach and an average or below average coach. Klopp made some bold changes and also enforced changes, with Konate in for Matip even though the latter had been on top form and shape. He played to their strengths and exploiting the relative immobility of the midfield line and that resulted in an ultimate schooling lesson for Ole Gunnar or Goner Solskjaer. Unusual team selection, but was a perfect game plan.
Next Game: Preston Away
We can afford to rest some big guns after what was like a huge gauntlet of games. We could afford to and did slow down the tempo after the 5th goal to kinda rest up abit. Brentford, Man City, Atletico, Watford, Man U, geez. Those are big matches this past whole 2 weeks and the whole of this week had been entirely away but the last 2 games were bloody simple, especially Man U, which was nice. And after Preston, it is Brighton then Atletico again. It was huge that we won them away last week and everyone's on such a high momentum. A draw with Atletico Madrid will suffice to secure qualification to the knockouts.
My expected XI vs Preston:
Kelleher, Neco Williams / Conor Bradley, Matip / Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas, Curtis Jones, Tyler Morton, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino / Musialowski, Kaide Gordon, Divock Origi.
With injuries to Fabinho, Thiago, Keita, Milner... our only fit Midfielders who can give the experience are Curtis and Ox. However, maybe a start for Musialowski? Because from our U23 match, Musialowski is absent, Tyler Morton too, and for obvious reasons Kaide Gordon. So maybe a new opportunity for em'.
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