Football News: Liverpool v Newcastle United - A Liverpool Perspective

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Liverpool v Newcastle United

Another dominant performance from start to finish, again made easier by a manager happy to sit in and defend and hope for a point. Little to really discuss as it was so completely one-sided. The only controversial moment was Jamaal Lascelles getting away with a blatant foul on Mohamed Salah that should have seen him see red, which would have ruled him out for a couple of games in their relegation battle.

On the subject of Lascelles, seeing as there is so little to discuss, I have seen a lot of people talking him up because he is a leader, picks up the odd goal and is a strong defender with a bit of pace. Not for me though, he makes far too many mistakes. Positionally he is all over the place and has no clue about set piece defending at all. Lascelles is fine if sat deep and staying narrow, but ask him to do any more and he struggles.

When a game is as one-sided as that one, there is little to really discuss. LFC clearly had plenty left in the tank if needed, but harried Newcastle into submission early on and then controlled the ball and the game. Once they got the second it was a cruise until the final whistle went.

Klopp - his team went out and got a thoroughly professional win, not really anything to fault him for right now.

Karius - had a really good game, had very little to do for most of the game, but when called upon he made a very good save.

Alexander-Arnold - Trent was put under real pressure by the pace Newcastle had on the left but mostly coped really well and showed some real pace to outstrip Murphy. However his passing and crossing was abysmal at times, looked like he had his boots on the wrong feet at times.

Lovren - did really well in the main, though he had very little defending to actually do. It is really difficult to judge a defender after a game like that.

van Dijk - has brought an assured presence to the backline and that desire to win every header instead of dithering is a big help.

Robertson - worked hard, got involved. Not pushed defensively much and did not get caught out by charging forward too early.

Oxlade-Chamberlain - possibly man of the match, he was the fulcrum and provided some excellent forward runs and workrate.

Can - far too sloppy for my liking. For every good thing he does he makes more and more mistakes each week. Really is struggling at the moment and probably needs to be dropped, even though he does sometimes show some real quality, it is being overshadowed by his errors.

Henderson - had a good game, broke up play, played some good passes. The team looks so much stronger in midfield with him in there.

Salah - it is almost getting repetitive! He scores, he causes havoc, he plays well, it is the same every single game almost. He has been sensational and was unlucky not to get a free kick or possible penalty right at the death.

Mane - played well and scored a brilliant team goal. Great smile to celebrate as well.

Firmino - his role in the second goal summed him up. Wins the ball back in his own half ends up creating a goal from the edge of the opposition box seconds later. Firmino is a top player who is getting better and better.

Subs:

Lallana - arrived in the 74th minute in place of Mane but looks a bit off the pace still. Did one excellent Cruyff turn, but mostly it was huff and puff but little end product from him. Clearly needs more games to get his touch back.

Milner - replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 79th minute and did what Milner does best. Ran around and got involved.

Matip - 88th minute replacement for Firmino as Klopp looked to shut up shop. Had little to do being perfectly honest.

Written by Tris Burke March 04 2018 16:00:05