Liverpool match analysis: Mo Salah puts slow start myth to bed as Georginio Wijnaldum impresses again

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David Lynch25 August 2018

Liverpool will receive a dose of reality at some point this season, a result that sows seeds of doubt over their chances of ending a 28-year wait for the league title - but not today.

The sense of excitement around Anfield ahead of kick-off was palpable after Manchester City did the unthinkable in dropping points to newly promoted opposition in Wolves earlier in the day .

Thankfully, Jurgen Klopp’s side weren’t in the mood to dash any dreams just yet, even if they found things difficult against a Brighton and Hove Albion side who last week defeated Manchester United convincingly and were the better side here for the second 45 minutes.

Mohamed Salah opened the scoring as the result of a textbook regain high up the pitch from James Milner and Roberto Firmino’s deft tee-up.

And, while the hosts saw their rhythm disrupted by obstinate opposition for much of the rest of the game, three points to secure top spot in the division was all that truly mattered on the day.

That it came thanks to an excellent late stop from £59m goalkeeper Alisson Becker and the sort of resolve Klopp’s Liverpool team have so often been accused of lacking will do no harm, either.

​Gini in the middle

Georginio Wijnaldum looked like Anfield’s odd man out this summer following the additions of Naby Keita and Fabinho in central midfield.

But the Dutchman has not only started each of the Reds’ first three fixtures this season, he has been a standout performer in the middle of the park.

Photo: PA
PA

Wijnaldum is not a natural to the No.6 role he currently occupies, but you can hardly tell from the way he shields the defence and keeps the ball moving in tight spaces.

He was, by far, the hosts’ most convincing performer on the day and, on this evidence, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have a fight on their hands to dislodge him.

​Salah’s slow start a myth

Salah made a mockery of suggestions that he is enduring a slow start to the new campaign as he supplemented the impressive numbers he has already stacked up this term.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

That’s two goals, an assist and one penalty win so far for the Egyptian, whose pace and trickery also led to a red card for Aaron Wan-Bissaka in Monday’s win over Crystal Palace.

Incredibly, his opener made it 29 goals in as many appearances at Anfield since returning to England last summer.

We may not be witnessing another 44-goal season from the former AS Roma man, but it’ll take something special for his mantle as the Reds’ best player to be threatened.

Fortress Anfield key to Reds hopes

In narrowly seeing off Brighton, Liverpool made it 23 Premier League games unbeaten at Anfield.

The Reds went through the entirety of 2017-18 without tasting league defeat on home turf, the last reverse coming at the hands of Crystal Palace in April 2017.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

And they have now scored 20 goals without reply in L4 since West Ham United found the back of the net here back in February.

A strong home record will be key to any title hopes this term, and Klopp’s men have made a good start in that regard.

Clean sheet encouragement for new-look backline

They might have been somewhat fortunate to get it, but a third Premier League clean sheet in as many games this season was certainly welcome at Anfield.

For the third game running, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk looked a convincing centre-half partnership despite being given a genuine inspection by the wily Glenn Murray.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, meanwhile, recovered from a couple of hairy moments with the ball at his feet to make a crucial save from a Pascal Gross header in the dying moments.

Liverpool will do well to remember that they started the 2015-16 season with three consecutive shut-outs before enduring a run of form that saw Brendan Rodgers sacked.

The difference this time, however, is that the Reds look capable of sustaining this solidity.

A captain’s performance

With Brighton growing in confidence as the second half wore on, Klopp looked to his captain to restore some control in the middle of the park for the hosts.

As ever, Jordan Henderson did exactly what his manager asked, constantly nipping counter-attacks in the bud, spreading the play, and ensuring the Reds retained possession to take the sting out of matters.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

The No.14 would have been a guaranteed starter in a game like this last season, but proved that his intelligence means he can be just as valuable off the bench at times.

Klopp has a wealth of midfield options this year and he will make full use of all of them.

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