Huddersfield 0-3 Liverpool: Match Analysis

Liverpool shrugged off the shock defeats to two relegation contenders with a comfortable win over Huddersfield Town, thanks to goals from Emre Can, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

Jürgen Klopp oversaw seven changes after crashing out of the FA Cup to West Bromwich Albion: Loris Karius came in for Simon Mignolet in goal, while three changes were made in the defence, with only Joël Matip retaining his place – Virgil van Dijk was rumoured to have been ill.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the ineffective Georgino Wijnaldum made way for James Milner and Jordan Henderson. It was the usual suspects up front.

• Rotation works again
• A comfortable win
• Energy preserved for Spurs
• Mixed night for the front 3
• Thinness of the squad

5⃣ Talking Points from Liverpool's win over Huddersfield last night, by @mayamahadevan https://t.co/s1mZKkRtd8

— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) January 31, 2018

The match also included four past 1. FSV Mainz players: Karius and Lössl – the goalkeepers – with Klopp and Wagner overseeing the match, with both having coached together at Borussia Dortmund. A sort of friendly rivalry of apprentice against master.

Liverpool went for a 4-3-3 holding shape yet again, while Huddersfield went for a 3-5-2 variant, which often switched to a back-five – for obvious reasons.

First and foremost, the win was not only vital for another top-four finish, but also for morale. The triumph over Manchester City was nothing short of admirable against a side in ridiculously sensational form. However, the defeat to (then) rock bottom Swansea and a capitulation to West Brom at Anfield severely hampered spirits, as well as chances of ending the trophy drought.

The inconsistency over the three games prior to Tuesday night’s win rather encapsulated Emre Can – the German was a force against City, yet looked a different player afterwards.

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – Tuesday, January 30, 2018: Liverpool’s Emre Can during the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town FC and Liverpool FC at the John Smith’s Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

However, Can continued his enigmatic performances with a fine display in West Yorkshire – passing was generally outstanding and made four key passes. Moreover, he further showed off his penchant for stunning goals with the half-volley and could have had a few assists if Sadio Mané’s finishing was better.

It would have been remiss to also not state how excellent James Milner and Jordan Henderson were. The vice-captain and captain executed their jobs with expertise and greatly aided in keeping the pressure on an entrenched Huddersfield side.

On that point, the Terriers either opted to sit back initially or simply struggled to break out – either way, Liverpool did well to pin the home side well within their own half. Naturally, counter-pressing is negated when the opposition sit deep as passing options are plentiful and it is difficult to make use of possession if the ball is won high up the pitch.

However, the Reds were sharp on the ball and made good use of their 75% possession share, with little signs of impatience. After Emre Can’s stunner, concentration and composure did not diminish.

WATCH: Jürgen Klopp’s post-Huddersfield press conference in full

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – Tuesday, January 30, 2018: Liverpool’s Joe Gomez during the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town FC and Liverpool FC at the John Smith’s Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The defence also did their part in circulating the ball. Dejan Lovren, in particular, was continued his uncharacteristic decent run of form – for the meantime – with a cool-headed performance.

The Croat, Gomez and Matip average over 90% pass accuracy. Liverpool ended up making a staggering 940 passes of which 89% were successful to Huddersfield’s 320 and 69% completion rate [via WhoScored], which rather speaks volumes of the possession side of the game.

In attack, Liverpool, unsurprisingly, did not have as much freedom as commonly used to. Sadio Mané had another sub-par performance and has shown little signs of ending his barren spell.

As briefly mentioned earlier, the Senegalese winger’s finishing still looks off, with his first touch faring little better. On the other hand, Roberto Firmino produced a display as bright as his teeth, with a smart, fine finish for his eighteenth of the season.

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – Tuesday, January 30, 2018: Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino during the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town FC and Liverpool FC at the John Smith’s Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

READ MORE: Huddersfield 0-3 Liverpool: Player Ratings

The goal rather summed how far the Brazilian has come in terms of intelligence in Klopp’s system and has quashed speculation Liverpool need an out-and-out striker, instead embodying the modern edge to his ever-growing game.

Statistically, Liverpool have struck a level of consistency to their home and away game, relative to the rest of the league, of course. In both areas, they rank fourth, and though they have conceded the fifth most goals on the road, they lead in the number scored.

Furthermore, the result shed fears over witnessing another dull, lethargic performance against a deep-block side. Regardless, the fact the midfield – often an area lacking in equanimity – proved it still has a heartbeat is reassuring after recent performances.

Unlikely to bring anyone in for the rest of the window, it is imperative Liverpool remain focused and eagle-eyed in the quest to reassert stability with a squad somewhat bereft of depth. Klopp will face a massive test at the weekend, of course, against another intense pressing side in Spurs, who remain the frontrunners for top-four.

The post Huddersfield 0-3 Liverpool: Match Analysis appeared first on AnfieldHQ.

Source: anfieldhq.com