Liverpool FC 1-0 Bournemouth AFC – Post-match reaction
Liverpool finally bagged their first win under Jürgen Klopp’s reign last night beating Bourneouth by a goal to nil at Anfield last night. A well worked move finished off my Nathaniel Clyne was enough to see off the Cherries.
Klopp was forced to field a side of three debutants in Joao Teixeira, Conor Randall and Cameron Brannagan due to a string of injuries to established first team players. And to be fair to him, the rookies didn’t disappoint with all turning in quality performances. The pick of the bunch would be Teixeira.
The 22 year-old put in a performance full of endeavour and skill. His audacious back heel which was cleared off the Bournemouth goal line for Clyne to convert for the goal was simply exquisite stuff. And speaking of exquisite, that word would be an understatement for the man-of-the-match performance put in by Roberto Firmino. Pure class and skill as the Brazilian began to show why the hefty £29m price tag is begining to look like good value.
Much of Liverpool’s attacking approach play went through the ex-Hoffenheim forward. His pressing and passing was as good as we’ve seen in a red shirt for a while now. A long range effort early on, a free-kick superbly saved by Adam Federici, and another effort pulled just wide of the visitors’ goal late on were but a few highlights of a very promising display from the 24 year-old.
The win was not an easy one and goalkeeper Adam Bogdan deputising for Simon Mignolet had to pull off a number of saves to keep the hosts in the game. Most notably from Junior Stanislas in the opening minutes and from a superb injury time stop to keep Matt Ritchie’s shot out.
The positives however, cannot allow us to ignore the negatives and areas that remain desperate for improvement. Firstly, the score line. Liverpool still seem incapable of appying that finishing touch required to put a game beyond the opponent’s immediate reach. You always get the impression that the team is always one mis-timed pass or tackle away from being exposed for an equaliser.
It may be a cliché but on another night, this could well have finished 1-2 for the visitors who, but for poor finishing and Bogdan were unable to capitalise on chances that I can’t say we’re well worked but more gifts from Liverpool’s shortcomings.
Finishing consistently remains a problem for Klopp’s men. A total of 14 shots with six on target and only one goal to show for it simply isn’t good enough, in my opinion. We can all say “‘if’ we had Sturridge…” Or “‘But’ Benteke is injured…” If’s and but’s don’t win games. The finishing has to be more clinical if the team wishes to move forward.
The signs however, remain positive overall and I have to admit I feared another bore draw with this game. Fact is, the record books will show the result and not the near misses and dodgy defending so we as supporters have to be pleased with that. The win should certainly breed some confidence going into a huge, huge game against Chelsea who are showing signs of coming out of their slumber, despite what their last couple of results say.
Still, the fact is, they’ve lost them as I said. It’s results that count and Liverpool should be looking to come away from Stamford Bridge with more points in the bag come Saturday.
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