Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace: We’ve only gone and done it!!
For the first time in what seems an eternity, You’ll never walk alone echoed around our hallowed ground and the fans were back for an all or bust, last game of the season thriller. In all honesty, the opening ten minutes aside, it never looked in doubt. Let’s see how the lads fared.
Alisson (7) – Thankfully, a reasonably quiet afternoon for Ali. One nervous moment when Townsend went clean through but other than that, dealt with everything that came his way and calm with his distribution. Can look back on an iconic Premier league moment this season with his goal at West Brom. That was the moment that truly secured top four for us this season.
TAA (8) – It’s no coincidence that our 10 game unbeaten run that secured top four, coincided with the return to form of this man. Trent has been instrumental in our recent resurgence and Southgate will be mad if he doesn’t take him to the Euros. Lots of good build up play between him, Salah and Thiago all throughout the game.
Phillips (8) – Nat is another who can be accredited with saving our season. Another dominant display from him today and without his performances at CB in the second half of this season, we would never have qualified for the champions league. He’s surely done enough to have earned a new contract and perhaps make the club rethink some of their transfer plans.
Williams (7) – Better from the youngster. Missed a sitter but then got a crucial touch in the build up to Mane’s opener. Wherever his career takes him next, this season will be a crucial one for his development.
Robertson (8) – Won his defensive duels, showed some fine dribbling skills and that spark with Mane returned with a vengeance. What a stalwart Robbo has been this season, played every single Premier league game, incredible fitness levels and durability and arguably our most consistent performer this season.
Fabinho (8) – Another player who’s really stood out this season, be it in midfield or defence but we’re a totally different animal when Fabinho plays midfield. His reading of the game is superb, so often in the right place to prevent a counter attack or recycle possession. Hopefully can play a full season in midfield next year.
Thiago (9) – It’s like it’s finally clicked between the team and Thiago and now he’s just oozing class every game. He sees the game on another level to everyone else, you can trust him to receive the ball in any situation and retain it and some of his passing is out of this world. The way he was still spraying the ball about in those conditions was truly world class. I can’t wait to see him in a fully fit squad next season.
Wijnaldum (8) – The moment he had to shoot when he chose to lay it off to Mane somewhat summed up Gini’s time with us. Selflessly tempers his natural game to try and be a solid platform for others to build upon and that is what Gini has been for us. A true LFC legend and I think it’s nuts that we’re letting him go. He’ll always be fondly remembered however, a fantastic servant to the club. Deserved his ovation from the fans. YNWA Gini Wijnaldum.
Salah (8) – Unlucky to miss out on the golden boot and one of our only players to have maintained his standards of recent seasons. Very nice assist for Mane’s goal however. Hopefully Mo will still be around next season.
Firmino (7) – Does the ball bouncing off him and into Mane’s path for the opener count as an assist? We’ll say it does. Livelier performance from Bobby than we’ve seen, some nice turns and footwork and nicked the ball back a number of times. Clearly missed the fans.
Mane (9.5) – Speaking of missing the fans… Will the real Sadio please stand up!! This was the Mane we know and love, a nightmare for Palace from start to finish and rewarded with both goals. We’ve not seen this Mane for weeks, he exhausted Palace, that’s what we’ve been used to seeing him do for the past three years, even if not scoring he’s a nightmare to play against. He’d lost that intensity in recent weeks but it was back in droves here and hopefully will see him finish the season on a high and come back highly motivated next year. Can be proud to have claimed the final McMOTM of the season too.
Subs:
Milner (6) – Came on for Gini second half and shored up the midfield to see the game out.
Jota (N/A) – Unlucky with injuries but can be proud of his first season with the reds and has shown a lot of promise of things to come.
Ox (N/A) – Next season will be make or break for Ox.
Kloppwatch (10) – How Klopp managed to pull us from pretty much rock bottom after 6 consecutive hone defeats, to 8 wins and two draws from our last 10 games, is an absolute testament to the man’s skills in man management. The team were on the floor, confidence shot to bits. To have somehow turned that around and finished third?? I totally agree with him when he says it’s one of his greatest achievements.
Summary
Six weeks ago, even the most rose tinted of fans would have struggled to believe you if you’d said we’d finish third. It’s been an absolutely torturous season but I wonder in some ways, if it will be one we’ll remember fondly in years to come. The pain all season suddenly turning on a sixpence in the shape of a goal from our goalkeeper of all people! That is an iconic moment. Imagine we win the Champions league next season? That goal would almost become Alisson’s Olympiacos moment in our European history.
Anyway, one way or another, the season is done and thank god. It’s been emotional, between bereavements within the squad and the staff, the terrible injuries, breakaway leagues… it’s been a season like no other but with all the setbacks, I’ll bite your hand off for third and it’s likely a game changer for us in the transfer budget too.
Anyway roll on next season. I can’t wait to see Virgil back marshalling that defence, Hendo barking orders and clattering into people and Thiago orchestrating it all. I fully expect us to be back challenging for the title next season and with some clever recruitment in the summer, number 20 should be the target. Walk on!
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