Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah were on the scoresheet to give Liverpool a vital victory against FC Midtjylland at Anfield.
It was far from a vintage performance from the Premier League champions who had to battle harder than expected to overcome the combative Danish champions.
There were still some positives that Jurgen Klopp will draw upon with a number of eye-catching performances from the Liverpool contingent.
Former Reds star Jamie Carragher reacted with delight following the 90-minute display of one standout candidate who he thought was Liverpool’s ‘best player by a mile’.
Another assist for @TrentAA who has been Liverpool’s best player by a mile so far! #LIVMID
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) October 27, 2020
Liverpool were miles off the pace from their usual standards, particularly in the first half. Midtjylland to their credit, weathered the home threat extremely well and even had a few chances of their own that they will be disappointed they failed to convert.
The Reds were uncharacteristically sloppy in possession and failed to utilise Klopp’s 4-2-3-1 system to its full effect.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 27: Fabinho of Liverpool walks around the pitch after he sustains an injury during the UEFA Champions League Group D stage match between Liverpool FC and FC Midtjylland at Anfield on October 27, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The main talking point of the night once again was focussed on yet another injury setback for Liverpool to deal with following the blow to Fabinho in the first half.
The Brazilian left the field clutching his hamstring and was removed for 19-year-old Rhys Williams, who once again stepped in alongside Joe Gomez to produce yet another assured and composed performance in the first team.
Nothing is quite going right for Liverpool at present, but it is worth noting that the team’s resilience in the face of adversity is still able to grind out results which is hugely encouraging considering the amount of setbacks Klopp has had to deal with in recent weeks.
It won’t be a performance that we’ll remember with fondness but back-to-back wins in club football’s biggest competition sets Liverpool up perfectly in a tough Champions League group, with a trip Atalanta awaiting next week.
- Five things we learned as Liverpool beat FC Midtjylland 2-1
- Reds now have an unpredictable approach which Klopp must master
- Klopp’s recent formation change offers Minamino long-term hope
- Reds fans react as club confirm move to Kirkby training complex
- Thiago back at Melwood and could feature against West Ham
- Diogo Jota is already threatening to disrupt Klopp’s pedigreed front-three
- Joe Gomez has been handed task that could define his Reds career
- Wijnaldum continues to prove why the club can’t let him go
- Curtis Jones could be Klopp’s 2020/21 Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield
- Fabinho and Gomez could provide perfect defensive solution