It took until the last day for the second season in a row, but Liverpool yet again clinched top four and a Champions League place against a newly-promoted side at home in a multi-goal romp. On a day where Mo Salah got his record breaking goal, there were three unlikely goal-scorers (including two with their first for the club), many other unfulfilled chances for goals, and a result elsewhere that urged the celebration on even more so. What a day it was.
Game Story:
The game went off to a flying start, Liverpool had two handball penalty shouts and another on a potential foul on Mo Salah in the box. While the handball shouts were certainly debatable, I thought the foul on Salah seemed to be a penalty. Alas, it was not meant to be. But Liverpool put their heads down and found the breakthrough in the 26th minute, off a nice play through from Dominic Solanke, Salah got his 32nd of the league campaign and the Reds were officially off and running. There was another massive chance in the 30th when Mane and Salah were through 2-on-0 against Maty Ryan, the Brighton keeper, but Mane was almost too unselfish and rolled Salah through which Ryan snuffed out, and the following shot from the trailing Solanke was cleared off the line.
With chance-after-chance, the 1-0 scoreline seemed to almost flatter the Seagulls who continually attempted blocks and clearances with reckless abandon. That changed in the 40th minute as they failed to fully clear a corner, Andy Robertson swung a stellar cross in, and Dejan Lovren met it with a beautiful running leap and headed the ball home. The lead was doubled before the half and all the momentum stayed with the Reds. Dominic Solanke in the 53rd was played through by Mo Salah and finished brilliantly of the top bar and in to make it 3-0. The young striker finally found the net, a well-deserved reward for the hard-working striker. Andy Robertson was also rewarded in the 85th with a cracking strike of his own to make it 4-0, and with that he wrapped up a truly dominating performance.
How Did This Happen:
It was the complete performance from Jurgen's Reds, dealing with a knock to James Milner proved no problem and Solanke finally found the back of the net almost as if to reward Klopp for his faith in him. The four attackers proved to be far too much for Brighton as, despite their unity in defense, they found themselves overwhelmed and constantly under attack. Liverpool had enough chances to finish with even more than four but some chances simply couldn't fall their way. This was no matter though, the result of 4-0 reflects the domination on the pitch no problem. And the fans will take the Champions League spot, no question.
The man of the hour is, of course, Mo Salah as he broke the Premier League record for most goals in a single-season with 32. The Egyptian had been out of scoring form the past two games, however he found his way through and shattered the record in a moment that brought out plenty of joy from the Liverpool fans. Brighton attempted to slow Salah as other teams have, playing him tight, often grabbing and restraining him from completely free movement. Here, it was just a lovely bit of finesse, a faked run to the right, actually going to the left, Solanke playing him through, and 1-0 to Liverpool. The Golden Boot winner had a season to remember, and it was a fitting moment for him.
This win came is stark contrast to Chelsea's 3-0 loss to Rafa Benitez's Newcastle side. Chelsea looked defeated, Conte sounded halfway out the door even before the match, and Anfield erupted with "Rafa Benitez!" chants during the game. From a side that knocked off Liverpool last weekend giving them a fighting chance at top four, to entirely defeated and subjugated to fifth place, Chelsea were out of sorts and will likely enter next season with yet another new manager. Consider that, then look at Liverpool's situation. They have secured top four, have the biggest game in European football set to come, a manager beloved by fans and players alike, and a team with passion in the football they're playing. This is not to insult Chelsea (there is a reason they won the league last year and beat the Reds last weekend, when they're on form and focused they're tough to beat) but merely to highlight the contrasts of two clubs. One is back on the up, the other demands champion-level form on a yearly basis. The hope is that the 'Liverpool Way' implies that they are also built to last.
Final Thoughts:
I want to save my main thoughts for my 'Season in Review' blog that I will post after the Champions League final, but it is tough to be disappointed in what has happened this season. Whatever happens in Kiev will be the cherry on top and no matter what, Liverpool will get the chance to do it all again next season. This was a total complete performance on a beautiful day in Merseyside full of celebrations and joy. What a season it was. But Liverpool is not finished yet. The final 90 minutes of the Premier League are done, but 90 minutes in Kiev remain.
Game Story:
The game went off to a flying start, Liverpool had two handball penalty shouts and another on a potential foul on Mo Salah in the box. While the handball shouts were certainly debatable, I thought the foul on Salah seemed to be a penalty. Alas, it was not meant to be. But Liverpool put their heads down and found the breakthrough in the 26th minute, off a nice play through from Dominic Solanke, Salah got his 32nd of the league campaign and the Reds were officially off and running. There was another massive chance in the 30th when Mane and Salah were through 2-on-0 against Maty Ryan, the Brighton keeper, but Mane was almost too unselfish and rolled Salah through which Ryan snuffed out, and the following shot from the trailing Solanke was cleared off the line.
With chance-after-chance, the 1-0 scoreline seemed to almost flatter the Seagulls who continually attempted blocks and clearances with reckless abandon. That changed in the 40th minute as they failed to fully clear a corner, Andy Robertson swung a stellar cross in, and Dejan Lovren met it with a beautiful running leap and headed the ball home. The lead was doubled before the half and all the momentum stayed with the Reds. Dominic Solanke in the 53rd was played through by Mo Salah and finished brilliantly of the top bar and in to make it 3-0. The young striker finally found the net, a well-deserved reward for the hard-working striker. Andy Robertson was also rewarded in the 85th with a cracking strike of his own to make it 4-0, and with that he wrapped up a truly dominating performance.
How Did This Happen:
It was the complete performance from Jurgen's Reds, dealing with a knock to James Milner proved no problem and Solanke finally found the back of the net almost as if to reward Klopp for his faith in him. The four attackers proved to be far too much for Brighton as, despite their unity in defense, they found themselves overwhelmed and constantly under attack. Liverpool had enough chances to finish with even more than four but some chances simply couldn't fall their way. This was no matter though, the result of 4-0 reflects the domination on the pitch no problem. And the fans will take the Champions League spot, no question.
The man of the hour is, of course, Mo Salah as he broke the Premier League record for most goals in a single-season with 32. The Egyptian had been out of scoring form the past two games, however he found his way through and shattered the record in a moment that brought out plenty of joy from the Liverpool fans. Brighton attempted to slow Salah as other teams have, playing him tight, often grabbing and restraining him from completely free movement. Here, it was just a lovely bit of finesse, a faked run to the right, actually going to the left, Solanke playing him through, and 1-0 to Liverpool. The Golden Boot winner had a season to remember, and it was a fitting moment for him.
This win came is stark contrast to Chelsea's 3-0 loss to Rafa Benitez's Newcastle side. Chelsea looked defeated, Conte sounded halfway out the door even before the match, and Anfield erupted with "Rafa Benitez!" chants during the game. From a side that knocked off Liverpool last weekend giving them a fighting chance at top four, to entirely defeated and subjugated to fifth place, Chelsea were out of sorts and will likely enter next season with yet another new manager. Consider that, then look at Liverpool's situation. They have secured top four, have the biggest game in European football set to come, a manager beloved by fans and players alike, and a team with passion in the football they're playing. This is not to insult Chelsea (there is a reason they won the league last year and beat the Reds last weekend, when they're on form and focused they're tough to beat) but merely to highlight the contrasts of two clubs. One is back on the up, the other demands champion-level form on a yearly basis. The hope is that the 'Liverpool Way' implies that they are also built to last.
Final Thoughts:
I want to save my main thoughts for my 'Season in Review' blog that I will post after the Champions League final, but it is tough to be disappointed in what has happened this season. Whatever happens in Kiev will be the cherry on top and no matter what, Liverpool will get the chance to do it all again next season. This was a total complete performance on a beautiful day in Merseyside full of celebrations and joy. What a season it was. But Liverpool is not finished yet. The final 90 minutes of the Premier League are done, but 90 minutes in Kiev remain.
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