Mohamed Salah’s goal was the difference between Huddersfield and Liverpool on Saturday. The Reds had chances to extend the margin, but our attack was off balance at the Terriers.
Jurgen Klopp made a few changes to the side due to a number of injuries sustained during the international break, and it affected our attacking ability during the first quarter of an hour.
Liverpool are second to Manchester City only on goal difference and this slim win will give us more confidence as we head into our must-win game against Red Star in the Champions League.
Here are the five talking points from the game.
1) Jurgen Klopp finally makes changes
It was refreshing to see Klopp make a number of changes to the Liverpool team. The international break might have played a part as Daniel Sturridge, Xherdan Shaqiri and Adam Lallana all made a start.
Sadio Mane was left out while Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum were on the bench. Giving minutes to the other players is important for the rest of the campaign, and even if we didn’t play slick football, we still got the win.
2) Adam Lallana is back
Lallana was the surprising name in the starting XI as the Englishman started a game for the first time this season.
The former Saint has struggled for fitness and did look a little rusty. However, he did produce some quality flicks and Cruyff turns.
Lallana will be an important player as the season progresses. He played on the left, for some reason on Saturday, however, his best position is just behind the attacking trio.
3) The attack is still worrisome for the Reds
Another game, another one-goal victory. However, we just don’t seem to be opening opponents like last season. Manchester City cut through the opposition like a knife through hot butter while we seem like a plastic spork trying to carve a steak.
We created a few chances but our players seemed to snatch at them. Klopp needs to have a word with the attack as Firmino, Salah and Shaqiri made the wrong pass in the final third.
This was Huddersfield and we were let off but against the likes of City, we will be made to pay for our poor finishing.
4) Fabinho deserves more minutes
The Brazilian has slowly gotten more playing time, and did a decent job when brought in with 20 minutes or so remaining.
Fabinho is the only summer signing yet to start a Premier League game for the Reds, but he looked good and could start for us against Red Star Belgrade.
It will be interesting to see how he fits into our system but from a few glimpses, he is confident with the ball at his feet and was willing to take on the opposition defenders with his dribbling ability.
5) Liverpool have some luck on their side
There have been numerous decisions that haven’t gone our way during Klopp’s tenure but we sure are riding our luck now.
Manchester City could have had a penalty when Dejan Lovren tapped Sergio Aguero in our previous Premier League game. This time, James Milner handled the ball but the referee didn’t give a penalty.
Huddersfield also had a shot come off the post, and they failed to take advantage when Virgil van Dijk and Lovren failed to clear the ball in the Liverpool defence.
The Reds have taken advantage of such situations this season, and long may that continue as we desperately look to win some silverware under Klopp.
