HT Notes: Huddersfield 0-2 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Premier League - HUDLIV

Pre-match notes:

14th Huddersfield's league run:
D D L L L

4th Liverpool's league run:
W W W W L

Six changes for Liverpool after their FA Cup defeat against West Brom, keeper, three in defence, two in midfield. Not really surprising after the last couple of results and Jürgen Klopp's general rotation policy and rhythm this season.

David Wagner made seven changes from his side's 1-1 FA Cup draw against Birmingham, a long injury list not helping the German, but a bold move with just three at the back, a clear message to his best mate, no favours tonight!

I'm expecting the worst, but hoping for the best, don't have a clue what to expect after the last few matches... #LIVMCI #SWALIV #LIVWBA 💩🙈🙏🏻🙈💩

My (optimistic) prediction: 1-2 (cursing myself) #jinx? #COYR ⚽️👊🏻👏🏻👊🏻⚽️

Match notes:

1' Kick-off by the Reds, the ground bouncing, echoing, mad, the French commentators not knowing what hit them. Love it.

3' Mané messes up collecting a fine cross, fails to break past the last two in the process, Firmino picks the ball up, shoots from afar, Lössl has it, easy. First attempt on target though.

6' Chaotic start, neither side settling, the ball bouncing and falling here, there and everywhere, the fans still dominating every and all attention and focus! Awesome!

8' Can loses the ball just as Liverpool looked like dominating and pressing, the home side hit back with some lovely interplay, keeping the ball well.

9' Karius collects. And breath. Robertson breaks on the other side, right side of the box, wins a throw, comes to nothing.

11' Free kick to the Terriers near the centre circle, they're taking it slow.

12' Neither side able to keep the ball atm, give, take, shake, make, break, leak...

13' Milner puts the ball out for a goal kick, no threat by the visitors there.

14' Robertson smashes the ball out for another goal kick, I think that was supposed to be a cross...

15' Huddersfield threat cleared, the only thing Liverpool are dominating at the moment is possession, nearly 80%!

17' KARIUS SAVE! Van La Parra cross from the left met by Depoitre free in the box, right-foot shot is kept out nicely, strong save, the Red defence just watching again, where was the cover? I think I've scribbled and questioned that plenty of times before in much frustration...

20' Lössl collects, after Salah surrounded by Huddersfield players was unable to do much with the ball.

22' First corner for the Reds, Salah won it and takes it, punched away by Lössl, another Liverpool corner on the other side eventually.

23' Milner takes the second corner, cleared, the Reds keep the ball and the home side back, on guard.

24' CAN SHOT curled to the left corner, Lössl dives to his right, keeps it out. Strong performance by the stopper so far.

Over halfway through the half, Huddersfield can be happy the way they have kept Liverpool out and frustrated - CAN SCORES WHILST I WRITE THAT!!! 0-1 deflected right-footed low volley from outside the box into the bottom right-hand corner, a smacker, no chance for Lössl. 26' #BOOM

30' Liverpool with 90% possession over the last 10ish minutes, a couple of chances blocked, I wouldn't say they are bossing it just one goal ahead, but will be very happy having finally broken down the Terriers! The Red fans are now the louder ones, just. Hardly.

35' Lössl collects, most of the play has been around the centre circle, neither side pushing for much, the Reds dominating possession still.

37' Kongolo clears another Liverpool threat, Salah behind him in the box, not far, well played.

39' Mané concedes a free kick, Hogg falling all over him, a couple of yards outside the box...

40' Ref Friend is taking his time, making the marks, whistles, nice curled shot by Löwe but wide, not far off though. The crowd is on fire.

42' BALL IN THE NET FOR HUDDERSFIELD but the ref had already blown the whistle, flag up against Mooy, calm down (talking to myself).

43' Firmino flagged offside as Lössl blocks his shot away with his gloves.

45' Liverpool pouncing around the Huddersfield box again and again, the home side blocking and defending for their lives.

FIRMINO MAKES IT TWOOOOO as the announcement of one minute added on is made. From the tightest of tight angles on the left, right-footed sneaky low shot in past Lössl, squeezed between keeper and post, 0-2.

And that is half time, 0-2. #WOOHOOOOO

HT Stats: HUD 0-2 LIV
Possession: 23%-77%
Shots: 2-7
On target: 1-4
Corners: 0-3
Fouls: 2-4

The Terriers looked to frustrate their visitors, but the Reds are on top at the break thanks to Can and Firmino.

Liverpool Goals: Can 26' & Firmino 45'+1.

Huddersfield Team: 1 Lössl; 5 Löwe, 25 Jorgensen, 26 Schindler, 5 Kongolo, 33 Hadergjonaj; 8 Billing, 6 Hogg (c), 10 Mooy; 20 Depoitre, 24 Mounié. 5-3-2 (not 3-5-2 as first thought)
Subs not used: 2 Smith, 13 Coleman, 17 van La Parra, 21 Pritchard, 22 Ince, 23 Quaner, 44 Hefele.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 6 Gomez; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 19 Mané, 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 4 van Dijk, 5 Wijnaldum, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 22 Mignolet, 29 Solanke, Ings, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Referee: Kevin Friend
Ground: The John Smith's Stadium

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and SFR coverage.