Liverpool Crush Sorry Swans 5-0

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 5:0 SCFC

Liverpool thrashed managerless bottom side Swansea 5-0 at Anfield in the late kick-off on Boxing Day, a dominant home victory that consolidated their place in the top four.

Philippe Coutinho captained the Reds in Jordan Henderson's absence.

The Brazilian Barcelona target opened the scoring with a perfectly timed whip, curled into the top corner from 20 yards out, with just six minutes gone.

Caretaker player-manager Leon Britton had organised the Welsh side well though to keep the home side at bay and cover cover cover, the lead staying just 1-0 at the break.

Liverpool had made four changes to the side that drew against Arsenal on Friday. It was a first Premier League start for Swansea frontman Oliver McBurnie.

But the home side soon took over and their opposition out, Roberto Firmino doubling the lead six minutes after the break, firing home Coutinho's free kick.

Scouse youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold made it three with his first Premier League goal for the club, smashing the ball in off the bar from close range, with his family watching.

Firmino tapped home the fourth a couple of minutes later, off Mohamed Salah's fine cut back, his fifth in four Premier League appearances against the Swans.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made it five in the final ten minutes, pouncing on a poor clearance by Jordan Ayew.

And it could have been more, substitute Dominic Solanke coming close a few times,keeping stopper Lukasz Fabianski stretched left, right and centre.

Salah was not on the scoreboard for a change, wasting a few good chances but providing a couple.

The Welsh side had crumbled to bits after working oh so hard, Britton crying out for help and changes, quickly.

LFC manager Jürgen Klopp was a very happy man, but pointed out the hard work of the first 55 minutes.

And then the fun started for the Reds, "the last half an hour was fantastic, a joy to watch, a deserved win." Indeed.

It was the 10th time Liverpool have scored 5+ goals in 128 matches in all competitions under their German boss (6th time in the Premier League, 4th at home)

Keeper Simon Mignolet can also be very happy, keeping a clean sheet on his 200th Liverpool appearance after making a great fingertip save denying Tammy Abraham with the last touch of the game.

Since getting thrashed by Tottenham on the 22nd October, the Reds have been unbeaten in 14 games (9W, 5D), scored 45 goals and conceded 10.

Klopp's men have scored 72 goals in all competitions this season, way ahead of the likes of Barcelona (67), Manchester United (63), Chelsea (60) and Real Madrid (59).

The Brazilian duo have 43 goal involvements between them this season, man of the match Firmino with 15 goals and 7 assists, Coutinho 13 and 8 respectively.

And at home, Liverpool have only been behind for three minutes all season, conceding just three goals in the league at Anfield this season, the best defensive record in the Premier League.

But somehow it still feels like there is room for improvement, too many times the Reds have been shaken and dropped points disappointingly.

And with the January transfer window moving closer and closer, the rumours and talks are heating up once again.

But first things first, next on the fixture list are Leicester at Anfield on Saturday.

Liverpool Goals: Coutinho 6', Firmino 52', Alexander-Arnold 65', Firmino 66', Oxlade-Chamberlain 82'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 26 Robertson (7 Milner 75'), 17 Klavan, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain; 10 Coutinho, 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 68'), 11 Salah (20 Lallana 69'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez, 19 Mané.

Swansea Team: 1 Fabianski; 16 Olsson (booked 56'), 6 Mawson, 33 Fernandez, 26 Naughton; 14 Carroll, 51 Mesa (17 Clucas 65'), 8 Fer (35 Renato Sanches 78'); 62 McBurnie (10 Abraham 62'), 18 Ayew, 15 Routledge. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 5 van der Hoorn, 12 Dyer, 13 Nordfeldt, 22 Rangel.

HT Stats: LFC 1-0 SCFC
Possession: 52%-48%
Shots: 8-3
On target: 2-2
Corners: 1-0
Fouls: 3-4
Yellow cards: 0-0

FT Stats: LFC 5-0 SCFC
Possession: 55%-45%
Shots: 22-7
On target: 9-4
Corners: 4-2
Fouls: 5-8
Yellow cards: 0-1

Referee: Kevin Friend
Man of the match: Roberto Firmino
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 52,850

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

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

Crazy Six-Goal Draw At Arsenal

Sports - Football - Premier League - AFC 3:3 LFC

Three goals in 388 crazy second-half seconds saw Arsenal come back from two goals down, but Liverpool grabbed a third to make it 3-3 and a point each in a gob-smacking encounter at the Emirates on Friday Night Football.

The Reds bossed the Gunners around in the first half and could have been three or four goals up at the break.

Despite losing captain Jordan Henderson early on due to a suspected hamstring injury, James Milner replacing him, the visitors dominated.

But only Philippe Coutinho's first headed goal for the club separated the two sides at half time, both Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah missing a couple of sitters.

The great Egyptian doubled the visitors' lead after the interval with a deflected strike after another one of his great individual runs, recording his 15th league goal of the season.

It looked like Jürgen Klopp's side were going to crush the home side, such was their command.

But suddenly Arsène Wenger's men woke up!

Alexis Sánchez headed in Hector Bellerin's cross from close range before Simon Mignolet failed to save Granit Xhaka's powerful strike from 25 yards.

A couple of minutes later Mesut Özil clipped the ball over Mignolet off Alexandre Lacazette's cheeky back heel to make it 3-2 and turn the game on its head.

Liverpool were gob-smacked. Frozen, zoned-out defence + slow, insecure keeper = three goals conceded in 388 seconds, their confident two-goal lead out the window.

It was end-to-end stuff after that goal-rush, both sides looking to add more to the scoreboard.

The Reds had the final say thanks to man of the match Roberto Firmino's powerful finish, Arsenal keeper Petr Cech could only slow it down but not stop it from bouncing over the line.

So, 3-3 it ended, the point keeping Liverpool in fourth and Arsenal in fifth, a point between the two.

Under Klopp, the Reds have lost 43 points in the league from winning positions, the most of any team in Europe.

There is no doubt in their strike force, the "Fab Four", but it's the back that crumbled and leaked too much once again.

But hey, we're used to goals galore between these two sides!

There have been 27 goals scored in the past five Premier League meetings (10 for Arsenal, 17 for Liverpool), an average of 5.4 goals per game!

Liverpool have scored 54 away goals in all competitions in 2017, their most in a calendar year since 1982 (66).

And since Klopp's first Premier League game in October 2015, the Reds have seen 279 goals in their games (174 scored, 105 conceded), more than any other side.

I don't know whether to cheer or cry or both, because we're so awesome and useless at the same time (front and back respectively, contrast).

Something/someone has to change in January to make sure these insecurities don't end up costing and make us drop out of the top four!

Arsenal Goals: Sánchez 53', Xhaka 56', Özil 58'.

Liverpool Goals: Coutinho 26', Salah 52', Firmino 71'.

Arsenal Team: 33 Cech; 24 Bellerin, 6 Koscielny (c), 18 Monreal (20 Mustafi 45'), 30 Maitland-Niles; 10 Wilshere, 29 Xhaka; 17 Iwobi (booked 58') (23 Welbeck 78'), 11 Özil, 7 Sánchez (14 Walcott 89'); 9 Lacazette. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 13 Ospina, 31 Kolasinac, 34 Coquelin, 35 Elneny.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 12 Gomez, 6 Lovren, 17 Klavan, 26 Robertson; 14 Henderson (c) (7 Milner 13'), 23 Can; 11 Salah, 10 Coutinho (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 84'), 19 Mané (5 Wijnaldum 80'); 9 Firmino. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 20 Lallana, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

HT Stats: AFC 0-1 LFC
Possession: 52%-48%
Shots: 4-8
On target: 0-4
Corners: 3-3
Fouls: 4-4

FT Stats: AFC 3-3 LFC
Possession: 54%-46%
Shots: 11-14
On target: 4-9
Corners: 7-8
Fouls: 9-11
Yellow cards: 1-0

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: Roberto Firmino
Ground: Emirates
Attendance: 59,409

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

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

Liverpool Boss It 0-4 At Bournemouth

Sports - Football - Premier League - AFCB 0:4 Liverpool

Liverpool bossed the show and cruised to a 0-4 win at Bournemouth to move up to fourth in the Premier League table on Super Sunday.

Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a bit of magic after hitting the post with a free-kick earlier on.

The Brazilian made it five goals in five games after a fine run, moving too quick for the Bournemouth defenders, before slotting the ball past Asmir Begović.

Dejan Lovren doubled the score for the visitors at the Vitality Stadium soon after with a fine header.

Star man Mohamed Salah made it 0-3 before half-time after Jermain Defoe had hit the post for the home side.

The great Egyptian produced one of his excellent quick runs before netting his 11th goal in 11 games, and his 20th of the season.

The man of the match became the first Liverpool player to score at least 20 league and cup goals in a single season since Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge in 2013-14, and the first to score 20 goals before Christmas since the great legend Ian Rush in 1986-7.

Roberto Firmino got the deserved fourth with a diving header to seal the win 0-4 and extend the Reds' unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions.

The convincing victory was much needed after disappointing draws at home against Everton and West Brom and took Jürgen Klopp's men up to fourth, above Arsenal and Burnley, but still 18 points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Eddie Howe's side meanwhile, stay 16th in the table, only one point above the relegation zone, after their sixth game without a win (3D, 3L).

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine league games (6W, 3D), their best run since an 11-match run ended in November 2016.

They are the first team in top-flight history to win four consecutive away games by a margin of at least three goals.

Next for the Reds is a trip to London on Friday night, where they will face Arsenal at the Emirates.

One can only hope they keep the confidence from this win and if they play against the Gunners as they did in the reverse fixture or last season's stunning opener, they should be fine and able to extend that thrashing away record.

Liverpool Goals: Coutinho 20', Lovren 26', Salah 44', Firmino 66'.

Bournemouth Team: 27 Begovic; 15 Smith, 2 Francis (c), 5 Aké (booked 10'), 11 Daniels (3 S Cook 56'); 33 Ibe, 16 L Cook, 6 Surman, 7 Pugh (24 Fraser 45'); 17 King (19 Stanislas 31'); 18 Defoe. 4-4-1-1
Subs not used: 1 Boruc, 4 Gosling, 8 Arter, 9 Afobe.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 12 Gomez, 6 Lovren, 17 Klavan, 26 Robertson; 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum; 11 Salah (20 Lallana 71' (booked 73')), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 76'), 10 Coutinho (28 Ings 87'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 7 Milner, 10 Mané, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

HT Match Stats: AFCB 0-3 LFC
Possession: 45%-55%
Shots: 3-11
On target: 1-5
Corners: 1-2
Fouls: 4-3
Yellow cards: 1-0

FT Match Stats: AFCB 0-4 LFC
Possession: 44%-56%
Shots: 6-21
On target: 2-7
Corners: 2-3
Fouls: 5-10
Yellow cards: 1-1

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Mohamed Salah
Ground: Vitality Stadium
Attendance: 10,780

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

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

Rooney Grabs A Point From The Spot

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 1:1 EFC

Here are my live match notes, stats and facts:

Pre-match surprise: Coutinho and Firmino dropped to the bench, part of six changes for the Reds!!! (See the full line-ups at the bottom of these live match notes.)

15' 76%-24% possession, Reds pushing, Toffees leaving too much space at times, Big Sam going ballistic on the sideline, even Jürgen Klopp was taken aback next to the big raging boss.

23' 93%-46% passing accuracy, quality and dominance but still no real danger nor breakthrough.

29' 5-0 attempts, 0-0 on target, on top but somewhat disappointing so far for the Reds.

36' first BOOKING of the derby goes to Sigurdsson for a late tackle on Henderson, studs on ankle, ouch.

42' second BOOKING Gueye, late tackle from behind on Senegalese team mate Mané, free kick for the home side on the left -

GOAL - Salah fights his way through from the right, lifts and swerves a beauty up, away and into the left corner with his magical left foot, keeper no chance, 1-0!

Two minutes added on.

MISS - Mané skips past the last Toffee, runs in from the left, has three other Reds free in front of goal to choose from, but the Senegalese striker puts it wide instead. Should have been 2-0!

HT LFC 1-0 EFC
Possession: 80%-20%
Shots: 12-1
On target: 1-1
Corners: 3-0
Fouls: 4-6
Yellow cards: 0-2

Two CHANGES made by Big Sam after the break, Lennon and Schneiderlin on for Davies and Niasse. Rooney has gone from useless right-back to up front. Will it bring Everton into the game?

49' Salah header JUST wide, brilliant Milner cross. Liverpool continuing the way they were going, on top, dominant.

50' Sigurdsson puts the ball wide from the left, no real threat.

52' Fifth corner to the Reds, looking dangerous, Toffees struggling, crumbling, sixth corner, headed away, threat still not cleared, all Liverpool at the moment.

55' Seventh and eighth Liverpool corner, Salah fires it high from the edge of the box. 15-1 shots, but just 1-1 on target.

63' 77%-23% possession, I don't know how that has gone down, it's still all Red, one-way traffic. 35-2 touches in the opposition box.

65' Pickford was just watching there as Gomez headed the ball over off a free kick on the left, close one.

67' First CHANGE made by Klopp, Firmino replaces goal scorer Salah. Calculated gamble by the German boss, the commentators ask.

73' 11-1 corners, first one for the visitors, the fans cheer as if they've scored, nothing from it.

76' PENALTY TO EVERTON Lovren pushed down Calvert-Lewin in the box, no one else near, no threat as they were running towards the corner, clumsy one, soft one, a present. The visitors' first penalty at Anfield since 1988!!!

77' ROONEY EQUALISES from the spot, his first EVER goal in the Merseyside derby, Liverpool punished for their misses and clumsiness.

80' CHANGE Klopp brings on Coutinho for Oxlade-Chamberlain in response to that equaliser, Lovren had been booked for the penalty offence.

82' CHANGE Solanke is replaced by Ings, final dice thrown by Klopp.

82' Last CHANGE for Everton as well, Rooney handing the captain's armband over to Jagielka.

85' Schneiderlin BOOKED for felling down Milner. Coutinho to take the resulting free kick, Pickford saves and collects it to his top right. 22-3 shots, only 3-2 on target.

88' Lovren heads another Liverpool corner high. He will be kicking himself for giving away the win.

Four minutes added on, Firmino on the stretch, ball goes out for a goal kick. Henderson fires high late on, disappointing.

Full time whistle blows, Lovren still protesting to the officials, but he can moan as much as he likes, he has given the win away with the penalty foul. 1-1 and one point each, all the dominance and chances don't count for anything!

Positive note: Liverpool remain unbeaten in the last ten matches in all competitions and have equalled their longest-ever unbeaten run against the Toffees in all competitions = 15 games, set between March 1972 and April 1978.

FT LFC 1-1 EFC
Possession: 79%-21%
Shots: 23-3
On target: 3-2
Corners: 2-1
Fouls: 8-11
Yellow cards: 1-3

Klopp's post-match interview!!! Wow! The German normal and usually smiley one didn't take the questions about the spot kick lightly!!! No matter how angry he is about the referee, he can't ignore his side's weaknesses and how they couldn't take the game away from Big Sam's side. Next: West Brom at Anfield on Wednesday!

Liverpool team: 22 Mignolet, 12 Gomez, 6 Lovren (booked 76'), 17 Klavan, 26 Robertson, 14 Henderson (c), 7 Milner, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (10 Coutinho 78'), 19 Mané, 11 Salah (9 Firmino 67'), 29 Solanke (28 Ings 82'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Everton team: 1 Pickford, 43 Kenny, 15 Martina, 30 Holgate, 5 Williams, 17 Gueye (booked 42'), 29 Calvert-Lewin, 26 Davies (12 Lennon HT), 10 Rooney (c) (6 Jagielka 82'), 18 Sigurdsson (booked 36'), 19 Niasse (2 Schneiderlin HT, booked 85'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 33 Robles, 4 Keane, 27 Vlasic, 31 Lookman.

Referee: Craig Pawson
Man of the match: Jonjoe Kenny
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,082

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and Sky Sports live match coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 15

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 15

The 15th week of the Premier League action saw:

27 goals - most by Liverpool = 5
257 shots - most by Arsenal = 33
91 on target - most by Arsenal = 16
106 corners - most by Arsenal = 12
189 fouls - most by Watford = 16
30 yellow cards - most by Watford = 4
2 red cards - Sanchez for Tottenham, Pogba for United
2 penalties - 2 scored (Hazard for Chelsea, Murray for Brighton)

What a game! Arsenal suffered their first home defeat at the Emirates since January, losing 1-3 against 10-man Manchester United. The Gunners fell two goals behind after 11 minutes and couldn't recover after those errors, no matter what they threw at the Red Devils. The defeat sees Arsène Wenger's men drop out of the Champions League qualification places to fifth. More to the fiery encounter below.
Watford were unlucky just to get a point against Tottenham, referee Martin Atkinson not making (m)any friends at Vicarage Road. Less than a minute after the home side felt Richarlison was fouled, but nothing was given, Son Heung-min levelled the score from the counter. Christian Kabasele had headed the Hornets ahead from a corner and the home side fought hard to stay in the match. Too hard and physical according to some, but the officials ignored all appeals and calls on both sides. Mauricio Pochettino felt it was long overdue for some decisions to go his side's way, avoiding any further word about Davinson Sánchez's red card for an elbow. Spurs have now gone four league matches without a win, unable to deal with Marco Silva's side's fighting spirit.

What a team! Man City are still topping the lot with an eight-point cushion - next weekend's derby is going to be interesting! The odds on an 8-0 win to the league leaders against West Ham were lower than the visitors nicking a 0-1 win at the Etihad, which said it all!!! But the Hammers started so well and worked so hard though and got a surprise lead in the first half thanks to Angelo Ogbonna's header. However, it was no surprise they got knackered and leaked the goals in the end, Nicolás Otamendi (57') and David Silva (83') handing the Citizens their record-equalling 13th PL win in a row in Pep time.
Crystal Palace have moved off the bottom of the table for the first time this season and have been replaced by Swansea after the Welsh side's 2-1 defeat at Stoke. Mark Hughes was a very relieved man seeing his side showing much more "courage and character" as he put it after the Potters recorded their first win since October, first home win since September. The pressure is up and going more and more against Paul Clement. Despite failing to score for the 10th away game in a row for the first time since Manchester City in 1950, the Eagles were happy with the point at West Brom, Alan Pardew full of praise for his side too.
Huddersfield are sliding down the table, Everton making it two wins and six goals in two games and Big Sam very happy after his first match in charge beating the Tigers 2-0 at Goodison Park.

What a man! Man of the match at the Emirates David de Gea made the most saves in a single match in Premier League history = 14, including a breathtaking double-save against Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sánchez. 33 attempts made by the home side, 16 on target, but just one goal to show for on the scoreboard. José Mourinho's side produced just 8 shots, 4 on target, but 3 goals meant 3 points. It was a thriller and a very harsh lesson to the London side, despite having the extra man for the last 15ish minutes after Paul Pogba was sent off for a dangerous tackle.
Man of the Match at Stamford Bridge Eden Hazard made a big difference for Chelsea as the Blues came back from a goal down to beat Newcastle 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. The former Premier League Player of the Year levelled the score with an angled strike and sealed the win from the spot after striker Álvaro Morata had given the Blues the lead. This result made it ten wins for Antonio Conte's side in the league, whilst Rafael Benítez's Magpies have seen no wins in the last six and been dragged down to 15th, 5 points from the drop zone.

What a goal! All FIVE Liverpool goals just over-rolled Brighton... Great team play, counter attacking, running, passing, smashing. Mohamed Salah wasn't on the scoreboard for a change but was more than involved. The Egyptian has played part in 15 goals in the first 15 PL games for Liverpool, more than any other player for the club (12 goals, 3 assists). Man of the match Philippe Coutinho's cheeky low free kick that went under the wall made it four and settled any nerves and fears of a comeback like Sevilla in the Champions League. And unlucky Lewis Dunk put the ball into his own net it sealed the deal 1-5 at the Amex Stadium. The Brighton defender is only one away from Martin Škrtel's record for the season (= 4 in 2013/14). The Reds meanwhile have moved into the top four of the Premier League for the first time since August after scoring 15 goals in their past four away games in all competitions. BOOM!

What the hell?! There were lots of questionable refereeing decisions once again, as (some) mentioned above... Penalties... Bookings... Red cards... The inconsistencies are just mad! I could fill books with all the errors (and arguments FOR video reviews and WHY THE HELL they still haven't been introduced)! Bournemouth defender Adam Smith said in the post-match interview referee Jonathan Moss admitted his booking for diving was a mistake instead of a giving a penalty - too little too late as the game against Southampton ended 1-1!!! And as it is Cherry's fifth yellow card of the season he will be suspended for the next game. It's ridiculous that it cannot be retracted. It is rare an official so openly concedes a mistake, so, something should be done!!!
And a little LOL to cheer up and finish things off: I loved Gary Lineker's MOTD running order prank on Twitter, LMAO!

My Predictions - Actual Results
Chelsea 4:1 Newcastle - 3:1
Brighton 1:3 Liverpool - 1:5
Everton 3:0 Huddersfield - 2:0
Leicester 1:1 Burnley - 1:0
Stoke City 2:1 Swansea - 2:1
Watford 2:1 Tottenham - 1:1
West Brom 0:0 Crystal Palace - 0:0
Arsenal 2:1 Man United - 1:3
Bournemouth 2:1 Southampton - 1:1
Man City 6:0 West Ham - 2:1

Click here for my previous Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR live match coverage.

Willian Nicks A Late Point For Chelsea At Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 1:1 CFC

Substitute Willian grabbed a point for Chelsea late on, Liverpool failing to hang on to a lead once again after Mohamed Salah put them ahead, the much anticipated Premier League clash ending 1-1 at Anfield.

Liverpool started strong, dominant in possession, in control but didn't produce much danger, not giving Thibaut Courtois much to do.

Halfway through the half saw a block by Simon Mignolet one-on-one against a dangerous Eden Hazard and then seconds later the Belgian keeper put Davide Zappacosta's attempt out for a corner, followed by ping pong in and around the box, tense, tense, tense, first real chances and pressure by the Blues, or either side actually.

Chelsea were all over the Reds in those crazy ten-ish minutes, Marcos Alonso's 25-yard free kick going over the wall but bending just about a yard wide. And breath.

A threatening Salah created most for the home side, putting a left-footed shot just wide a few minutes before the break, still no shots on target for the Reds though, Courtois looked beaten but remained unthreatened.

The referee Michael Oliver ignored a penalty shout against Hazard bringing down Philippe Coutinho in the box as an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain threat was cleared. It would have been harsh.

It stayed goalless at the break, Liverpool with more of the ball, but Chelsea with more chances and closer to breaking the deadlock.

Chelsea were on top after the interval, Hazard tumbling into the box a bit too over-dramatic, nothing given.

Seconds later Courtois spilled Daniel Sturridge's cross/shot, the ball squirming under the keeper and out for a corner, Liverpool's first of the match. The second followed shortly after, both were cleared.

A daft kick out by Tiemoué Bakayoko against Coutinho conceded a free kick, which the Brazilian took and saw blocked out for a corner. Joel Matip wasted that set piece out for a goal kick.

The first attempt on target for the Reds came in the 55th minute, skipper Jordan Henderson with a shot, easily collected by Courtois.

Another penalty shout came with just under an hour gone, this time against Gary Cahill, Sturridge's ball, arms by his side, nothing in it, game on.

Chelsea threatened a couple of more times with Zappacosta and Alvaro Morata before Liverpool mounted threats and chances of their own with Coutinho and Salah.

The Egyptian former Chelsea man then finally found the breakthrough, nicking the ball off Bakayoko in the box and putting it past Courtois and in, 1-0 with 65 minutes gone. Cheeky, too easy, his 15th of the season, BOOM!

Jürgen Klopp took off Sturridge straight after LFC took the lead, Georginio Wijnaldum replacing the under-fire striker with just under 25 minutes to go.

The game slowed down a lot after that. Chelsea needed changes, made changes, more attacking after falling behind.

Substitute Wijnaldum saw a shot deflected out for a corner by Cahill, before some poor decision making by Chelsea conceded another counter by the Reds which won them a corner.

So, both sides kept threatening, Alonso missing the biggest sitter right in front of goal, kicking the ball high in the sky with his left foot.

The Reds did look nervy at the back, it's surprising they had only conceded once at Anfield in the Premier League this season.

That was until Willian stunned and fooled everyone with a cross/shot from the right edge of the box, the curl and turn lifting over and beating Mignolet to make it 1-1 with five minutes to go.

Five very tense minutes, plus three added on which saw a late double-change for the Reds, Adam Lallana returning from injury and coming on with Sadio Mané, and a great save by Courtois denying Salah late on.

It ended a goal and point each, the Reds throwing away a lead once again, disappointing, but showing much more strength, fight and threat against the Blues, who will be much happier with the point, Antonio Conte's reaction said it all.

Much in contrast to that, Mané was not happy with Klopp after the match, no surprise there. Everyone was caught out by the German's changes and too late substitutions, he blamed it all on the referee in the post-match interview. Harsh.

With this draw Liverpool remain unbeaten in their last six Premier League meetings with Chelsea.
However, the Blues haven't lost any of their last six Premier League visits to Anfield.

One point gained, but two points dropped in the chase for the top four, especially annoying after Tottenham also dropped points against managerless strugglers West Brom earlier in the day.

No rest for the wicked as Liverpool will travel to Stoke on Wednesday.

Liverpool Goal: Salah 65'.

Chelsea Goal: Willian 85'.

HT Stats: LFC 0-0 CFC
Possession: 64%-36%
Shots: 6-7
On target: 0-2
Corners: 0-5
Fouls 5-4
Yellow cards: 0-0

FT Stats: LFC 1-1 CFC
Possession: 53%-47%
Shots: 16-11
On target: 4-3
Corners: 7-8
Fouls: 10-7
Yellow cards: 0-0

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 18 Moreno, 17 Klavan, 32 Matip, 12 Gomez; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c), 21 Oxlade- Chamberlain (19 Mané 89'); 10 Coutinho (20 Lallana 89'), 15 Sturridge (5 Wijnaldum 66'), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Substitutes not used: 1 Karius, 9 Firmino, 26 Robertson, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Chelsea Team: 13 Courtois; 24 Cahill, 27 Christensen, 28 Azpilicueta; 7 Kanté; 3 Alonso, 14 Bakayoko (11 Pedro 77'), 6 Drinkwater (4 Fàbregas 74'), 21 Zappacosta (22 Willian 83'); 10 Hazard; 9 Morata. 3-1-4-1-1 or more like 8-1-1
Substitutes not used: 1 Caballero, 2 Rüdiger, 15 Moses, 30 David Luiz.

Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the match: Mohamed Salah
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,225

Click here to read my previous LFC match report.

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

3 Goals & A Point Each In Seville

Sports - Football - Champions League - SFC 3:3 LFC

It was a Champions League group game of two halves in Seville, Liverpool bossing the first half going three goals up thanks to Roberto Firmino's double either side of Sadio Mané's header, but vanishing after the break letting the home side grab three goals and a point back, with Wissam Ben Yedder netting twice and Guido Pizarro equalising in the dying moments.

The Reds couldn't have asked for a better start, finding the breakthrough not even two minutes into the game, silencing the stunning Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, where no visitors have won for over a year.

88 seconds gone, unmarked Firmino swept in Georginio Wijnaldum's flick-on off Philippe Coutinho's corner, LFC's second fastest goal in the competition.

Mané doubled the lead 20 minutes later, Firmino the provider this time off another Coutinho corner, the Senegalese striker powering home his first goal for the Reds since 27 August to make it 0-2.

Sevilla had a couple of chances, cup keeper Loris Karius did well denying Nolito before Ben Yedder put an easy chance wide.

And with just half an hour gone, man of the match Firmino made it 0-3 with an easy tap in after Mané's attempt deflected its way to the Brazilian, Liverpool completely bossing the show.

Whatever both bosses said at the break, it completely reversed the game.

Los Rojiblancos came out running all over Liverpool, holding their opponents back completely, pushing, pressing and were soon rewarded for it. The team was back. The fans were back.

Six minutes into the second half, Ben Yedder pulled one back for the home side, Alberto Moreno conceding a free kick which Éver Banega whipped in for the French striker to glance home. And it got much worse for the former Sevilla defender.

Just under an hour gone, the Spaniard conceded a very soft penalty, which had to be retaken to add to the drama, but eventually gave Ben Yedder the double and reduced the hosts' deficit to just one goal.

Jürgen Klopp tried to resuscitate the visitors with a double change, James Milner and Emre Can replacing Moreno and Coutinho respectively, and a bit more organisation did return, but no control.

Captain Jordan Henderson looked a very unhappy and frustrated figure throughout, getting nowhere near the opposition, just no control.

Defenders Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez did well under the circumstances, but the main culprit Moreno had already done the damage and was rightly taken off. Just. Not. Good. Enough.

Sevilla totally made the most of Liverpool's weaknesses, just like happened vice versa in the first half. And it could have been much worse.

Substitute Franco Vazquez fired straight at Karius before Sergio Escudero's smacker hit the underside of the bar before rebounding to safety after the Reds keeper got his hand to it.

But in the dying seconds Pizarro netted the equaliser and banked the point for Eduardo Berizzo's side, unmarked in the centre of the box off a corner.

So, the best and worst from both sides, three goals and a point each, a fair result in the end which keeps the Reds top of the group and Sevilla second, a point separating them with one final group game to go.

It was the first time since May 2014 Liverpool let a three-goal lead slip in a competitive match (v Crystal Palace in the Premier League, also 3-3).

37-18 attempts between the two sides in the two games, Liverpool recording more than double as many shots as Sevilla but scoring and conceding the same (5-5).

The Reds have scored as many goals in the last three Champions League games (13) as they have in the previous 14 combined.

Klopp said he doesn't doubt his side's mentality, calling what happened a misjudgement.

It's a bit more than a misjudgement to throw away a three-goal lead! And the contrast between the two halves was just too shocking to overlook.

Yes, a point at Sevilla is good, but the way the Reds dropped the two points was just shambolic!

Klopp cannot ignore that! Especially with Chelsea next on the fixture list, the German boss will have to fix the problem and fix it quickly, mental or not mental, otherwise they'll be in for another thrashing like against Tottenham!

Sevilla Goals: Ben Yedder 51' & pen 60' & Pizarro 90'+3.

Liverpool Goals: Firmino 2' & 30' & Mané 22'.

Sevilla Team: 1 Sergio Rico; 18 Escudero (c), 5 Lenglet, 12 Geis, 25 Mercado (booked 54'); 14 Pizarro, 10 Banega (booked 45'), 15 N'Zonzi (22 Vazquez 45'); 24 Nolito (20 Muriel 73'), 9 Ben Yedder (11 Correa 81'), 17 Sarabia. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 2 Corchia, 7 Krohn-Dehli, 13 Soria, 16 Navas.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 18 Moreno (booked 38') (7 Milner 63'), 17 Klavan, 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez; 10 Coutinho (23 Can 63' (booked 82')), 14 Henderson (c) (booked 68'), 5 Wijnaldum; 19 Mané, 9 Firmino, 11 Salah (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 15 Sturridge, 22 Mignolet, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

FT Stats: SFC 3-3 LFC
Possession: 70%-30%
Shots: 11-13
On target: 6-7
Corners: 6-7
Fouls: 10-19
Bookings: 2-3

Referee: Dr. Felix Brych (GER)
Man Of The Match: Roberto Firmino
Ground: Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Attendance: 39,495

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and beIN Sport match coverage.

Spurs Thrash LFC 4-1 At Wembley

Sports - Football - Premier League - THFC 4:1 LFC

Harry Kane scored two and set up one as Tottenham downed Liverpool 4-1 at Wembley in the Super Sunday afternoon kick-off.

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The super striker didn't even take four minutes to rip through the Red back line and round keeper Simon Mignolet to break the deadlock.

Eight minutes later, the 24-year-old set up Son Heung-min to double the score, the Red defence just lagging behind.

Mohamed Salah pulled one back for the visitors just over halfway through the first half, putting away Jordan Henderson's through ball.

But just before the interval Dele Alli's volley from the edge of the area made it 3-1.

Kane sealed the deal just over ten minutes after the break after Mignolet flapped and failed to clear a free-kick, the rebound of Jan Vertonghen's shot falling to the Ballon d'Or nominee to make it 4-1.

Liverpool's defence was just over-stretched. All goals were due to leaks, massive gaps, lack of physical presence, speed and any kind of cover.

Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren were nowhere near good enough, too slow, too sloppy, clueless, Joe Gomez and Alberto Moreno unable to cope.

It said it all when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought on for Lovren with just over half an hour gone.

But the visitors were unable to get back into the game, despite Salah's and Philippe Coutinho's best attempts and dominance in possession.

Spurs stopper Hugo Lloris showed the opposition how it's done with some great stops, quick reaction, strong and solid presence. Something the Reds are missing!!!

Their Belgian stopper has made 13 errors leading to goals in the league since making his Liverpool debut in 2013, three more than anyone else.

The London side's boss Mauricio Pochettino was very happy for his fans, in front of Diego Maradona and Kobe Bryant, "Wembley starts to feel home" with a Premier League record crowd of 80,827.

Tottenham are up to third on 20 points, level with United in second, four points ahead of Chelsea in fourth, after their second consecutive win at their new home.

LFC manager Jürgen Klopp took "100% responsibility" pointing out the "bad, bad, bad defence. Their desire was better than ours."

Sad but true. It was no contest. The Reds are left slumbering in ninth on 13 points, trailing the top by 12 points.

Liverpool have conceded 16 goals in the league this season, their worst defensive record after nine top-flight games since 1964-65.

They have struggled most on the road, conceding 15 goals, the most in the league this season.

Next on the fixture list: A little break as the Reds are out of the League Cup, until they host Huddersfield at Anfield on Saturday.

The Tigers are high-flying after beating Manchester United 2-1 in a very convincing, strong, organised and confident display.

Again, something the Reds are missing!!!

Tottenham Goals: Kane 4' & 56', Son Heung-min 12' & Alli 45'+3.

Liverpool Goal: Salah 24'.

Tottenham Team: 1 Lloris, 4 Alderweireld, 6 Sánchez, 5 Vertonghen, 2 Trippier, 23 Eriksen (15 Dier 81'), 29 Winks, 20 Alli, 24 Aurier, 10 Kane (18 Llorente 88'), 7 Son Heung-min (17 Sissoko 69').
Subs not used: 3 Rose, 13 Vorm, 14 Nkoudou, 33 Davies.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet, 12 Gomez, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 31'), 18 Moreno, 7 Milner, 14 Henderson, 23 Can (booked) (16 Grujic 83'), 10 Coutinho, 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 77'), 11 Salah.
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Match Stats: THFC 4-1 LFC
Possession: 36%-64%
Shots: 14-12
On target: 6-7
Corners: 3-5
Fouls: 2-8
Yellow cards: 0-1
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Harry Kane
Ground: Wembley
Attendance: 80,827

Click here for my previous LFC match report. 

All pictures, quotes, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, MOTD2, Twitter and SFR match coverage.

Liverpool Record-Thrash Maribor 0-7

Sports - Football - Champions League - NKM 0:7 LFC

Liverpool record the biggest away win by an English team in the history of the European Cup after thrashing Slovenian side NK Maribor 0-7, the win taking them to the top of Group E after Sevilla lost 5-1 at Spartak Moscow on the same Tuesday night.

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This was the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides and finally the Reds made the flood of chances and stats count after their frustrating goalless draw against Manchester United on Saturday!

It didn't even take four minutes for Jürgen Klopp's men to find the breakthrough, man of the match Roberto Firmino tapping in from close range after a great breakthrough and pass by Mohamed Salah from the right.

Just under ten minutes later, Philippe Coutinho doubled the lead putting a lovely right-footed shot into the back of the net after a great counter, the home side unable to keep the ball.

Salah made it three sending a perfect left-footer past keeper Samir Handanovic's right seconds after being denied a penalty seeing the ball bounce off a Maribor defender's arm.

The great Egyptian was dancing through the opposition and was great to watch.

Firmino and Salah worked well together to make it four before the break, both thinking they scored, but it was the latter beating his team mate to have the final touch on Alberto Moreno's cross from the left to net the ball.

The referee whistled HT five seconds early, that said it all regarding the game. After the break, the Red dominance continued over the Violets, no matter what keeper Handanovic tried and kept.

Ten minutes after the break, Firmino headed in another LFC free kick seconds after Handanovic had made a great save jumping to his top-right corner to deny Coutinho.

Around an hour gone, both sides started to make their changes, and in the final minutes two of Liverpool's substitutes combined to make it six.

Daniel Sturridge picked out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the Reds bullied their way all over NKM and the former Arsenal man made no mistake of converting the chance to score his first goal for the Merseyside club.

And that wasn't it. Red youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold added his name to the long score list unable to miss the chance, totally unmarked, right-foot shot, 0-7, thank you very much.

The French commentator called it a massacre, Klopp "nice to write a piece of history", I feel it is just what the Red doctor ordered after all the chances and points missed and dropped over the last month-and-a-bit!

After only one win in the previous eight games, two defeats, five draws, scoring eight and conceding 14 in all competitions, the second consecutive clean sheet will be very much appreciated by and for the much criticised defence too.

And seeing Sevilla thrashed 5-1 at Spartak Moscow makes the Reds' draw in Russia look less disappointing and more credible.

Hopefully Liverpool can take this confidence boost to Wembley where they face Tottenham on Sunday in the Premier League.

Click here for my full ByTheMin live match coverage.

Liverpool Goals: Firmino 4' & 45', Coutinho 13', Salah 19' & 39', Oxlade-Chamberlain 86' & Alexander-Arnold 90'.

NK Maribor Team: 33 Handanovic, 28 Viler, 4 Suler, 26 Rajcevic, 22 Milec (booked 45'), 5 Vrohec (booked 80'), 8 Kabha, 39 Bohar (27 Mesanovic 81'), 7 Ahmedi (6 Pihler 58'), 97 Kramaric (10 Hotic 58', booked 89'), 9 Tavares.
Subs not used: 3 Billong, 12 Vrsic, 29 Palcic, 69 Obradovic.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius, 66 Alexander-Arnold, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno, 5 Wijnaldum (29 Solanke 76'), 23 Can, 7 Milner, 11 Salah (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 57'), 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 68'), 10 Coutinho.
Subs not used: 12 Gomez, 14 Henderson, 17 Klavan, 22 Mignolet.

HT stats: NKM 0-4 LFC
Possession: 35%-65%
Shots: 5-14
On target: 2-9
Corners: 0-3
Fouls: 3-6
Yellow cards: 1-0
Red cards: 0-0

FT stats: NKM 0-7 LFC
Possession: 30%-70%
Shots: 5-26
On target: 2-14
Corners: 0-9
Fouls: 10-11
Yellow cards: 3-0
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Viktor Kassai
Man of the match: Roberto Firmino
Ground: Ljudski Stadium
Attendance: 12,506

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, quotes, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report and beIN sports live match coverage.

MUFC Parked Bus Gets Point At Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 0:0 MUFC

Liverpool were once again unable to capitalize on their dominance, handing bitter rivals Manchester United a point at Anfield in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff.

Click here for my live match notes.

The goalless draw was not as boring as last season's, but José Mourinho will be just as satisfied with his bus parked at the back getting him another point, again.

The Reds were on top, from start to finish, chance after chance, the Red Devils just had star keeper David de Gea to thank for keeping a clean sheet.

On the other side, Simon Mignolet did not have much to do, but the couple of times the Belgian stopper was called upon, he kept solid.

Jürgen Klopp's side coped much better at the back in general, covering, marking, challenging, which was missing a lot in previous matches.

Romelu Lukaku, who scored in every league game before this meeting, created most and pulled one save out of Mignolet in the first half for the visitors.

But in the second half, there was no sign of him. The home side took over completely.

Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah worked most and hardest to push and produce something for the Reds, but the final edge, inch, push was missing.

So many misses, close calls, 10-0 shots in the second half, but none on target, just showed once again, stats don't count, goals do!

Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum missed sitters, even Joel Matip came close, keeping de Gea on his toes, literally (making a crucial save with the tip of his boot earlier in the first half).

All those misses and frustrations aside, Liverpool can take some encouragement out of this point though too.

Klopp has just lost once against Mourinho in seven meetings (W3 D3).

The Reds have kept their first clean sheet in the league since the 27th August, when they thrashed Arsenal 4-0.

The fact that Mourinho is happy with the point shows how times and forces have changed.

The draw keeps United unbeaten in second place on 20 points, two points and six goals behind high hitters City, whilst the Merseysiders are down to eighth, but level on 13 points with Burnley, Arsenal and Chelsea above them.

Next weekend LFC will be heading to Wembley to face 3rd placed Tottenham, who scraped and scratched out a 1-0 win against Bournemouth who are 19th.

Fingers crossed, the Reds can jump on Spurs' weaknesses at home and it will finally work and click for them. At some point, eventually, it just has to. It's their best chance to close the gap to the teams above, gain confidence and start a run.

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LFC team: 22 Mignolet; 12 Gomez, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno; 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 11 Salah (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 78'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 87'), 10 Coutinho (15 Sturridge 78'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 7 Milner, 17 Klavan, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

MUFC team: 1 De Gea; 25 Valencia (c), 12 Smalling (booked 74'), 4 Jones, 36 Darmian; 21 Herrera, 31 Matic; 18 Young (booked 87') (2 Lindelof 92'), 22 Mkhitaryan (14 Lingard 63'), 11 Martial (19 Rashford 66'); 9 Lukaku. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 8 Mata, 17 Blind, 20 Romero, 38 Tuanzebe.

HT Stats: LFC 0-0 MUFC
Possession: 63.4%-36.6%
Shots: 9-6
On target: 5-1
Corners: 1-3
Offsides: 2-1
Fouls: 2-6
Yellow cards: 0-0
Red cards: 0-0

FT Stats: LFC 0-0 MUFC
Possession: 62.2%-37.8%
Shots: 19-6
On target: 5-1
Corners: 7-3
Offsides: 3-1
Fouls: 7-13
Yellow cards: 0-2
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: David de Gea
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 52,912

Click here for me previous LFC match report.

All images, facts and stats were taken from the Sky Sports and BBC match reports and coverage.

FT Notes: LFC 0-0 MUFC

Sports - Football - Premier League - FT LFC 0:0 MUFC

LFC have made 24 starting XI changes in the opening 7 PL games, more than any other side.

The Reds have conceded 12 goals in the last 7 games, their joint worst.

Klopp just lost once against Mourinho in 7 meetings (W3 D3).

2' Conceded two early corners... Gulp...

5' First free kick goes to LFC, 21 Herrera v 10 Coutinho.

13' Another free kick for LFC, in their own half, Young fouled Moreno.

15' Wijnaldum first shot on target, soft, slow, curl, into de Gea's gloves. 70%-30% possession!

17' Foul by Young, another free kick for the home side, Mourinho fuming to the fourth official. Salah goes down too easily, looking for contact, nothing given.

20' Liverpool on top, pushing, pressing, Salah omnipresent in around the box, but missing that final touch/inch/boom.

22' First free kick for the Red Devils, Martial fouled. A couple of yards outside the left corner of the box. Cleared, LFC counter, offside?!

24' Lukaku cross from the right finds no one, out wide for a throw-in.

26' Young fuming, free kick not given, Liverpool offside again.

27' Emre Can wins a free kick in his own half.

30' Matic shot high, but not far. Closest United have come so far. 5-3 shots, 3-0 on target.

34' Coutinho shot deflects out for a corner. De Gea kicks one chance away with his left boot stretched out, Matip's shot, Salah puts rebound just wide.

36' Ref has a word with Henderson & Lukaku, prior not happy with latter's felling down of his team mate. Tempers rising.

38' Free kick given against Salah, looked like a nice dive to me... Cleared.

40' Young wins a corner on the right. Cleared. Free kick to LFC. Offside? Foul.

41' Salah shot inside the box straight to de Gea.

42' Firmino wins a free kick just inside his own half. Coutinho with some lovely footwork through into the box, shoots to de Gea, who collects comfortably.

43' MIGNOLET SAVE punches away Lukaku's left-footed attempt. Closest United have come.

44' Lovren down, LFC kick ball out... Replays show Lukaku is just bigger, stronger... But did his foot kick/lash out afterwards?!

1 minute added on. HT 0-0, Possession: 63.4%-36.6%, Shots: 9-6, On target: 5-1, Corners: 1-3, Offsides: 2-1, Fouls: 2-6, Yellow cards: 0-0, Red cards: 0-0.

Liverpool on top, chance after chance, but as always, stats don't count, goalless at the break, 0-0.

46' United kick off the second half, conceding a free kick.

47' Liverpool creating again, Can from the left, Firmino in the middle but de Gea collects again. Flag was up anyway for offside.

49' One half of Anfield cheered but the ball came off the outside of the net for a Liverpool corner. Coutinho with the chance.

50' Liverpool free kick on the left, conceded by Young.

53' Coutinho again with a great break and cross, but flag goes up again, way offside.

55' Wijnaldum right-footed shot high. Goal kick.

57' Can misses a sitter! How did he head that wide so close to the goal line?!

60' Strong run by Salah on the right, wins a corner.

61' Coutinho takes the corner, poor, clear. The Brazilian goes down too easily on the edge of the box, nothing given.

63' First change for United: 22 Mkhtaryan off, 14 Lingard on.

65' Another Liverpool corner cleared.

66' Second substitution for the visitors, Rashford replaces Martial.

67' 16-6 shots, 5-1 on target after Salah missed another chance, shooting off target from the edge of the box. Will the stats count for nothing once again come the FT whistle?! The Reds' dominance is just unreal!!! But it's the goal(s) that count(s)!!!

69' Herrera's gone down, Wijnaldum late on him, United free kick in their own half.

71' Coutinho cross from the left, great run by Salah, but can't quite get there to head it in. Inches away. So close. But yet so far.

73' United free kick, Firmino foul on Smalling, wasted wide and away, not much threat there.

74' YELLOW for Smalling, free kick to Liverpool near the halfway line.

76' Another chance wasted for the Reds, 8-0 attempts this half!!!

77' Free kick to United in the centre of the pitch. Sturridge is getting ready to come on.

78' Double LFC change, Salah replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sturridge on for Coutinho. Like-for-like the commentator says, I don't quite agree.

81' Liverpool pushing, subs making first impact. United clear the threat, win a throw-in in the opposition's half.

82' Emre Can wins a free kick against Darmian, replays show a dangerous high boot. Whistle goes a again, another free kick closer to the box...

83' Headed out for a goal kick. Disappointing.

84' Emre Can with an urgent, aggressive run from the left, shot doesn't quite create the threat he was looking for, de Gea collects.

87' YELLOW Young sees yellow for a dangerous challenge. Last change for Liverpool, Firmino is replaced by Solanke.

88' Jones down, United free kick, Liverpool threat stopped, Klopp not happy. De Gea takes it.

89' Mignolet catches, Liverpool with the ball again, get a throw-in.

90' The Ox gets a cross in, blocked out, Gomez takes the throw, ball defended out for a corner.

3 minutes added on, the Ox takes the corner, blocked by Lukaku, another corner comes from it eventually. The Ox again, headed high & away for a goal kick by Lovren. Another chance. Another miss. 2 minutes to go...

92' Last United substitution, Lindelof comes on for Young. Mourinho killing more time.

94' Corner for the Reds. Headed high once again. How many chances! How many misses! The FT whistle blows, 0-0! Possession: 62.2%-37.8%, Shots: 19-6, On target: 5-1, Corners: 7-3, Offsides: 3-1, Fouls: 7-13, Yellow cards: 0-2, Red cards: 0-0.

LFC team: 22 Mignolet; 12 Gomez, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno; 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 11 Salah (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 78'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 87'), 10 Coutinho (15 Sturridge 78'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 7 Milner, 17 Klavan, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

MUFC team: 1 De Gea; 25 Valencia (c), 12 Smalling (booked 74'), 4 Jones, 36 Darmian; 21 Herrera, 31 Matic; 18 Young (booked 87') (2 Lindelof 92'), 22 Mkhitaryan (14 Lingard 63'), 11 Martial (19 Rashford 66'); 9 Lukaku. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 8 Mata, 17 Blind, 20 Romero, 38 Tuanzebe.

All facts and stats were taken from the Sky Sports website and match coverage.