Premier League Notes - Week 9

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 9

The ninth week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

18 goals - most by Villa, City, Everton and Leicester = 2 each

240 shots - most by Aston Villa = 24

78 on target - most by Everton and Man City = 10 each 

111 corners - most by Arsenal = 12

211 fouls - most by Brighton and Saints = 17 each

40 bookings - most by Spurs, Blades and Gunners = 4 each

1 red card - Mooy for Brighton 

1 penalty - 1 scored (Jiménez for Wolves)

#EVEWHU

The Toffees’ much-needed win after four consecutive league defeats lifted some pressure off under-fire manager Marco Silva. And it would have been a much worse thrashing than 2-0 if it weren’t for Spanish stopper Roberto and some top saves and a bit of help from the woodwork. Their third victory of the season lifted the Portuguese’s side out of the relegation zone and up to 15th. The disappointing Hammers suffered their first defeat on the road of the season, seeing them slip down three places to 11th.

#AVLBHA

The Villans ended a run of 50 winless Premier League games after trailing, Matt Targett with the last-minute winner in injury time (90+4’) making it 2:1 against ten-man Seagulls. Aaron Mooy’s sending off after two daft yellow cards in the space of five minutes turned the game around (35’), the visitors were ahead and dominant at that stage. The hosts didn’t have it easy and had a goal harshly disallowed thanks to VAR as well, but never gave up, kept going and got there and punished their opponents for their late lapse. The game saw 44 shots, the most in the PL since Manchester United v Burnley in October 2016!

#BOUNOR

A hard-earned and deserved clean sheet and away point for the hard-working Canaries despite injuries at the back, both a first for them on the road this season, keeping them 19th, one point from safety. A disappointment and two dropped points for the misfiring Cherries, but they stay in the top half despite the lackluster performance. 

#CHENEW

The Magpies frustrated the hell out of the Blues, until former Sunderland loanee Marcos Alonso broke the deadlock (73’) and bagged the three points and fifth successive win in all competitions to Frank Lampard’s relief, taking his side into the top four, whilst Steve Bruce’s men fall back into the relegation zone.

#LEIBUR

Another harsh and controversial VAR moment as the Clarets’ late leveller was disallowed as Chris Wood was deemed to have tripped Jonny Evans beforehand (82’). The Foxes got their comeback win after Jamie Vardy (45’) and Youri Tielemans (74’) had overturned Wood’s opener (26’), the three points taking them up to third and marking the anniversary of former owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s death at the King Power Stadium.

#TOTWAT

More VAR farce, as Dele Alli’s late leveller (86’), which came off his shoulder before he took the shot, was awarded, although the big screen showed “no goal”. After all that confusion, the goal stood for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, the game ended a goal and point each. The home side avoided their fifth defeat in six games, whilst the bottom side are harshly left waiting for their first league win of the season. 

#WOLSOU

Raúl Jiménez had the ball in the net THREE TIMES for the dominant visitors, but only the spot kick counted (61’ pen), cancelling out Danny Ings’ opener (53’), after the other two were disallowed for handball and offside before the break. It’s the Saints’ first league point in five weeks, when they drew against the Red Devils (week 4), leaving them hovering above the relegation zone in 17th, level on points with Newcastle in 18th, just two goals better off.  

#CRYMCI

The first half an hour was competitive, and after City’s surprise results of last week (week 8) and last season (week 18), an interesting encounter was expected. But two goals in 93 seconds changed that very quickly. Gabriel Jesus (39’) and David Silva (41’) put the Citizens in control at Selhurst Park. It ended up a comfortable win for Pep Guardiola’s side, taking them back up to second, five points behind league leaders Liverpool before their match against arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

#MUNLIV

VAR was in the limelight again after Marcus Rashford’s opener stood (36’) despite replays showing Victor Lindelöf’s foul on Divock Origi in the buildup. But Sadio Mané’s equaliser was disallowed for handball (44’) although not much contact showed on the screen. Sub Adam Lallana saved a point and the unbeaten run for the Reds with his first league goal in over two years (85’). Jürgen Klopp’s men only showed up and really pushed for the last 20 minutes, not enough to bag all points at Old Trafford, giving the Red Devils way too much space. Frustrating, but hey, it could be worse, the Reds are still top, six points clear of the Citizens, whilst Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men drop down to 14th, only two points away from the relegation zone, 15 points behind their arch rivals. Five of the past seven Premier League meetings between the two have ended level (one win each) - just four of the previous 36 between the sides had been drawn. How times have changed...

#SHUARS

It was a miserable Monday night for the Gunners. The Blades showed what they are made of, taking the lead thanks to Lys Mousset (30’) and closing the game and denying the visitors a way back in, to earn and fully deserve a superb three points. The result takes Chris Wilder’s side up to ninth, whilst Unai Emery’s men drop out of the top four into fifth, two points behind Chelsea. 

My Predictions - Actual Results

Everton 2:2 West Ham - 2:0

Aston Villa 2:0 Brighton - 2:1

Bournemouth 3:0 Norwich - 0:0

Chelsea 3:1 Newcastle - 1:0

Leicester 2:1 Burnley - 2:1

Tottenham 4:0 Watford - 1:1

Wolves 2:1 Southampton - 1:1

Crystal Palace 2:1 Man City - 0:2

Man United 1:3 Liverpool - 1:1

Sheff United 1:2 Arsenal - 1:0

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports and RMC Sport coverage. 

Pre-Season: Reds Run Over Rovers 0-2

Sports - Football - Pre-Season - BRFC 0-2 LFC

Liverpool ended comfortable 2-0 winners against Blackburn Rovers on Thursday night at Ewood Park thanks to second-half goals from Lazar Markovic and Daniel Sturridge.

As in the other three pre-season friendlies, Jürgen Klopp fielded a different team each half, giving youngsters some play time as well as coupling experienced players with newbies, as the World Cup stars are not joining the side in training till end of the week.

And the match kicked off in glorious sunshine, Dominic Solanke being awarded a penalty after just five minutes when challenged by keeper David Raya Martin trying to reach Ben Woodburn’s pass.

But the Rovers keeper made up for his error pushing away James Milner’s spot kick and keeping the scoreline at 0-0.

The Reds did have the ball in the net with just under half an hour gone, Divock Origi tapping in Alberto Moreno’s cross after Adam Lallana’s blocked shot, but the flag was up.

Loris Karius denied the newly promoted Championship side by blocking a nice drill by Dominic Samuel, a little confidence booster after the German keeper’s Champions League nightmare.

Lallana hit the woodwork before seeing Charlie Mulgrew clear his goal-bound shot off the line seconds later, two chances, zero goals, the two teams went into the break deadlocked, 0-0.

Ten changes were made after the interval for the Premier League team - keeper Karius the only survivor, the Reds continued dominating play and chances.

The game was refreshed, boosted, especially long awaited Naby Keita impressing with his play and interplay for Klopp’s men, setting up Sturridge, creating chance after chance.

The latter collected the ball and spotted Markovic’s fine run, who netted the number 15's accurate pass with a fine touch and effort to make it 0-1 to the visitors after 64 minutes, not long after the home side had made nine changes.

Red academy midfielder Rafael Camacho’s chance beat sub keeper Jayson Leutwiler but was cleared off the line by Paul Downing minutes later.

With just over quarter of an hour to go, Keita’s force was felt again and his run and pass was finished off by Sturridge this time, making up for earlier misses and doubling the Reds’ lead.

Leutwiler denied Camacho before the full-time whistle, ending a nice dominant run out for the Reds before they head off on to their US Tour where they will face Klopp's former side Dortmund (22/07), champions Manchester City (26/07) and bitter rivals Manchester United (28/07).

And it was all topped up not long after the match with the official announcement of Alisson Becker having completed his medical and joining from AS Roma to replace under-fire Karius and out-of-favour Simon Mignolet after a long media-frenzy and speculation, breaking the transfer world record for a keeper.

All in all the Reds can be happy with their progress, in the pre-season matches, the transfer market, general dealings and wheelings, and team spirit, general optimism felt all round, despite the bad news of the week of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain confirmed to be missing most of the season through injury.

Liverpool Goals: Markovic 63’ & Sturridge 73’.

Match Stats: BRFC 0-2 LFC

Possession: 30.3%-69.7%

Shots: 4-16

On target: 2-6

Corners: 1-3

Offsides: 2-1

Fouls: 13-7

Blackburn Team: 1 Raya; 3 Williams, 14 Mulgrew* (c) (45’), 26 Lenihan, 2 Nyambe; 8 Rothwell, 31 Bennett, 6 Smallwood, 29 Evans* (45’), 9 Samuel; 23 Dack. 4-5-1

2nd half substitutes 60’: 25 Downing, 18 Davenport, 11 Whittingham, 13 Leutwiler, 17 Bell* (45’), 28 Tomlinson, 32 Conway, 34 Wharton, 27 Travis* (45’), 37 Fisher, 24 Nuttall.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius* (59’); 18 Moreno, 17 Klavan, 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 20 Lallana, 7 Milner (c), 58 Woodburn; 29 Solanke, 27 Origi, 54 Ojo. 4-3-3

2nd half substitutes 45’: 3 Fabinho, 4 Van Dijk, 8 Keita, 12 Gomez, 15 Sturridge, 26 Robertson, 47 Phillips, 48 Jones, 50 Markovic, 64 Camacho, 62 Kelleher* (59’).

Referee: Jonathan Moss

Ground: Ewood Park

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the LFCTV matchday coverage and Sky Sports App and website.

Salah Seals Reds Comeback at Selhurst Park

Sports - Football - Premier League - CPFC 1:2 LFC

Liverpool bagged all three points against Crystal Palace thanks to top scorer Mohamed Salah's late winner after a less convincing performance by the Reds in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Selhurst Park.

Click here for my ByTheMinute match coverage.

It was Jürgen Klopp's 100th Premier League match in charge, his record being W54 D28 L18 and seeing 324 goals with this result.

Only Manuel Pellegrini saw more goals in his first 100 PL games with Manchester City (329).

With this win, the Reds completed the double over the London side for the first time since 1997-98.

Palace skipper Luka Milivojevic put the home side ahead from the spot after 12:26 minutes, following Loris Karius barging into Wilfried Zaha.

It wasn't the start the visitors wanted and the hosts kept frustrating the hell out of the Reds.

Sadio Mané was booked for his overdramatised diving antiques just over halfway through the first half.

Referee Neil Swarbrick took his time, replays showing James McArthur had made no contact, instead of making something of the chance, with the ball in the box, the Senegalese decided to go down.

The Eagles fans booed him on after that, he headed the ball in minutes later, to be flagged offside.

Just before the break, Mané's downward header was kept out well by Wayne Hennessey.

The interval saw no changes, former Reds boss Roy Hodgson surely the happier with his side's stubborn display against the shaky visitors.

But it didn't last long, four minutes after the restart Mané levelled from close range fed by James Milner from the left.

Former Liverpool forward Christian Benteke missed a couple of sitters wide, making life too easy for Karius after the keeper's shaky start.

Mané was lucky to escape a second caution and sending off with just under half an hour to go when he was involved in a bit of a tangle and rumble and picked up the ball after falling down once again.

A free kick was given against the number 19, but nothing further, Palace were not happy, Klopp took him off seconds later.

Karius made a cracking save denying Patrick van Aanholt, keeping out a nice left footed free kick into the top left corner, it stayed 1-1.

Sub Adam Lallana didn't last long, being replaced by Dejan Lovren just a few minutes after coming on for Georginio Wijnaldum.

Palace kept pushing but were unable to release a shot nor get anything on target.

Momo made it 1-2 with his 29th league goal of the season in the 84th minute.

The PL top scorer collected and took the shot patiently inside the box, netting from close range into the bottom left corner, assisted nicely by man of the match Andy Robertson from the left.

The Egyptian is now just three goals short of breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's 2007-08 Premier League scoring record.

With this defeat, Palace have lost each of their last four home games against Liverpool in all competitions and drop down to 17th just two points above the drop zone.

Three points keeps LFC comfy in third, five points ahead of Tottenham in fourth and only two points behind United in second, but both have games in hand.

And this match was definitely not a confidence gainer for the Reds ahead of their Champions League quarter final first leg clash against Manchester City on Wednesday.

No matter what Klopp tries to blame it on, criticising the ref or whatever, the Reds were just not good enough most of the match and have to do much better to have a hint of a chance to progress against the league leaders.

Palace Goal: Milivojevic pen 13'.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 49' & Salah 84'.

HT Stats: PAL 1-0 LIV
Possession: 24%-76%
Shots: 2-12
On target: 2-4
Corners: 1-4
Fouls: 4-5
Yellow cards: 2-2

FT Stats: PAL 1-2 LIV
Possession: 30%-70%
Shots: 6-16
On target: 3-6
Corners: 4-6
Fouls: 6-8
Yellow cards: 2-2

CPFC Team: 13 Hennessey; 3 van Aanholt, 12 Sakho, 34 Kelly, 29 Wan-Bissaka (24 Fosu-Mensah 88'); 7 Cabaye (8 Loftus-Cheek 73'), 4 Milivoyevic (c), 18 McArthur (booked 45'); 11 Zaha, 17 Benteke (booked 38'), 10 Townsend. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 14 Lee Chung-yong, 16 Cavilieri, 23 Souaré, 24 Delaney, 44 Riedewald.

LFC Team: 1 Karius (booked 12'); 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 5 Wijnaldum (20 Lallana 65' (6 Lovren 70')), 14 Henderson (c), 7 Milner; 19 Mané (booked 24') (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 64'), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 2 Clyne, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 28 Ings.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Man of the match: Andy Robertson
Ground: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 25,807

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

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

LFC Through To CL Quarter Finals

Sports - Football - Champions League - LIV 0:0 POR (5-0)

Liverpool progressed to the Champions League quarter finals for the first time since 2009 after a comfortable goalless draw in the second leg of the last 16 on Tuesday night at Anfield beating Porto 5-0 on aggregate.

Click here for my ByTheMin match coverage.

Five changes were made by the home side after their league win against Newcastle on Saturday, Adam Lallana featuring in Europe for the first time since the 2016 Europa League final.

The Portuguese league leaders had made ten changes after they beat Sporting 2-1 in the league on Friday, Iker Casillas starting for the visitors nine years after the Spaniard faced hell when he came to Merseyside with Real Madrid.

The keeper made his 167th appearance in the Champions League - 16 more than any other player in the history of the European Cup (Xavi next on 151).

The Reds were in control throughout, the first half registering no shots on target by either side, showing what a training game it was.

It was only the second time this season Liverpool failed to have a single shot on target in the first half of a game - last against Chelsea in the Premier League on 25 November (FT 1-1).

Porto captain Felipe Augusto de Almeida Monteiro intervened at crucial times, stopping Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino in their track when it mattered most.

The Senegalese hit the woodwork once for the Reds with just over half an hour gone, otherwise neither Casillas nor Loris Karius had anything to worry about in the first half.

The first shot on target came shortly after the break, Abdul Majeed Waris with a nice right-footed shot from outside the box, well saved by Karius, first stop the German keeper had to make.

Sub Danny Ings and James Milner had headers on target later on, but nothing to make Casillas sweat, same after star man Mohamed Salah came off the bench to get a run out for the last quarter of an hour.

The first Liverpool corner came in the 88th minute after Casillas denied Ings, stopping another header from going in.

It stayed goalless, Casillas did well not to worsen the aggregate score, the blue and white Dragons could leave Anfield with their heads held high, not everyone can say they kept a clean sheet here!

They are actually the first side to achieve that in the competition this season.

No team have ever progressed to the next round following a 5-0 home defeat in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie.

Liverpool remain unbeaten against Porto, having played them six times in all competitions (W3 D3).

Porto have never won a Champions League away game against an English side, drawing three and losing 10 of their 13 trips.

The biggest aggregate win in the competition is still Bayern Munich's 12-1 against Sporting Lisbon in 2008/09.

Next on the fixture list for Jürgen Klopp's men is just a little league trip to Old Trafford on Saturday...

HT Stats: LIV 0-0 POR (5-0 on aggragate)
Possession: 66%-34%
Shots: 3-1
On target: 0-0
Corners: 0-0
Fouls: 4-10
Yellow Cards: 0-1

FT Stats: LIV 0-0 POR (5-0 on aggregate)
Possession: 65%-35%
Shots: 12-10
On target: 5-1
Corners: 1-3
Fouls: 11-12
Yellow cards: 1-2

LFC Team: 1 Karius, 12 Gomez, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 18 Moreno, 14 Henderson (c) (booked 59'), 7 Milner, 23 Can (17 Klavan 80'), 20 Lallana, 19 Mané (11 Salah 74'), 9 Firmino (28 Ings 62'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 4 Van Dijk, 66 Alexander-Arnold, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Porto Team: 1 Casillas, 2 Pereira, 28 Felipe de Almeida Monteiro (c), 23 Reyes, 30 Dalot Teixeira (booked 90'+2), 10 Óliver Torres, 20 André (booked 34') (27 Oliveira 62'), 87 Bruno Costa, 17 Corona, 18 Waris (21 Ricardo 68'), 9 Aboubakar (14 Paciência 80'). 4-4-2
Subs not used: 12 Sá, 55 Machado Mata, 25 Monteiro, 8 Brahimi.

Referee: Feliz Zwayer
Man of the match: James Milner
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 48,768

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the Sky Sports and BBC match reports, Twitter and beIN sports 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.

125th Anniversary: HBSC 0-3 LFC

Sports - Football - Pre-Season - HBSC 0:3 LFC 

Dominic Solanke, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah made the 125th anniversary match a comfortable 3-0 win for Liverpool against Hertha at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

Philippe Coutinho captained the Reds in the German capital, while Emre Can and Sadio Mané made their first appearances of the summer.

'You'll Never Walk Alone' echoed around the Olympiastadion before kick-off, the one noticeably very red corner being noticeably very loud.

Jürgen Klopp's men took the lead in the 15th minute when Adam Lallana curled a ball into the box that Solanke gratefully nodded over keeper Rune Jarstein.

The Reds' lead was doubled just over 20 minutes later when Solanke pinched the ball high up the pitch and fed Mané in the box, who passed it on to the late-arriving Wijnaldum.

The Dutchman made no mistake with a low finish into the corner.

But the third goal topped them all with just over an hour gone.

Barca target Coutinho dinked a perfectly weighted pass up and over for new man Salah to lift the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Pál Dárdai's side were down and out.

'We Are Liverpool' echoed around the Reds supporters who certainly enjoyed the trip to Berlin.

It was an awesome atmosphere, another good run-out for the Reds and another pre-season victory.

Vielen Dank und auf Wiedersehen! ⚽👌😘👍⚽

The next pre-season warm-up comes thick and fast: Audi Cup clash against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

Liverpool goals: Solanke 15', Wijnaldum 38' & Salah 61'.

Hertha XI: 22 Rune Jarstein, 28 Fabian Lustenberger*, 21 Marvin Plattenhardt*, 4 Karim Rekik, 23 Mitchell Weiser*, 10 Ondrej Duda*, 3 Per Skjelbred*, 11 Mathew Leckie*, 6 Vladimir Darida*, 19 Vedad Ibisevic*, 8 Salomon Kalou*.

Subs: 17 Maximilian Mittelstädt*, 26 Arne Maier*, 29 Florian Baak*, 12 Jonathan Klinsmann*, 30 Julius Kade*, 32 Pál Dárdai*, 2 Peter Pekarík (booked)*, 14 Valentin Stocker*, 7 Alexander Esswein*, 24 Genki Haraguchi*.

Coach: Pál Dárdai

Reds XI: 22 Mignolet, 12 Gomez, 32 Matip*, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno (booked)*, 23 Can*, 5 Wijnaldum*, 20 Lallana*, 19 Mané*, 10 Coutinho*, 29 Solanke*.

Subs: 73 Grabara, 26 Robertson*, 6 Lovren, 38 Flanagan*, 53 Ejaria*, 14 Henderson*, 9 Firmino*, 27 Origi, 15 Sturridge*, 11 Salah*, 40 Kent*.

Coach: Jürgen Klopp

*all subbed in the second half

Match stats: HBSC 0-3 LFC
Possession: 49.1%-50.9
Shots: 8-13
On target: 3-6
Blocked: 3-1
Corners: 4-3
Offside: 0-1
Saves: 3-3
Fouls: 13-13
Yellow cards: 1-1
Red cards: 0-0

Man of the match: Dominic Solanke
Ground: Olympiastadion
Attendance: 54,279

Click here to read my previous LFC match report.

Pictures, facts and stats taken from own attendance and the LFC match blog.

A Point & Goal Each In Etihad Thriller

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

Manchester City and Liverpool fought out a pulsating draw at the Etihad, sharing a goal and point each in the race to stay in the top four for Champions League qualification.

It could have been 5-5 after end-to-end stuff, with plenty of talking points, errors, chances, misses, sitters, controversies, everything given by both sides and referee Michael Oliver not making many friends.

Click here to read my full ByTheMin live match coverage.

James Milner had given the visitors the lead from the spot not long after the interval after Roberto Firmino was brought down in the box by Gael Clichy with a high boot.

It was the Reds captain's 450th career league appearance, netting his seventh penalty in the Premier League this season, only Steven Gerrard has scored more for Liverpool in a Premier League season (= 10 in 2013/14).

But non-other than Sergio Agüero levelled the score, making no mistake of beating wrong-sided defender Ragnar Klavan to Kevin De Bruyne's nice cross in from the right, smashing in the equaliser with just over 20 minutes to go.

The Argentine striker has scored in each and every of his five Premier League home games for City against Liverpool.

The game finished just as frantic as it started, a mad first half full of chances missed.

Both keepers were kept busy and made some strong saves, Simon Mignolet denying Leroy Sane, David Silva and Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho missing golden chances, whilst Willy Caballero kept out a surprisingly attacking Joel Matip, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana at the other end.

Somehow it stayed goalless at the break, it was definitely the keepers' half.

Both De Bruyne and Agüero put chances wide late on, whilst Lallana missed the biggest sitter right in front of goal with just ten minutes to go.

But it was not to be for either side, the draw keeping City in third and Liverpool in fourth, giving Spurs some breathing apace in second, whilst United climb to fifth. Chelsea stay pretty comfy at the top.

The game was not perfect but great entertainment with a lot of pace, power, energy and chances. And it is a fair result after all the ifs and buts.

Liverpool have now recorded more points in ten games against the top six (20) than in ten games against the bottom six (19).

It was just as entertaining to watch both coaches in their technical areas, loud, active, very involved to say the least.

Both managers showed contrasting post-match reactions though, Reds boss Jürgen Klopp more disappointed with the result whilst Sky Blues' Pep Guardiola called it "one of the happiest days of his career".

The German won the previous five meetings between the two, including a penalty shootout, more than any other manager against the Spaniard, so, maybe that explains the different takes on the match.

Neither will like the international break disrupting their plans, Liverpool hosting Everton next whilst City will travel to Arsenal on April the 1st.

Man City Goal: Agüero 69'.

Liverpool Goal: Milner pen 51'.

Man City Team: 13 Caballero; 25 Fernandinho, 24 Stones, 30 Otamendi, 22 Clichy (booked 50'), 42 Yaya Toure (booked 22') (3 Sagna 65'), 19 Sane (6 Fernando 83'), 17 De Bruyne, 21 Silva (booked 52'), 7 Sterling, 10 Agüero. 4-1-4-1
Subs not used: 1 Bravo, 9 Nolito, 11 Kolarov, 72 Iheanacho, 75 A. Garcia.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet, 2 Clyne, 32 Matip (booked 43'), 17 Klavan, 7 Milner, 23 Can, 5 Wijnaldum, 20 Lallana, 19 Mané (booked 88'), 10 Coutinho (27 Origi 73'), 11 Firmino (booked 16') (21 Lucas 89').
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 18 Moreno, 66 Alexander-Arnold, 58 Woodburn, 6 Lovren.

HT & FT Match Stats: MCFC-LFC
Score: 0-0 & 1-1
Possession: 55%-45% & 60%-40%
Shots: 4-8 & 13-13
On target: 1-2 & 3-4
Corners: 5-5 & 9-8
Fouls: 8-3 & 14-7
Bookings: 1-2 & 3-3

Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the match: David Silva
Ground: Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 54,449

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

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

Mané Double Downs Spurs

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 2:0 THFC

Man of the match Sadio Mané's double helped Liverpool to their much missed winning selves to beat Tottenham 2-0 at Anfield.

The Senegal forward's return from the Africa Cup of Nations served the Reds their first win of the year, injecting much missed energy, speed and determination.

Mauricio Pochettino's men don't like the top six as form shows (recording just 1 win in the last 17 games), whilst Jürgen Klopp can be a very relieved man.

Most of the action happened in the first half, the Reds dominating the show, making Spurs look clumsy and all over the place.

Mané fired the home side ahead after 16 minutes, beating left-back Ben Davies to Georginio Wijnaldum's pass.

138 seconds later, the £34m former Saints man doubled the lead from close range after a fine double save by Hugo Lloris denying Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino.

If it weren't for the French stopper, the score could have been much worse at the interval, Liverpool recording 13 attempts, 8 on target, keeping him very busy.

At the other end, Simon Mignolet didn't have much to do, but was alert enough to deny Son Heung-min one-on-one shortly after Mané's double.

The second half was less eventful, the Reds happy and comfortable with the lead, Spurs not threatening nor creating much.

The win takes Liverpool back up to fourth, whilst second-placed Tottenham see the gap to the top widen to nine points, with both Chelsea and Man City still to play on Sunday and Monday respectively.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 16' & 18'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 2 Clyne, 33 Matip (booked 56'), 21 Lucas (17 Klavan 82'), 7 Milner (booked 68'); 20 Lallana, 14 Henderson (c) (booked 53'), 5 Wijnaldum; 19 Mané (66 Alex-Arnold 90'+2'), 11 Firmino, 10 Coutinho (23 Can 77'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 15 Sturridge,  18 Moreno,  27 Origi.

Tottenham Team: 1 Lloris (c); 2 Walker, 4 Alderweireld (booked 83'), 15 Dier (booked 78'), 33 Davies; 19 Dembele (17 Sissoko 77'), 12 Wanyama; 23 Eriksen (29 Winks 68' (booked 71')), 20 Alli, 7 Son (booked 28') (9 Janssen 82'); 10 Kane (booked 67'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 13 Vorm, 14 Nkoudou, 16 Trippier,  27 Wimmer.

HT & FT stats: LFC-THFC
Possession: 54%-46% & 51%-49%
Attempts: 13-5 & 17-7
On target: 8-2 & 9-2
Offsides: 0-0 & 2-1
Corners: 8-2 & 10-3
Fouls: 5-5 & 14-14
Yellow cards: 0-1 & 3-5
Red cards: 0-0 & 0-0

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Man of the match: Sadio Mané
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,159

Pictures and stats taken from the BBC match report and Sky Sports match report and live coverage.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.