Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app.
I feel like I have written a lot of this before.
Once again, we've got full-back assists, two from Alexander-Arnold to go level with Andy Robertson: 11 in the Premier League, 13 in all competitions.
2 - Liverpool are the first team in Premier League history to have at least two defenders provide 10+ assists each in a single campaign (Trent Alexander-Arnold 11 & Andy Robertson 11). Outlets. #NEWLIV pic.twitter.com/2NaayZJAen
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 4, 2019
Incidentally, ten of Alexander-Arnold's 13 assists have come in the last 14 matches, since his three against Watford at the end of February.
Once again, we've got goals from crosses: both assists from Alexander-Arnold as well as Shaqiri's free kick delivery for Origi's late winner.
We've got set play goals: Van Dijk's opener from a corner, the aforementioned winner from a free kick. Even Liverpool's second could have been classified as one, with just two passes following a throw-in. Those were Liverpool's 22nd and 23rd set play goals of the season;
And we've got late goals. Liverpool winning a match in the last 15 minutes. As against PSG, Everton, United, Palace, Fulham, Tottenham, and Southampton. Four of those have come in the last month and a half.
Once again, we've got Liverpool doing a lot of what Liverpool intended to do, and it's a reasonable amount of good, and it's enough to win. It's Liverpool's eighth league win in a row, to return to the top of the league at least until City host Leicester in a few hours.
But. There was a fair amount of NOT GOOD as well. Almost too much. Thankfully, only almost.
Liverpool conceded twice in a league match, for just the fourth time this season. 1-2 City. 4-3 Palace, 4-2 Burnley, and now this. Which, hey, just four times! But also, it's Newcastle, and three of the four have happened in the second half of the season, with two in the last two months. Against Burnley (15th place) and Newcastle (14th). Not ideal.
Liverpool were out-shot for first time in the league since the 1-1 West Ham draw in early February. This was just the fourth time in 37 league matches that's happened this season, along with this, the 1-2 loss at City, and the 1-0 win over Huddersfield (yeah, your guess is as good as mine).
Divock Origi's goal – in the 86th minute – was Liverpool's only shot after Rondon's equalizer. 40 minutes of action. A tie game, a game you need to win. One shot, from a set play. That's not usually a recipe for winning a match you've given up two equalizers in.
And said winner came from a free kick that Liverpool were fortunate to win, with Fabinho falling under little to no contact, even if he was arguably fouled a few steps before hurling himself to the carpet. And Origi's header went in off Lascelles, on-target but unlikely to beat Dubravaka without the redirection.
That free kick and winner weren't the only times that Liverpool were fortunate. Liverpool were incredibly lucky that Atsu scored in the 20th minute, preventing Alexander-Arnold's dismissal when he handled the earlier shot on the goal line. And that Perez hit the woodwork less than two minutes before Salah scored.
It wasn't the first time Liverpool have been lucky this season. It wasn't the first time that Liverpool have won ugly.
I do not care. By any means necessary.
Liverpool had not won a Premier League away game following a European away game under Jürgen Klopp since this most recent run.
Two losses – bad losses – following Europa League away matches in 2015-16, a late collapse and a thorough B-Team stomping. A draw and two losses following Champions League away matches last season. Three consecutive away league wins following three Champions League away matches this season, over these last two months of Liverpool madness.
It is May 6. There is one game left in Liverpool's league campaign, having already achieved the club's record points total. Liverpool were without Firmino, without Keïta, Salah going off through concussion. Liverpool's starting XI featured seven players who've already got more than 3000 minutes under their belts this season, with Henderson and Fabinho not far behind. I do not care that Liverpool did not dominate. I do not care that Liverpool needed to win ugly. All that matters is that Liverpool won. Again.
Back over to you, City.
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