Visualized: Liverpool 4-1 Porto

Previous Match Infographics: Chelsea (h), Porto (h), Southampton (a), Tottenham (h), Fulham (a), Bayern Munich (a), Burnley (h), Everton (a), Watford (h), Manchester United (a), Bayern Munich (h), Bournemouth (h) West Ham (a), Leicester (h), Crystal Palace (h), Brighton (a), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Newcastle (h), Wolves (a), Manchester Utd (h), Napoli (h), Bournemouth (a), Burnley, Everton (h), Paris St-Germain (a), Watford (a), Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Cardiff (h), Red Star Belgrade (h), Huddersfield (a), Manchester City (h), Napoli (a), Chelsea (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Brighton (h), Crystal Palace (a), West Ham (h)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 



Well, we certainly didn't expect that to end 4-1 after the first half.

Porto announced their intention within 40 seconds, Corona firing off a first effort after cutting from the right, curling a wide box shot over. They'd take 14 shots in the opening half hour, which ties the record for the most shots that Liverpool have allowed in a match this season. Which happened at Napoli back in early October, arguably Liverpool's worst performance of the season.

14 shots is a lot of shots. All Porto needed was one goal to turn this match, and it seemed a matter of time before coming.

Except.

Not much to like about that performance but the scoreline is excellent.
Porto 15 shots to 4 and 57% possession but the XG map is important pic.twitter.com/r4QnBucLZA

— Dan Kennett (@DanKennett) April 17, 2019

There are a lot of shots there. There are also a lot of shots that probably aren't going in there. Especially from Moussa Marega, who took ten shots over two legs, putting six on target, but with an xG of just 0.09 per shot. And that's including a clear-cut chance from the first leg, saved by Alisson after half an hour. He'd scored six in seven Champions League games prior to this, in every match except the first group tie at Schalke.

It was very much a "bend but don't break" display, something that Liverpool have been reasonably competent at, if more so earlier in the season.

And that Expected Goals map also has one big red dot at the other end of the pitch. Because, once again, Sadio Mané's opening the scoring.

Make that 8 out of Liverpool’s last 10 opening goals for Mané! https://t.co/b12tS3vMtJ

— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) April 17, 2019

First goalscorer in 3 of Liverpool’s past 4 away games:
At Bayern: Mane 26th min
At Fulham: Mane 26th min
At Porto: Mane 26th min

— Bill Edgar (@BillEdgarTimes) April 17, 2019

Also, thank you VAR. I feel bad for folks inside the stadium who've gotta unknowingly sit through decisions but otherwise, it's great and usually works. And it's probably yet another example of just a little swing of luck going Liverpool's way.

But more importantly. We learned something we already knew. Porto learned something Porto already knew.

This side wants to counter-attack. This side doesn't get many opportunities to counter attack. This side can be very good on the counter-attack.

The first goal's against the run of play, but it's not truly a counter, let alone a fast break. It's from one end of the pitch to other, starting from van Dijk's wonderful tackle, but Porto have chances to get back and chances to clear: Otavio's header on Wijnaldum's cross-field directly to Robertson rather than away, two Salah shots blocked, albeit by Liverpool's players, with Porto players in position in their own box.

They all count the same, though.

And Liverpool had a fair few true counter-attacks in the second half. Firmino replaced Origi and Liverpool did the "we're up away from home" thing. Lots of Porto possession, few Porto shots. There were 13 Porto shots in the 25 minutes before Liverpool's opener. There were just four afterwards.

Meanwhile, Liverpool scored from two fast breaks and a set play. And they should have had another on the break, Mané rounding Casillas but firing over off-balance in the 72nd minute. Three second half goals to pull away from an opponent trying like hell to get themselves back in the game. Up and down the pitch. Away from home in the Champions League.

It's "Old Liverpool" back again. Because, once again, Liverpool have more chances to be old Liverpool against European opponents rather than domestic. As Bayern Munich learned in the previous leg.

So, as happened last season, we got a five-goal aggregate win over the Portuguese champions, featuring a romp on their own ground. We get Mané, Salah, and Firmino all scoring, for only the fourth time this season after doing it 11 last season.

We get more Liverpool clear-cut chances than shots from outside the box. They're not super prolific in shots, but the shots are good shots, high value shots, because they're coming in transition, from pressing and from counters.

We get Jordan Henderson, somehow still on the most productive streak of his life, tallying yet another assist off the bench – his third in four games to go along with the goal scored at Southampton – from yet another cross. He already registered four key passes, by far the most from a Liverpool player, in only 20 minutes of action.

We get van Dijk mopping up at the back; I'm still in awe of the tackle on Marega prior to starting the move for Liverpool's opener, but it's not as if that's the only moment. We get seven saves from Alisson, none especially difficult but still the most in a single match this season.

Despite a few tetchy moments – encouragingly few – in the end, we get this.

xG map for Porto - Liverpool.

what kind of person watched this pic.twitter.com/VbWsnIT4V0

— Caley Graphics (@Caley_graphics) April 17, 2019

And this.

Two-legged xG map for Liverpool - Porto

the easy draw is a nice thing to get pic.twitter.com/XNrt7QKe4T

— Caley Graphics (@Caley_graphics) April 17, 2019

"Easy draw" be damned. Once again, we get Liverpool doing what they need to do – with an added dash of élan thanks to style of play and game state – for the eighth consecutive win now that we're reached the absolute meat of the season. And we get Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final in consecutive seasons, for the first time since 1983-84 and 1984-85.

Visualized: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

Previous Match Infographics: Porto (h), Southampton (a), Tottenham (h), Fulham (a), Bayern Munich (a), Burnley (h), Everton (a), Watford (h), Manchester United (a), Bayern Munich (h), Bournemouth (h) West Ham (a), Leicester (h), Crystal Palace (h), Brighton (a), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Newcastle (h), Wolves (a), Manchester Utd (h), Napoli (h), Bournemouth (a), Burnley, Everton (h), Paris St-Germain (a), Watford (a), Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Cardiff (h), Red Star Belgrade (h), Huddersfield (a), Manchester City (h), Napoli (a), Chelsea (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Brighton (h), Crystal Palace (a), West Ham (h)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 



Once again, Liverpool just are.

They just grind. They just get there, whether through a late goal or five-minute flurry or moment of magic. They drag themselves, sometimes kicking and screaming, over the finish line. For the seventh successive win in all competitions, and at this point of this season.

At this point, they are what they are. And what they are is relentless.

Once again, the first half isn't great.

Liverpool take just four shots. Salah's first, on target, was a very good chance, but the rest are more marginal. Once again, a deep, determined back four/six/eight, is stifling Liverpool. And we're getting frustrated.

And not only is Chelsea's defense deep, determined, and in position, they're upsetting Liverpool's flow with an intermittent press, using the front three and maybe a midfielder to hassle the initial build-up before dropping once Liverpool get around the halfway line. Chelsea made a surprisingly high amount of tackles and interceptions in the middle third of the pitch for a side facing Liverpool.

It makes for tough watching, especially as Liverpool, Anfield, and every single one of us knows a win's necessary to keep pace. And every single one of us remembers the last time Liverpool were in this position against Chelsea late in a title-chasing season.

But Liverpool keep going and, encouraged rather than dismayed, Liverpool get two quick-fire goals early in the second half – a passing move the likes of which we've seen all season and an absolute marvel from Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool get that bit of luck, with Hazard's two missed chances, but Liverpool also make their own luck, as has happened almost all season. Liverpool see out the match with comfortable possession after those frightening five minutes, with cool heads and necessary substitutions ensuring said comfort.

It's not quite as frantic as Southampton or Tottenham, and not quite as secure as against Porto, but not wholly out of character from what we've seen over the last few months. For better far more than for worse.

There has been one notable change over the last three matches though. Jordan Henderson's emergence (reemergence?) as an attacking midfielder. The third goal off the bench against Southampton, his first goal of the season. Assists for the game-winning goal against Southampton and Chelsea. The most Liverpool chances created against Porto, including a hockey assist on the crucial second goal, where he also won the ball back in the midfield to start the move.

His assist on Sunday – like his goal against Southampton – was exactly what I've wanted to see more of from Liverpool's midfielders, even when we're getting sufficient creation from the front three and full-backs. Those runs into the box though. This time, backing up Salah and Firmino's entry into the penalty area, following up when Emerson intercepted then standing up a cross to the box post, knowing exactly where to find Sadio Mané. That goal against Southampton came as the extra attacker on the break, charging after Matip's long pass downfield, in the right place for Firmino's centered pass.

They've been important moments, necessary moments.

There is a whole mountain of salt taken with this because of sample size but Henderson's performances as a more advanced midfielder have been more than encouraging.



Running hot in front of goal for a couple of games, yay! Which, maybe, to be fair, but also a pile of key passes and interceptions per 90 minutes compared to others who've played in that position. And, unsurprisingly, compared to what he's done in a deeper role.

There are a couple of other caveats worth mentioning besides sample size and positional foibles. Henderson started in this role against Everton and United a couple of months ago and *gulps, tugs collar*, taking just one shot and failing to create a chance in the two matches, with Liverpool drawing both 0-0. That dribble rate is bad, whether as an attacking midfielder or defensive shield.

As for the others he's compared to. Four of Milner's six goals were from the penalty spot and three of Milner's six assists have been from set plays, so that's marginally inflated. Plus Milner's also played a handful of games at full-back, so warnings about long passes, total passes, and defensive actions. We're often told that a lot of what Wijnaldum's asked to do doesn't show up in stats like these, except maybe his pass accuracy and higher dribble rate than Milner or Henderson. And Keïta's sometimes struggles this season are more than explainable with change in style and league, as well as intermittent injury. Plus, he's also come good over the last few games.

Whether it's a blip or course correction, it has been encouraging, and it has been good timing from Liverpool's captain.

But he has not been the only one. Not on Sunday, not for the last three games or the last month.

Because, once again, Liverpool are what Liverpool are. And it's an everyone thing.

The center-backs and keeper organized and defend. The full-backs defend and create. The midfield possesses and passes and presses, and Fabinho destroys while Keïta and Henderson increasingly add to the attack. And the front three does front three things.

It's less "Mohamed Salah will save us" than at almost any point last season. It's less "Alisson and van Dijk will cancel out any possible mistakes" than earlier in this season. It is very much a team effort, which makes it that much more meaningful.

Sometimes it's great and good fun, although rarely comfortable. Sometimes we get less than we'd like. Sometimes much less, to our chagrin and detriment. But, at least for the last month and more, we've gotten enough. No matter how. Every single time.

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

Goals:
Mane 51'
Salah 53'

That was a magnificent performance.

2-0, with both goals scored in the second half and in quick succession, may not necessarily suggest so. But Liverpool were incredibly impressively good throughout, and I'm still sat here in awe of it.

Okay, so it's 0-0 for the entire first half. Which, not great. In keeping with some recent frustration. But.

Liverpool are getting chances. Salah's first-time shot after a lovely Keïta pass and Mané cross too close to Kepa. Firmino poking a wicked free kick at Kepa, but also inches offside. Crosses just eluding Liverpool attackers, Chelsea defenders sticking out a leg just in time as attackers charge at goal. There's goals in this here game.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are coping reasonably well with Chelsea's sporadic press, as the front three and more attacking midfielders challenge when the ball's in Liverpool's defensive third before retreating into that frustratingly deep, frustratingly organized shape. No giveaways, no stupid. Which is always encouraging.

And Liverpool are doing enough to stop potentially dangerous Chelsea counters, whether it's Fabinho tackles or van Dijk and Matip in the air or Alisson beating away crosses. Liverpool know they need to win and proceed accordingly with both structure and tempo, but continue to ensure there's far fewer chances for stomach punches. As they've done for the vast majority of the season.

So it's 0-0 when we restart after that first half, and while it's been mostly encouraging, we're mostly full of terror because we're always full of terror. I promise, it was not bad. We might be afraid, because we've been conditioned to be afraid, but Liverpool feel like they're gonna keep doing Liverpool.

And for two glorious minutes, we get a reminder of this side in full flow. We get a reminder of Liverpool at their sword-wielding best. The side that takes names and stomps souls.

We get an opener from Sadio Mané, featuring Liverpool doing everything good that Liverpool does in attack. Constant probing possession. Spread wide to Salah, run at the box. Interplay between Salah, Firmino, and Henderson, the latter refusing to give up on the bounce of the ball. A cross from the byline, a header at the back post. Like so many we've seen come before.

And we almost immediately get a second from Mohamed Salah. Which, good lord. I know Mo Salah hasn't played all that well lately, constantly an inch or a millimeter off of what'd go perfectly last season. I also know that only Mo Salah scores that goal in this side. Van Dijk, cross-field and over the top. Salah, one on one with Emerson, who still retreats despite Salah's struggles. He gets onto that left foot. And he absolutely spanks a shot from absolutely nowhere past Arrizabalaga.

Goals from sustained build-up and crosses, and goals from Mohamed Salah doing literally unbelievable things. Sounds about right.

Of course, then we're jolted back to reality. Five minutes of utter terror. Two moments that should have been Chelsea goals: Hazard twice breaking Liverpool's usually reliable offside line, hitting the post with the first and denied by Alisson on the second. Maybe there's complacency involved, but there's also a Chelsea substitution: Higuain replacing Hudson-Odoi, shifting Hazard ostensibly back to the left. Where he probably should have played from the off.

There has been a lot of good done by Liverpool this season. But there has been a lot of luck as well. And this might well be a different match – it's at least a different Anfield – if Hazard pulls one back. Yes, yes, different season, but I can't help remembering Arsenal last season. 1-0, then 2-0. But then 2-1 and 2-2 and 2-3 and come the hell on.

But this time, van Dijk hollers and Keïta gets his foot on the ball. Liverpool basically stop everything, dominating possession for the next few minutes. Liverpool replace Keïta and Henderson with fresh legs in Milner and Wijnaldum. And Liverpool completely controls the final 30 minutes. You can't call it coasting, because Liverpool never stop running, never stop pressing, and have a few more sights at goal, but for the most part, it's game over and a slow slow death for another opponent. As we got on Tuesday. No muss, no fuss, three points, back on top.

So, yeah. It's basically everything you want to see. Liverpool, determined and resilient in attack despite early frustration, eventually getting the needed minutes of magic. Liverpool, determined and resilient in defense, in control for the vast majority but also doing enough to hang on during the frightful five.

And that's just in isolation. You cannot forget the context. City have cantered to another win just prior, strolling 3-1 at Palace, to leapfrog Liverpool in the table. And Liverpool are up against Chelsea – not only a decent side who can counter-act a lot of what Liverpool want to do, not only the toughest opponent left to face in this league campaign, but you know and I know and they know that this is also a fixture with far too much PTSD attached. This time of year. This spot in the standings. And this opposition.

And Liverpool did exactly what they needed to. Again. A seventh win in a row in all competitions, a fifth in the league, unbeaten since January 7.

This team just will not stop. And you cannot help but love them for it, no matter what may come.

Visualized: Liverpool 2-0 Porto

Previous Match Infographics: Southampton (a), Tottenham (h), Fulham (a), Bayern Munich (a), Burnley (h), Everton (a), Watford (h), Manchester United (a), Bayern Munich (h), Bournemouth (h) West Ham (a), Leicester (h), Crystal Palace (h), Brighton (a), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Newcastle (h), Wolves (a), Manchester Utd (h), Napoli (h), Bournemouth (a), Burnley, Everton (h), Paris St-Germain (a), Watford (a), Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Cardiff (h), Red Star Belgrade (h), Huddersfield (a), Manchester City (h), Napoli (a), Chelsea (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Brighton (h), Crystal Palace (a), West Ham (h)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 



I love European football.

Because, unlike the vast majority of the Premier League, European sides do not set up to specifically deny Liverpool opportunities to press.

And then matches like this happen.

For a team who had 64% possession, them’s some big Reds numbers. pic.twitter.com/8Rlv1KIzLg

— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) April 9, 2019

As Beasley says, that's an egregious amount of tackles and ball recoveries for a side that had that much possession. 64% possession is about what Liverpool averaged against Southampton (67%), Fulham (63%), and Everton (59%) over the last month or so.

Those matches did not look like this one, even if the results were mostly similar (*glares at Merseyside Derby*).

More importantly, it's probably not coincidence that both of Liverpool's goals came from winning the ball back in midfield.



Fabinho presses the Porto attack, and while Danilo tries to tackle him, Milner – even though he's at left-back, is there to pick up the pieces, immediately looking long for Mané and going, allowing Liverpool to run at Porto before Porto can regroup.

Mané does the right thing up against two defenders, Firmino somehow finds space in the box for the layoff, and Keïta's shot is at least going to be on-target before the deflection, but this very much starts in midfield and in transition.

Similar goes for Liverpool's second, as Mané's tackled in the final third but Henderson's forward to back him up, spreading play to Keïta, who finds Firmino once again in a pocket of space, returned to Henderson who's now joined the attack.



So, we can highlight individual performances. Firmino was heavily involved in both goals, and not for the first time over the last month, having scored four and assisted three in his last six games.

Porto's system – with three deeper center-backs, one a right-back by trade – and Oliver Torres rather than Hector Herrera – probably gave Firmino a bit too much space to operate.

The average position map kind of lies – being an average position map – but there also aren't many Porto players near Firmino's position.



When Firmino plays this well, it is very, very hard to stop Liverpool. Salah and Mané get the attacking headlines, van Dijk and Alisson the defensive, but I'm still tempted to argue that no player is as essential to Jürgen Klopp's style of play as Roberto Firmino.

But there's also Naby Keïta, leading the side in tackles, almost top in ball recoveries, an opening goal within five minutes no matter the heavy deflection, and so much running. So, so much running, compared to what Liverpool's midfield has looked like with Milner and Wijnaldum in advanced positions.

There's also Jordan Henderson, again in a more advanced position, complementing Keïta, and similarly all-around everywhere, highlighted by his role in Liverpool's second goal, both in ball recovery and hockey assist.

There's Alisson, saving two clear-cut chances from Moussa Marega in two minutes, less than five minutes after Liverpool scored its second. The game is very, very different had Porto made it 2-1 in the 30th or 31st minute.

There's Fabinho, stood tall in the center circle shouting YOU WILL NOT PASS.

There's Virgil van Dijk, the best defender in Europe, and Dejan Lovren partnering him, uncertain early on having just returned from injury, but increasingly comfortable as the match progressed.

There's Trent Alexander-Arnold, another assist from a wide position, even if it wasn't a cross, and there's James Milner on the other flank, deputizing at left-back even though he hadn't played that position in ages, because he's James Milner and will do a job at any position.

Aside from finishing one or two more chances (*glares at Mo Salah's form*), it's pretty much all you could have hoped for. And it all sets up Liverpool nicely for the second leg. Because Liverpool again won a European match at Anfield.

The last time Liverpool lost European match at Anfield was October 2014, 0-3 to Real Madrid under Brendan Rodgers. Klopp's still yet to lose one, winning 14 and drawing four in the Champions League and Europa League.

We've seen clean sheets in 11 of those 18 games. We've seen two or more goals in 13 of those 18 games, with three or more in nine of them.

We've seen Liverpool in the Europa League final, then the Champions League final, and now putting themselves in position to qualify for this season's semi-finals.

European nights are assuredly back at Anfield. And Liverpool are back amongst European's elite.

Visualized: Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

Previous Match Infographics: Tottenham (h), Fulham (a), Bayern Munich (a), Burnley (h), Everton (a), Watford (h), Manchester United (a), Bayern Munich (h), Bournemouth (h) West Ham (a), Leicester (h), Crystal Palace (h), Brighton (a), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Newcastle (h), Wolves (a), Manchester Utd (h), Napoli (h), Bournemouth (a), Burnley, Everton (h), Paris St-Germain (a), Watford (a), Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Cardiff (h), Red Star Belgrade (h), Huddersfield (a), Manchester City (h), Napoli (a), Chelsea (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Brighton (h), Crystal Palace (a), West Ham (h)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 



We can talk about comeback wins again.

Liverpool have 2.29 points per game this season in matches where they've been behind. Prior to this year, their best ever Premier League season was 2.26 points per game (2008/09) https://t.co/xeH7VdLPrs

— Aveek Bhattacharya (@aveek18) April 6, 2019

There was the draw at Chelsea, but since then we've had Burnley (a), Arsenal (h), Palace (h), Burnley (h), and now Southampton (a). The only Premier League match that Liverpool trailed in and failed to take points from was the 1-2 loss at City, where Liverpool hauled themselves back level only to succumb to Sane's 72nd-minute strike.

We can talk about late goals and late wins again. Everton, United, and that Chelsea draw earlier in the season, and now three in a row with the winner coming after the 80th minute. Scoring when it matters most, in the matches where it matters most. It ain't great for the heart but it's sure great for the overwhelming euphoria when we finally get to full time.

Of course, we had to get to needing to come back and needing to win late, so we can also talk about Salah's struggles until scoring, the midfield issues in the first half – don't rewatch how Højbjerg's tracked on Southampton's opener – or how Liverpool have now failed to keep a clean sheet in five successive matches, the longest stretch without one since December 2018 - January 2019.

But Salah did score; the midfield –  a trio which hadn't started together since 3-0 Bournemouth in February – improved as the match went on, especially after Henderson replaced Wijnaldum; and Liverpool only conceded the one despite threatening more in the rickety opening half hour.

So we can talk about other things.

Like how Liverpool's full-backs have a combined 16 league assists so far. Which is tied with Cardiff and five more than Huddersfield has. The entire team. In the entire campaign.

Liverpool most certainly have not gotten this level of production from full-back in recent seasons.



Robertson's nine assists so far this season – with two more in the Champions League – would be more than all of Liverpool's full-backs totaled in 12 of the previous 14 seasons, all except 2004-05 and 2006-07. But the opposition can't just focus on his deliveries, because you've got Alexander-Arnold on the other side of the pitch.

The production from those two has also meant a lot more goals from crosses than we're used to.

By my count, we've seen 26 goals coming from crosses. Granted, this is using the loosest definition of crossing. We're counting Alderweireld's own goal against Tottenham, Alexander-Arnold's cross leading to Salah's shot saved. We're counting Mané's goal on opening day against West Ham, where Milner kept in a cross at the back post and laid off for Mané. We're counting both high crosses and low crosses, as long as the low cross isn't more of a close-range pass, and both open play and set play.

Here's the list.



And here's the spreadsheet, with some more detailed notes.

18 of 26 led to goals directly from the cross. 14 goals came from open play, 12 from set plays. 12 crosses led to headed goals, nine to left-footed goals, and five to right-footed goals. 21 came from high crosses, five from low crosses, but the subjectivity means we probably could have counted a couple more goals as coming from low crosses – goals like Henderson's at Southampton on Friday.

13 of the 26 have led to Liverpool's opening goal. Liverpool went on to win 12 of those 13 matches, the 1-1 draw with West Ham two months ago the only exception.

But only four different players have an assist from crosses: Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Milner, and Salah. Salah's only came from a corner, as did two of Milner's four, with the others a cross and the aforementioned back-post lay off.

Crossing is also a strategy we've complained about it, in previous seasons and earlier this season. Because it is a strategy often employed by the weak – Tony Pulis' Stoke, Sam Allardyce's whomever. Get it in the mixer and let the big bodies do the work. Low risk, high reward, and agricultural as all get out.

Which is obviously not how Liverpool treat crosses.

Liverpool's crossing style is varied, Liverpool's targets for crosses are varied, but the output comes almost solely from two players, especially when in open play. And they're Liverpool's full-backs.

Most importantly. Yes, we've seen goals against Bayern, Tottenham, and Arsenal, but the vast majority of these have come against Watford and West Ham and Newcastle and the like. Sides that sit deep, sides that defend, sides that Liverpool have to break down. This is the way that Liverpool have tried to rectify the failings of previous seasons. The brick wall bus parkers. The frustration. The inability to cut through an opponent when there are few opportunities to press or to counter.

It is not always easy to watch, and has become harder as the season's gone on. The draining season becomes more evident when watching the ever-presents. Liverpool concede cheap goals more often, even if it's thankfully not all that often. Games narrow, results stay in the balance for the duration.

But Liverpool somehow survive and somehow advance.

It's a strategy that's working. The league table is evidence enough of that.

Visualized: Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham

Previous Match Infographics: Fulham (a), Bayern Munich (a), Burnley (h), Everton (a), Watford (h), Manchester United (a), Bayern Munich (h), Bournemouth (h) West Ham (a), Leicester (h), Crystal Palace (h), Brighton (a), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Newcastle (h), Wolves (a), Manchester Utd (h), Napoli (h), Bournemouth (a), Burnley, Everton (h), Paris St-Germain (a), Watford (a), Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Cardiff (h), Red Star Belgrade (h), Huddersfield (a), Manchester City (h), Napoli (a), Chelsea (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Brighton (h), Crystal Palace (a), West Ham (h)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 

Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham

Goals:
Firmino 16'
Moura 70'
Alderweireld OG 90'

And you thought Liverpool's last match was lucky. Good lord the season's gonna kill us all.

It is very hard to talk about the football match when things like this happen.

In a lot of ways, we've been here before. Liverpool are decent for most of the first half and open the scoring early, Firmino's wonderful header from Robertson's even more wonderful cross. But Liverpool don't get a second despite a handful of half-chances, and Liverpool's only shot on-target is that Firmino goal. They're once again up against a deep defense, with Spurs switching to a back three to both contain Liverpool and because they've barely got any available central midfielders.

And Liverpool increasingly fumble and frustrate. And Spurs improve, because Spurs are not Fulham or Burnley or Everton or Leicester or West Ham, especially after Spurs switch to 4-4-2 at halftime. Now it's Liverpool increasingly pushed back, the fullbacks far less of an outlet with Eriksen and Rose on the wings and Tripper and Vertonghen solidly behind.

We get angrier at Liverpool's midfield's inability to create, especially when paired with increasingly less destroying, not even doing what they're there to and at least keep possession. We get angrier at the lack of substitutions, Fabinho still on the bench, Keïta and Shaqiri seemingly not even in plans.

And an equalizer feels coming. Liverpool are doing *enough* – Van Dijk constantly heading away, Robertson's crucial block on Eriksen's rebound after Alisson saves Kane's wide angle shot, Matip thankfully scrambling Eriksen's cross behind rather than into his own net – but we're rightfully nervous.

Then it comes. Sure, Harry Kane's barely fouled and takes the free kick with the ball still rolling, Trippier's damned close to offside, and Eriksen mis-hits his pass inside but it somehow falls perfectly for Lucas Moura. Multiple bad and unfortunate things needed to happen for Spurs to equalize. But Spurs equalized. Just as Leicester and West Ham did in those maybe costly draws, just like Fulham did two weeks ago.

Thankfully, we got what we got two weeks ago. Which did not feel like happening until it somehow happened.

Fabinho finally comes on, as does Origi. Liverpool push and press and both van Dijk and Firmino should have scored from the same corner and Origi's free kick is deflected barely wide and Mané's almost but not quite found by van Dijk with a long clearance. It is actually better, spurred into action by Spurs' goal.

There should have been a winner here. And it should have comes from Tottenham. Liverpool, full bore for a second goal, are leaving themselves wide open. Tottenham break when Liverpool lose possession in the final third and it's Rose to Kane to Son to Sissoko, two on one against just Virgil van Dijk. But van Dijk's angles are perfect because van Dijk's almost always perfect, baiting Sissoko into a shot when unable to release Son, ballooned over. To make matters seem more lost, Dele Alli's curling an effort just off-target two minutes later.

This is the way the world ends. With a draw at best and maybe a loss and there's no way City are dropping points in two matches let alone one.

Until Liverpool get a corner, and Robertson corrals the clearance and Alexander-Arnold whips a cross to Salah at the back post. Header saved, but saved onto Alderweireld, rolling past and under Lloris just before 90:00 hits the clock.

Pandemonium. Which, I certainly do not hesitate to add, is more than deserved after the way this fixture ended last season.

And we live to see another day. Liverpool remain two points ahead of City, albeit having played one more match, as we go into April. The season lives on to kill us on another day.

And it's thanks to yet another late winner. 3-2 Paris St-Germain, 1-0 Everton, 4-2 Palace (which somehow became 4-3), and now 2-1 Tottenham. All winners in the 90th minute or later. Not to mention 1-1 Chelsea in the 89th minute or 2-1 Fulham in the 82nd minute or maybe necessary two-goal cushions at Palace and in both matches against Burnley.

Are they flukes if they're multiples?

So no matter the sometimes sloppiness and more times of frustration. No matter the same again, almost punished again. No matter the struggles in attack or the odd mistake in defense, or the questionable decisions with both line-ups and substitutions.

This is a team that does not give up. And that's by far the most important quality at this stage of the season. That might well be the only quality worth mentioning at this stage of the season.

Six matches left.

Visualized: Liverpool 2-1 Fulham

Previous Match Infographics: Bayern Munich (a), Burnley (h), Everton (a), Watford (h), Manchester United (a), Bayern Munich (h), Bournemouth (h) West Ham (a), Leicester (h), Crystal Palace (h), Brighton (a), Manchester City (a), Arsenal (h), Newcastle (h), Wolves (a), Manchester Utd (h), Napoli (h), Bournemouth (a), Burnley, Everton (h), Paris St-Germain (a), Watford (a), Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Cardiff (h), Red Star Belgrade (h), Huddersfield (a), Manchester City (h), Napoli (a), Chelsea (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Brighton (h), Crystal Palace (a), West Ham (h)

Match data from WhoScored, except average position from the SofaScore app. 



Yes, yes, we know.

This could and maybe should have been West Ham, United, Everton again. The recent away debacles, the recent away draws. Liverpool's struggles against a deep defense, Mohamed Salah's struggles. Liverpool scored, unlike the previous two away matches, but then Liverpool also conceded, thanks to an incredibly bad error from the two players who've revolutionized that Liverpool defense.

It wasn't great, and there seems little point in hammering some of the recent negative traits over and over and over and over.

So let's talk about some other stuff.

Like how Sadio Mané is on another planet right now.




11 of 11 from inside the box, with nine in the Danger Zone. Eight of 11 from clear-cut chances. An apex predator.

Five from right-footed shots, three from left-footed shots, and three from headers. Capable of finishing with either foot or his header, from crosses or from passes on the floor. Versatility personified. But only one from a set play: the opener at Bournemouth, from a corner but a second phase, the initial ball cleared but Alexander-Arnold's cross back in converted.

Every single goal in the first 30 minutes or the final ten. Six opening goals, three game-winners. Picking his moments.

And they've been crucial, not only in timing but also just in scoring, as Salah has three goals and one assist over those 11 games (and two of the goals came in the first game of this stretch), while Firmino has three goals and three assists.

Sadio Mané's doing work. It ain't gonna last forever, so enjoy it while it lasts.

It’s what happens when a lad with a career (very good) Shot conversion of 19% starts banging in 37% of his shots https://t.co/0yytOeCjZf

— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) March 20, 2019

Mané has scored 11 goals from 4.23XG off of his last 30 shots
That’s 37% conversion rate or 18% better than Messi

— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) March 20, 2019

We could also talk about how Liverpool got three points after a difficult Champions League knockout match, something they've not been able to do often under Jürgen Klopp.

To be fair, it's not just a Jürgen Klopp thing. Liverpool have struggled in league matches after European knockout ties for years now. Most teams have, most teams do.

But still.



Six wins following European knockout round matches, with four draws and four losses. An average of 1.57 points per game. 1.57 goals per game, 1.0 conceded per game. Not great.

But it's even more stark away from home. Including the penalty shootout loss at Wembley, which we're counting as both a draw and an away match for simplicity, Liverpool's away record after European knockout games is 2W-3D-4L. Which is an average of a point per game, scoring an average of a goal per game and conceding an average of 1.33 per game. Which is really, really not good.

So a win, any win, even if tortured, even if against the 19th-placed side in the league, is very much welcomed after the midweek exertions.

Or how Liverpool won the match in the final ten minutes, which most memorably happened at Everton back in December, but also against Palace in January, against United in December, and against PSG in November, with Sturridge's equalizer at Chelsea back in September also worth a mention.

Or how it's Liverpool's first league win away from home since beating Brighton on January 12.

Or how Liverpool have already equaled Klopp's previous high for a Premier League campaign. 76 points, the same as in 2016-17, and a point better than last season's total.

Or how Liverpool are back at the top of the table, albeit only by two points against City's game in hand, but they're there, rather than taking just one point and remaining level with City despite that game in hand.

So, sure, it was most definitely not the best match. Sure, there are still seven games to go, and an excellent chance that it still ends in tears. No matter. There was good – good that some of the frustration and the pressure has made us forget – and there was a win. Try to enjoy the ride.