Salah sets the tone as doubts dissipate
With speculation over his long-term Liverpool future settled, Mohamed Salah delivered a performance to prove just how committed to the cause he is. After a blistering start to the 2021/22 season, it’s safe to say the Egyptian’s form fizzled out during the second half of the campaign as Sadio Mane took centre stage.
But Salah looked back to his best at the King Power Stadium as he eased past Joao Cancelo inside the opening four minutes of the match before sending an effort into the side-netting.
This was not the only occasion during the match whereby the Portuguese full-back was left not knowing which way to turn as Cancelo continued to lose this head-to-head duel.
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Effective link-up play with captain Jordan Henderson was noticeable throughout the match and Salah’s impressive afternoon was capped off by scoring a penalty late on to put Jurgen Klopp’s side back in front.
Liverpool supporters will be hoping there is more to come from the 30-year-old in the weeks ahead as Jurgen Klopp's side look to mount another title charge.
No love lost - but City overstep the mark
The developing rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City of recent years has been well-documented.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have been the two figures demanding near perfection from their sides, who have risen to this challenge time and time again while raising the bar for the remaining Premier League sides.
Even before Saturday’s contest got under way, both sets of supporters were in a jovial mood and began back-and-forth exchanges which lasted for much of the match.
City began by booing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, which Liverpool fans followed up by drowning out ‘Blue Moon. ‘You nearly won the league’ was next on the agenda but the travelling Reds, refusing to back down, responded by questioning where the Sky Blues’ European Cups happened to be.
On the pitch, Thiago ensured a feisty atmosphere continued after his shoulder check on Bernardo Silva - a player who has made his dislike for Liverpool apparent - resulted in an almighty roar by supporters positioned behind the coming together.
As is often the case, sadly, a selection of City fans took things one step too far in the second half. Chants of ‘Murderers’ and ‘Always the victims’ could be heard and put a dampener on an otherwise fantastic occasion.
Defensive dilemma
One of the main team selection doubts during the latter stages of last season revolved around whether Ibrahima Konate or Joel Matip would partner Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence. In what is a debate that very much remains unsolved, Jurgen Klopp was given another headache in this department following an assured display from Matip.
The former Schalke man was imperious throughout the contest, limiting Erling Haaland to mere scraps within the final third. Liverpool were breached during the 90 minutes, but there was little Matip could have done to prevent Julian Alvarez from prodding home.
Klopp, of course, enjoyed great success when opting for Konate in last season’s FA Cup semi-final between the sides, with the Frenchman showcasing his aerial ability by heading the Reds into an early lead at Wembley.
Fresh off the back of signing a new contract at the club, Joe Gomez will also be hoping to play a part this campaign. With only one place up for grabs, it will be interesting to see which individual is given the nod.
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