What a difference having a fit side with proper starters makes!
Liverpool looked like a completely different club at Villa Park.
Granted, Aston Villa already appear to have resigned themselves to the Championship, but that did not stop the new-look Reds from ripping the Villans apart on Valentine’s Day.
The contrast between a Liverpool with creative players and cutting edge and one without them cannot be overstated. The starting 11 against Villa would undoubtedly be challenging for the top four had they all been able to take the field together more often.
Both sides started lively but the balance of quality quickly proved decisive. Perhaps the greatest advantage of facing the league’s worst side was that it allowed players returning from injury time to shake off rust.
That being said, Aston Villa even got Kolo’d, maybe the most ominous of omens.
Liverpool lacked precision and timing until Philippe Coutinho found Daniel Sturridge with a sublime, curled cross that the striker nodded home with ease. Confidence coursed through the side as the club’s classiest partners announced their return.
It was the beginning of something altogether unlike anything this season.
Here are four findings from the match.
Significance of Sturridge as Striker
A familiar story, a fit Daniel Sturridge plays and Liverpool look capable of beating anyone. Even rusty, his pace, movement, touch, and intuition remains world class. He is the only player on the roster that unconditionally inspires fear and dread in other sides.
He was so clearly hungry to get into the mix, attempting to get on the ball, find his touch, and making runs ahead of the dynamic duo of Brazilians. It was a rare trio of attacking talent going forward for Liverpool.
A more match-fit Sturridge could have scored more, but the oft-injured striker netted his 45th goal in 75 appearances for the Reds. It is an impressive ratio for a club with such deep and glorious history. Yet it is also no fluke, goals or games. His genius can be as delicate as his body.
Coutinho’s Creativity and Quality
No one has ever doubted the quality of Philippe Coutinho. The midfield magician has long been known to be a very special player by supporters, but he has so often been shuttled about the pitch in different positions for any number of reasons. Paired with Firmino behind Sturridge and shading to the left side is undoubtedly where he belongs.
No Reds player is more creatively incisive with pacey options moving in front of him. In fact, in this set-up, he could easily become one of the league’s best. He struggled with his precision early, but the deft swerve and weight of the cross that found Sturridge drifting between the centre-halves served as a singular reminder.
He did not stop there. Another exquisitely shaped ball into the path of Divock Origi, barely on the pitch, all but led the Belgian into the finish. Then, there were those passes that did not produce goals.
Floating Firmino at Finest
Like countryman Coutinho shading to the left side, Roberto Firmino may be best deployed as a free floating attacker. In a roaming, almost 10-like, creative role, the Brazilian’s ability bloomed with even grander possibilities.
Firmino drifted between the lines from sideline to sideline providing an almost constant option going forward, as well as pressing and winning the ball back defensively. In fact, Firmino’s quick challenge and pass allowed Coutinho to assist Origi.
This could be the beginning of Firmino’s most incisive best with the Reds. It should no longer surprise that his work-rate and skill have contributed to more goals (8) than any other league player since the turn of the new year. Confidence counts, and Firmino quietly has led Liverpool to point where they have reason to be more confident.
Cultivating Can Continues
No other player has benefitted as much from he appointment of Jurgen Klopp than Emre Can.
The coach’s recognition and grooming of the young German midfielder has been both insightful and influential. There can be little doubt that Can’s Liverpool future lies at the base of the midfield.
Also, the responsibility required of playing the deep-lying role seems to suit Can, despite his age and experience. The demands appear to be honing the Diesel’s game. It makes the most of his physical ruggedness, amplifies his passing ability, and still allows him to make marauding runs forward with greater effect.
His goal was the product of his tenacity. Winning the ball with a robust challenge and following the play forward, he was able to finish after receiving a sumptuous set-up from Firmino. Can continues to grow and, should he add more goals to his game, may easily prove a fixture of the foreseeable future.