Liverpool’s Three Stars: Huddersfield Town (H)
In a game that seemed to be heading the way of far too many Liverpool matches recently, the Reds overcame a lethargic first half to score three goals in what was a decisive and professional second.
Mohamed Salah had his penalty saved by Jonas Lossl in the Huddersfield goal. However, strikes from Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum were enough to seal all three points for the Reds.
Who were the top three performers?
Here’s what we think.
Joe Gomez
The England U21 captain began the season competing for a place in the side with his compatriot Trent Alexander-Arnold, but now looks as though he has secured his place in the team at right full-back.
Gomez has rarely looked flustered this season in the Premier League, although his attacking play leaves a little to be desired. Against Huddersfield he was notably withdrawn, leaving all of the wing-play to Mohamed Salah in what seemed to be a tactical choice by Jürgen Klopp, ensuring that any counter-attacking threat by Huddersfield was quickly snuffed out by what was effectively a back three.
Gomez’s future position is still up for debate: is he a full-back or a centre-back? Time will tell, but the prospect’s complete unflappability shows that he certainly has a career at the highest level, and his professional performance against the Terriers showcased as much.
Daniel Sturridge
The forgotten man of this Liverpool squad, Daniel Sturridge made his mark in Sadio Mané’s absence by scoring the opening goal against Hudderfield.
Sturridge was the most lively attacker in a dull first half, coming close on a few separate occasions, but it wasn’t until the 50th minute that the striker latched on to Tommy Smith’s errant header and lifted the ball around the oncoming Jonas Lössl for his 100th career goal.
Sturridge no longer possesses the blistering pace that made him so lethal in years past, but his class remains evident in other ways. The cross-field switch to Alberto Moreno in the second half was sumptuous, and the fact that he is still finding ways to put the ball in the net is proof enough that the Birmingham-born striker still has a place in this Liverpool team going forward.
Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian was the catalyst for much of the Reds’ good work against Huddersfield on Saturday. Not only did he draw a penalty in the first half, he combined well with Mohamed Salah on the right wing, tracked back on the left, and provided an outlet through the middle.
His positioning in the 50th minute forced the direction of Tommy Smith’s header toward Daniel Sturridge, and he should have been rewarded with an assist minutes later if not for a goal saving interception by Zanka. Firmino was not to go unrewarded for his hard work, however, as he scored a deft header from the resulting corner.
Firmino’s goal was his first in the league since August, which is concerning, but the work he does in other areas of the pitch goes a long way in outweighing his goal return.