Liverpool: Clever, slick Xherdan Shaqiri deserves MOTM vs Midtjylland
Liverpool man Xherdan Shaqiri deserves to be named MOTM vs Midtjylland.
The Danes came to Anfield and fought against Jurgen Klopp’s injury plagued side as they provided all the drama one would expect from a Champions League tie.
Klopp said this Danish side where neophytes in the competition, but argued that they are still in the Champions League on merit and will be a tough test. Midtjylland proved to be just that and more, giving Liverpool a good and solid challenge – which no one would have wagered on beforehand.
Klopp picked a strange team for this game as he chose Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri, Takumi Minamino and James Milner while Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mo Salah were relegated to the bench.
This put a huge brake on the pressure applied going forward, and a lack of any sort of creative finishing to speak of.
This is the first time in a while that Liverpool fielded a starting side in such an important match without one of the lethal triumvirate on the pitch. These lads have scored a whopping 263 goals between them and Liverpool are just a different animal without their influence on the run of play.
Their subsequent call up in the second half not only changed the complexion of the tie, but also had a strong hand in determining the outcome.
The gaffer will be very happy with the way his team stayed in the tie after seeing another defensive injury as Fabinho drew up lame in the 25th minute and was forced to come off.
More from Rush The Kop
- Set to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back home
- Liverpool making late comebacks all the rage once again
- Wolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international duty
- Players to watch in the matchup with Wolves
- Predicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
Rhys Williams, at 19, found himself enlisted to cover at center back alongside Joe Gomez – who put in another top notch performance as the Reds kept their second clean sheet in a row to start the group stages.
Williams acquitted himself very well under baptism by fire, and in a Champions League tie no less.
The game continued with the same sluggish lack of creative spark and energy well into the second half, seeing both sides build momentum in possession only to lose the chance in midfield or defensive exchanges.
Liverpool continued with their sub par pass completion rate and seemed just hard pressed to find a way out of low gear, until the subs of Salah, Mane and Firmino gave the Reds their normal rhythm and flow up front. It was obvious and scary to watch this transformation in progress.
This is how important these three are to Liverpool. Anyone entertaining any ideas at all about the sale of one of these lads from a Liverpool standpoint is ludicrous. And for good reason.
Midtjylland played with courage and intensity and managed to keep the Reds on the back foot for large stretches of this match.
But Liverpool appear to be in that winning sweet spot again, even with this cobbled together side and resorting to teenagers in central defense. They have the resolve, the right stuff, to see it through. Intestinal fortitude and mental toughness define these champions.
Allison made a couple of key saves one in the first half. Robertson and Alexander-Arnold had great outings in defense and attack. Jota, Minamino, and Origi were not bad in the final third and as the tip of the defense, they just lacked the creative experience required to break down a plucky Midtjylland.
Milner skippered after Jordan Henderson left at halftime and played the entire match in fine fashion. It was a typical James Milner performance.
Next. The end of Origi, Williams is ready - Liverpool player ratings vs Midtjylland. dark
The most threatening player in both halves for the Reds was Shaqiri. His clever play saw the creation of the first goal, while his overall running and field coverage was only rivaled by Millie. For this reason I name Shaqiri MOTM for the tie.