The last two matchups for Liverpool have been nothing but spectacular. Whether you are a fan of Liverpool or a fan of the game, the Reds put on two unbelievable showings. Wednesday the 16th, Liverpool went up against first place Tottenham Hotspur and absolutely dominated the game. The Reds had possession 76% of the game with 17 total shots (12 shots on goal). The most dramatic of finishes, Roberto Firmino, heads in the corner kick in the 90th minute to seal the game. Firmino finally got into form with 5 goals and 3 assists in 14 matches. The win versus the Spurs leapfrogged the Reds into sole possession of first in the Premier League.
Liverpool faced off against Crystal Palace early this morning in the U.S., and if you woke up to watch them play, they did not disappoint. Early in the 3rd minute of the match Takumi Minamino, who started in place for Salah, got the scoring going early. Add on Mane in the 35th minute and Firmino in the 44th minute, and the Reds had a commanding 3-0 lead going into the half. Liverpool took control of this game early and didn’t look back. The Reds controlled the ball for 60% of the match and had 11 total shots (7 shots on goal). Of those seven shots on goal, all seven went in.
Crystal Palace netminder Vicente Guaita had a nightmare of a game. Every shot he faced went in, nothing to brag about there. However, all the shots on goal were unstoppable. The Reds were in unbelievable form from the kickoff. The captain got things going in the second half, netting his first of the campaign in the 52nd minute on a beautiful strike. Firmino added his second of the game in the 68th minute on a cheeky chipin over the keeper. Salah replaced Mane in the 57th minute and made his mark in the 81st minute on a header, and defenders looked at each other as he was unmarked. But no goal was as brilliant as Salah’s second of the game. In the 84th minute, Salah took a big touch right outside the box and curved it into the top corner. Liverpool did not let off the gas pedal as they rolled Crystal Palace 7-0. They have a game in hand with Tottenham and Leicester City but now have a higher goal differential and lead the Spurs by 6 points and Leicester by 7.
Liverpool next plays on Sunday, December 27th against West Brom. West Brom sits in 19th place with a 1-4-8 record. Liverpool finally has a break from play, and all their players should be rested and control this game as they did with Crystal Palace. Barring any training injuries, Liverpool should steamroll West Brom when they meet.
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