Two weeks since the outstanding performance against Manchester City, and two games since a decent Liverpool performance, Jürgen Klopp’s reds finally got a win, a solid 3-0 victory over sinking Huddersfield Town.
The star performer in this victory may not actually be a Liverpool player come next year. Emre Can’s contract will be up at the end of the season and the industrial midfielder doesn’t look like he will sign an extension at the Merseyside club.
Juventus have been linked to sign Can on a deal that will see him move to Italy as soon as his time at Anfield is up, but nothing has been agreed yet.
Can was highly influential in West Yorkshire last night. His half volley was beautifully struck, and despite the deflection found the bottom corner of the Huddersfield goal.
If you look at it, the German could have had a hat-trick. For the second goal, he was in acres of space at the back post, before Firmino cleverly slotted past Lossl at his near post from the tightest of angles. If Bobby had chosen to square the ball to Can, it may have been his name on the score sheet twice already.
Then, when Billing did push Can to the floor and the midfielder won the penalty, Salah may have given him the ball to convert for his first hat-trick. And with Can being German, I assume he is decent at penalties.
Can was essential to the Liverpool midfield tonight. Klopp changed things, Wijnaldum and Chamberlain were dropped meaning that Henderson and Milner’s return saw Can’s defensive duties lifted away from him a little bit. This freed up the 24-year-old, especially when he drifted out to the right. His power and running would be a weapon and asset to any team.
Notable mentions go to Roberto Firmino who was excellent again, he is a creative, skilful genius. That side of his game was on display last night. Lovren was also bought back into the team and didn’t put a foot wrong, the Croatian also helped Matip out a few times, getting his partner out of trouble when he ventured into midfield. Finally, captain Jordan Henderson maybe proved some doubters wrong, as his passion and energy helped push Liverpool forward and take all three points back to Merseyside.
