Saturday, October 16, 2021
Incredible show by the Klopp kickers
Salah writes next poem with her feet
Needed by David
Mohamed Salah has already performed magic against Manchester City, and at Wartford FC the Egyptian once again proves his world class with a picture-perfect passport and a crazy dance against the entire defense. Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC regained the lead in the table for the time being.
In the days leading up to the eighth day of the Premier League, Jürgen Klopp made an all-round blow. The team manager of Liverpool FC first criticized the tight schedule and the Nations League, then he railed against the Saudi takeover of future “superpower” Newcastle United, which would have enough money “to buy the whole league.” But then everyday life in the league waited. Watford FC. Climbers. 15th place in the table. Clear business for the Reds?
For Liverpool it was about nothing less than regaining the top of the table. At least until the evening when Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea FC with Kai Havertz, Antonio Rüdiger and Timo Werner competes at Brentford FC (6.30 p.m. / Sky and in the live ticker on ntv.de.). And Klopp’s men arrived with a big chest: They have been unbeaten in 17 league games and are the only Premier League team to have not suffered a defeat this season. The 5-0 (2-0) score was similarly dominant – mainly thanks to an outstanding Mohamed Salah. Liverpool should also be happy to have kept a clean slate again after conceding five goals in the past two games.
But for the game, for the incredible Salah show. On Vicarage Road, it only takes a minute to get to the first top-class. Salah, whose wonderful solo goal against Manchester City is still on everyone’s lips last matchday, puts the ball brilliantly on the crossbar, but the chance is whistled back because of offside.
Salah’s first poem
The Hornets entrench themselves in the last third, but in the 9th minute it is again the Egyptian who has a brilliant moment: Salah plays with the left of the right side a poem of an outside foot pass that sailed perfectly past all Watford defenders and the Sadio Mané takes off in the middle. The Senegalese turned ice cold into the left corner with the first contact – it was his 100th Premier League goal.
Then the Reds keep on running, but the team of start coach Claudio Ranieri, who was signed only a week ago, defends aggressively without actually being able to break free. The Italian Ranieri is the sixteenth coach at Watford since 2012 – a development that Jürgen Klopp judged quite critically before the game. In the 26th minute, the newcomer had his best chance when Ismaila Sarr sent his strike partner Cucho on the trip, who hesitated too long before Caoimhin Kelleher (Alisson Becker and Fabinho returned too late from the international trip from Brazil).
A little later, Liverpool’s urge is rewarded: Roberto Firmino takes off for James Milner, who plays a one-two with Sané and then backs from the left baseline to Firmino, who is waiting in the six-yard area (37th). The next beautiful goal. Klopp cheers on the sidelines in the well-known, extravagant manner.
What a goal!
The second half begins like the first. With the magic foot of Mohamed Salah. At the right corner of the penalty area, the Egyptian prances, lays the ball on his left and irresistibly circles it in the direction of the long corner. Goalkeeper Ben Foster can just reach over and steer the ball over the bar. A few minutes later, the Reds combine again through the Hornets half. Milner’s cross unintentionally extended to Foster by Craig Cathcart, “Bobby” Firmino thanks him with his second goal (53rd).
But then it’s time again for the next big Salah show. Attention: In the 55th minute, the striker dances out the entire Watford defense. And how! The Egyptian climbs on the ball in the tightest of spaces, decelerates and pushes it past the opponent as gently as it is elegant. Another body deception and the next defender flies into the void. With the left foot – of course – Salah then beautifully slipped the 4-0. Insanity! Incomprehensible! An application for the title of the current best footballer in the world. His seventh goal in an eighth Premier League game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mané could have increased with good chances, Cucho has the connection a quarter of an hour before the end and Sarr fails with Kelleher and Pfosten six minutes before the end. The final point is once again Firmino, who made it 5-0 after great preparatory work by Neco Williams.
What will be remembered most of all is the outstanding Salah show. For the second time in a row. With this Egyptian (and Firmino in old strength), Klopps FC Liverpool is one of the closest favorites in the fight for the championship – and for the Champions League pot.