More encouraged by how we won, then the win itself, if I’m honest. First time in months, the boys played with a bit of anger. I’ll have that three more time, please.

RATINGS

Alisson– 6
A case of the shakes in the back. Fortunate to not get punished, especially early on.

TAA – 9
His best match in ages. Gave Pogba fits and was at the center of everything good going forward. Absolute peach of a ball for the second, excellent positioning to rip off a shot and create the third. Sterling overall, performance. 

Nat Phillips – 8
Huge response after deflecting in United’s first. Essentially slaps on a cape and does the business. Guilty of being sucked up field on United’s second, but creates our first equalizer, makes a massive goal line clearance to preserve the lead and makes sure your nan makes it safely across the street.

Rhys Williams – 7
Helluva match to have your strongest performance in. Despite his limited pace, made some extremely good reads and vital interception down the stretch. 

Robbo – 8
When I’m feeling sad I’ll just play that loop of Robbo sprinting 60 yards back to skin Rashford.

Fab – 7
Not his best overall performance but pretty sure Klopp went over an in-depth game plan that was something like “just lump the shit out of that Bruno fella.” And he executed that well so… 

Thiago – 8
Kept the ball moving quickly, sprung counters, made timely tackles (with no yellows), and made some huge switches. And didn’t get subbed off!

Gini– 7
Ghosted in and out at time but was hugely important in driving the midfield forward when we were on the ascendancy.

Salah – 8
Luke Shaw, traditionally play him pretty well. The difference was Salah returned the favor, pressing the joy off of him and punishing the backline on the counter.

Firmino – 9
It all came roaring back. The pressing, the creativity, the sharpness, the… the goals. Neatly tucked away chances in big time moments and did all the things that we depend on him to do when we’re firing on all cylinders. The movement, the defensive anticipation in the press… (chefs kiss*) 

Jota – 7
Still struggling to get back to his confident, clinical best. But he puts himself in good areas and, as we saw for the first, capable of moments of magic.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Mane – 5 (‘73)
Disappointed in the way he dispatched those gloves post game. Didn’t even look up to see if Mo was open. Selfish.

Jones- 7 (‘73)
Does well on the counter to find Mo for the fourth.

Neco – N/A (90+1)