Liverpool: LFC Defeat Improved Maribor At Anfield
Slovenian side unrecognisable from recent 7-0 hammering but still comfortably beaten...Liverpool retained their top spot in Champions League Group E on Wednesday night with a routine 3-0 home victory over NK Maribor.
In a carbon copy of Saturday's Premier League encounter with Huddersfield Town, the Reds showed good perseverance to finally breakdown their defensively-minded opponents during the second half.
As at the weekend, Jürgen Klopp's men, for all their dominance, struggled to create chances during the opening 45 minutes, with a deflected Roberto Firmino effort forcing the only save of note.
However, once the deadlock was broken by Mohamed Salah's deft flick in the 49th minute, the Reds relaxed and began to express themselves, although another record-breaking evening never looked on the agenda.
Further goals from Emre Can, following a neat one-two with James Milner, and substitute Daniel Sturridge in the 90th minute followed as the Merseysiders continued their unbeaten European campaign.
In another uncanny similarity to their domestic win by the same scoreline four days ago, Liverpool could even afford to miss a penalty along the way - their fourth in succession at Anfield. Milner the guilty party on this occasion.
Analysing proceedings at the full-time whistle, manager Jürgen Klopp lauded the patience his players showed, as well as the quality of their goals.
"First half, everybody saw it was not the most exciting football," reflected the former Borussia Dortmund boss. "It was very difficult. We knew that they would play like this - anything else would have been a big surprise. The box was full of people in a Maribor kit and we didn't come through in the right way, we didn't take shots when we could have taken it...
"At half-time, we told the boys we had to stay patient. It's not allowed to be frustrated about different things, because there were a little few signs that we were not that spot-on anymore in the counter-pressing situations - and they are very important. Counter-pressing is a fantastic playmaker, you get the ball back and the gap is there. We didn't speed up in these situations.
"Second half, a fantastic goal; good timing, a good cross but good timing of Mo as well, coming into the box and being in the centre. The second goal was fantastic play, speeding up even in a small space, playing a one-two and then taking a shot. Third goal after a set-piece.
"I'm pleased, especially with the result and the reaction. The game was not our best game we've ever played but before the game we knew the maximum points we could get was eight after the game. Three goals, good; clean sheet, good; eight points, perfect."
Sevilla's 2-1 victory over Spartak Moscow in the other game in the group keeps them a point behind Klopp's side with the two set to meet in Spain after the international break on November 21.
Prior to the next set of international fixtures the Reds face West Ham United in the Premier League at the London Stadium on Saturday.
However, once the deadlock was broken by Mohamed Salah's deft flick in the 49th minute, the Reds relaxed and began to express themselves, although another record-breaking evening never looked on the agenda.
Further goals from Emre Can, following a neat one-two with James Milner, and substitute Daniel Sturridge in the 90th minute followed as the Merseysiders continued their unbeaten European campaign.
In another uncanny similarity to their domestic win by the same scoreline four days ago, Liverpool could even afford to miss a penalty along the way - their fourth in succession at Anfield. Milner the guilty party on this occasion.
Analysing proceedings at the full-time whistle, manager Jürgen Klopp lauded the patience his players showed, as well as the quality of their goals.
"First half, everybody saw it was not the most exciting football," reflected the former Borussia Dortmund boss. "It was very difficult. We knew that they would play like this - anything else would have been a big surprise. The box was full of people in a Maribor kit and we didn't come through in the right way, we didn't take shots when we could have taken it...
"At half-time, we told the boys we had to stay patient. It's not allowed to be frustrated about different things, because there were a little few signs that we were not that spot-on anymore in the counter-pressing situations - and they are very important. Counter-pressing is a fantastic playmaker, you get the ball back and the gap is there. We didn't speed up in these situations.
"Second half, a fantastic goal; good timing, a good cross but good timing of Mo as well, coming into the box and being in the centre. The second goal was fantastic play, speeding up even in a small space, playing a one-two and then taking a shot. Third goal after a set-piece.
"I'm pleased, especially with the result and the reaction. The game was not our best game we've ever played but before the game we knew the maximum points we could get was eight after the game. Three goals, good; clean sheet, good; eight points, perfect."
Sevilla's 2-1 victory over Spartak Moscow in the other game in the group keeps them a point behind Klopp's side with the two set to meet in Spain after the international break on November 21.
Prior to the next set of international fixtures the Reds face West Ham United in the Premier League at the London Stadium on Saturday.
