In the Premier League this season, the word ‘seven goals’ for Liverpool and its supporters has become a taboo word because it reminds us of the 2-7 defeat to Aston Villa. Now, seven goals can be associated with a 7-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Liverpool showed a king-like appearance in the match against Crystal Palace in Week 14 of the Premier League. The Reds seemed to explain the reasons behind the question why they were in power and triumphed last season.
Facing Crystal Palace who could beat Manchester United and hold Tottenham Hotspur’s draw, Jurgen Klopp instead rotated players by saving Mohamed Salah. He gave Takumi Minamino confidence to side with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino on the front lines.
Jurgen Klopp’s decision proved right. Minamino kicked off with a quick goal in the second minute. This goal clearly helped Liverpool overcome the pressure from the hosts at the start of the match.
Through Minamino’s goal, Liverpool were able to play more relaxed and freely in the first half. As a result, two additional goals were created through Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
The three-goal advantage in the first half seemed to make Liverpool secure victory in this match. But Jurgen Klopp did not want to take advantage of the second 45 minutes by bringing in players who had minimal minutes to play and saved energy.
Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum were pulled out, but those who entered were Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones who also used to get minutes from the first team.
Klopp seemed to want to show off the maximum strength that Liverpool could show on the field.
As a result, four additional goals were created in the second half. Jordan Henderson fired a shot from outside the penalty box which became the fourth goal followed by Firmino’s prying shot.
Mohamed Salah closed the goal party with a score of goals with a header and his mainstay left footed shot which made the ball lodged in the right corner of the goal.
Liverpool ended the match with convincing results, winning 7-0.
This victory is also a good momentum for Liverpool to erase the bad memory of seven goals. The 2-7 defeat against Aston Villa at the start of the season did tarnish Liverpool’s status as the defending champions of the Premier League.
Indeed, apart from the defeat against Aston Villa, Liverpool have not shown a bad performance and are cause for concern this season.
So far the Reds have only lost once. Of the 14 matches they played, Jordan Henderson and his friends won 31 years, aka only lost 11 points from the maximum points they might get.
Indeed, Liverpool are no longer dominant and without rivals like last season, but the top position of the standings is clear evidence that Liverpool are still the best in the Premier League today.
In week 14, Liverpool started trying to run. This is clearly a serious warning for Liverpool’s top rivals such as Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City.
The Reds even showed that they are fine without the presence of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez who are the main choices in defense. Apart from the two players, Liverpool even lost a number of other players even though in a shorter period of time such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Joel Matip. Now they are losing Diogo Jota.
However, Liverpool have played eight games in the Premier League since Van Dijk was injured, Liverpool have never lost with a record of five wins and three draws.
In the midst of the inconsistency of each team and the tightness of the Premier League as a whole, the Reds are still showing to be the best team.
A 7-0 victory will certainly mean a lot to Liverpool’s confidence after this. Two matches remaining, against West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle can guarantee Liverpool will be the top of the Premier League standings at the end of 2020.
Although no longer dominant, Liverpool this season is clearly much more mature than last season. The Reds already have a winning mentality and have been tested a lot of tough stuff including a 2-7 defeat and the hurricane of injuries they have been through.
Under these conditions, Liverpool are still at the forefront of the list of potential winners of this season’s competition.
