{"id":95164,"date":"2023-10-26T21:24:48","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T21:24:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=95164"},"modified":"2023-10-26T21:24:48","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T21:24:48","slug":"liverpool-have-wonderkid-in-their-ranks-as-klopp-general-shines-in-toulouse-rout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/soccer\/liverpool-have-wonderkid-in-their-ranks-as-klopp-general-shines-in-toulouse-rout\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool have wonderkid in their ranks as Klopp general shines in Toulouse rout"},"content":{"rendered":"

In pictures: Liverpool v Toulouse<\/h3>\n

Liverpool overcame a brief scare to keep their perfect Europa League record intact after a 5-1 victory over Toulouse at Anfield on Thursday night. Jurgen Klopp made eight changes from their Merseyside derby victory over Everton at the weekend as he handed minutes to some underused players in his squad and the German would have been delighted with the performance and result, with several players making an impression.<\/p>\n

Diogo Jota opened the scoring in some style, taking the ball through the middle about 30 yards out and nutmegging a defender before slotting underneath the teenage goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. But Liverpool weren’t going to have it all their own way after being carved open by a wonderful move from the French side, which was finished off by Thijs Dalling after he sprung the offside trap.<\/p>\n

Wataru Endo restored the hosts’ lead with a sumptuous header on the half-hour mark and Darwin Nunez thundered home an unstoppable effort from close range to give them some breathing space. The excellent Ryan Gravenberch tucked home a fourth after Nunez was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance and Mohamed Salah scored a late fifth, as Klopp’s men cruised to a convincing win.<\/p>\n

Express Sport<\/em> analyses how Klopp’s Liverpool stars performed after their narrow Europa League victory…<\/p>\n

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Caoimhin Kelleher – 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Irishman may feel disappointed with how Dallinga managed to squeeze the ball underneath him, but in truth, his defence’s poorly-executed high line let him down. Little to do otherwise after being handed a rare start by Klopp.<\/p>\n

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

The obvious choice for the captaincy with Van Dijk on the bench and the right-back led by example, showing an eagerness to take charge of the ball. Toulouse’s setup suffocated the space in which he usually thrives, though, limiting his influence going forward, but his cross for Endo was straight out of the Trent playbook.<\/p>\n

Joel Matip – 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cameroonian left Dalinga completely on his own as he stepped up belatedly and was punished for his mistake. How many more errors can the Reds afford before Klopp replaces him?<\/p>\n

Joe Gomez – 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deployed in the Van Dijk role, this was a match where the versatile defender flew under the radar but he tried some long balls forward from the back.<\/p>\n

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