Liverpool continued their greatest ever Premier League season last night with a 5-0 victory against Huddersfield. While the result may not be too impressive given the dire situation Huddersfield are in at the moment already relegated and rock bottom of the league, Liverpool's total of 91 points with 2 more games to play certainly is impressive. As things stand their current points total and goal difference would have been enough to win the league on 22 of the previous 26 seasons and should they add another 6 points by winning their remaining games then only the record-breaking Manchester City of last year who achieved 100 points could better them.
With a massive game looming against Barcelona coming up next Wednesday it was speculated that a few of Liverpool's top stars may have been rested to take on the worst side in the league, and while there were a few changes from what is Jurgen Klopp's strongest side they were forced through injury and the Liverpool boss named a strong side to ensure the best chances of maximum points in hope that City slip up. Dejan Lovren came into the back line in place of Joel Matip and it was an unchanged midfield with Fabinho not being rushed back after his head injury against Cardiff. Mo Salah and Sadio Mane both started in attack however Roberto Frimino was left out due to a muscle problem allowing a rare start for Daniel Sturridge. There would have been a collective smile from Liverpool fans when the team lineups were announced when they saw Alex Oxlade Chamberlain named on the bench for the first time this season after being out for over a year. Huddersfield's manager had a number of injury problems coming into the game but top scorer Karlan Grant overcame illness and was able to start on the wing while Jan Siewert continued to go with Juninho Bacuna in midfield despite Huddersfield failing to win whenever he has played.
The game got off to a fantastic start for Liverpool with Naby Keita scoring the fastest Premier League goal in the clubs history after just 15 seconds. Huddersfield played it back to the goalkeeper from kickoff and then attempted to play it out from the back through Stankovic. He was charged down and dispossessed by Keita, the ball came to Mo Salah who played it back to Keita who had made a run into the box and the midfielder slotted it past the Huddersfield keeper. It was a gift for Liverpool from Huddersfield and from those first 15 seconds onwards any pressure or fear of a shock upset was well and truly swept away.
Liverpool dealt with a few attempts from Huddersfield for the next few minutes but was never really threatened, after around 15 minutes The Reds took full control of the game and patiently waited for more openings to score. Midway through the first half, one would arise and Liverpool got their 2nd goal of the game. Virgil van Dijk collected the ball on the halfway line and carried it forward into the final third, he then played it out wide to the left wing where Robertson had got forward. The Liverpool left-back took a touch before lining up an inch-perfect cross into the penalty area where Sadio Mane was waiting unmarked to head the ball into the back of the net. It was all so easy for Liverpool, the Huddersfield defenders put no pressure on Robertson or Mane and it is easy to see why they are bottom of the league.
Just as the half was coming to a close and entering the 1 minute of extra time Liverpool capped it off with their 3rd goal, this time it was Mo Salah getting his name on the scoresheet to score his 20th league goal of the season. Trent Alexander Arnold received a short pass from Wijnaldum on the halfway line, as the ball came to him Salah started to make his move, the forward run into the box was spotted by the right back and he launched it forward for the Egyptian. Jonas Lossl in goal for Huddersfield spotted the danger and came off his line to meet Salah at the edge of the box but the Liverpool forward spotted that too and lifted the ball over him then gave a thumbs up thanking Alexander Arnold for the assist as he watched it dip into the empty net to make it 3-0.
In the 2nd half, there was no sign of Liverpool easing off satisfied with their lead, they continued to play as they had done in the first 45 minutes and around the 65th minute added their fourth. An attack down the left side came to nothing but the ball came all the way over to the right and was kept alive by Alexander Arnold cutting it inside for Jordan Henderson. The Liverpool captain had all the space in the world and measured a beautiful first touch ball into the box met by Sadio Mane who headed in his 2nd goal of the game to make it 4-0 to Liverpool. That brought Mane to the 20 goal milestone and extended the run of assists for Henderson since he moved from a more defensive midfielder to being allowed to get involved in Liverpool's attacks.
With 20 minutes left to play and the game well and truly won Jurgen Klopp gave the Anfield crowd something they had been waiting for a long time to see. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain stripped off to come on from the bench along with Xerdan Shaqiri in place of Sturridge and Wijnaldum. Oxlade Chamberlain proved a big hit last season scoring a couple of sensational goals against Manchester City but had his season cut short with injury in the Champions League Semi Final. After a year on the sidelines, he finally made his comeback and almost got in to score moments after his introduction. Unfortunately, he couldn't get the ball out from under his feet to hit the shot with enough conviction. Had he scored it would have certainly ignited the biggest celebration so far this season but even without the goal it was a really productive 20 minutes, it looks like he hasn't missed a step despite the long absence and it will be exciting to see him continue his comeback for the remainder of the season and beyond.
With the game winding down Liverpool added their fifth and final goal on the 82nd minute tapping in his 2nd of the evening and 21st of the season. Shaqiri received the ball outside the 18-yard box and sent a wonderful through ball for Robertson to get on the end of. The Scot drove a low cross across the face of the goal and Liverpool's main man was on hand to knock it over the line and make it 5-0 to Liverpool.
It was a fine display for Liverpool to move back to the top of the Premier League table, 2 points ahead of Manchester City who takes on Burnley on Sunday. While Liverpool may have once again dropped down to 2nd should City win that game this 5-0 win was the perfect preparation for the upcoming game against Barcelona. Liverpool will be full of confidence and belief that they can overcome the Spanish giants to secure their place in the Champions League final once again.