Huddersfield Town vs Liverpool. Premier League.
The John Smith's StadiumAttendance24,121.
Wednesday 31 January 2018 07:14, UK
Liverpool got back to winning ways on Tuesday evening as they swept past Huddersfield with a 3-0 win in the Premier League.
After going 18 games unbeaten, Jurgen Klopp's side had lost their last two games in all competitions but got back on top against a scrappy Huddersfield at the John Smith's Stadium.
Emre Can (26) opened the scoring with a deflected volley before Roberto Firmino (45+1) squeezed the ball home at the acutest of angles. Mohamed Salah (78) added the third from the penalty spot in the second period after Philip Billing fouled Can in the box.
Liverpool are still in fourth and move five points clear of Tottenham ahead of their match against Manchester United on Wednesday while Huddersfield remain in 14th spot on 24 points - one above the relegation places.
It was Huddersfield who had the first chance of the game in the 17th minute, testing Loris Karius. Chris Lowe burst down the left flank before cutting the ball back for an unmarked Laurent Depoitre who swept towards goal, but Karius got down low to push the effort away before pouncing on the loose ball.
Liverpool made the breakthrough nine minutes later with a fine volley from Can. Andrew Robertson's cross from the left-hand side was well cleared by Christopher Schindler, but the rebound fell to the feet of the German who hammered a volley towards goal. It nestled into the bottom corner after taking a deflection off Billing's heel.
Huddersfield could have added the next goal in the 40th minute as they won a free kick by the top right corner of the box, but Lowe's effort just whipped past the far post.
Just after the one minute of added time was announced, Liverpool scored their second. A superb flick from Sadio Mane set Firmino away down the left of the box, taking on goalkeeper Jonas Lossl at the near post. He managed to squeeze the ball around him at the tightest of angles, with the ball taking a nick off the bottom of the post before landing in the far corner.
Liverpool mostly dominated the second period, and forced two fine saves from Lossl early on after the break. Can pumped an inviting ball into the box, which met the head of Mane, but his effort went straight into the hands of the goalkeeper. Lossl, who then pushed a fierce drive from James Milner over the crossbar a few minutes later. Mane had another headed effort in the 69th minute after Can delivered a cross for him once again, but this time, it went flying past the post.
The Reds added their third in the 78th minute after Billing pushed Can over in the box. Salah stepped up to take and thrashed the ball home to see Liverpool take all three points back to Anfield.
David Wagner: "It was hard work. There is no doubt that this was a deserved defeat. The quality side has won today. Against a team of this quality the important situations have to go in your favour to be successful."
Jurgen Klopp: "Of course, that was the reaction we needed to show. I think everybody saw it was not brilliant. It was not our best game we played so far, but it was very mature and, in the end, very deserved it."
Charlie Nicholas: "The result is everything for Liverpool. They started well then had a lull when the strikers didn't get going for a spell. Firmino is the one who leads it and Mane was keen and enthusiastic but you could see he is desperate for a goal. He needs to lift his composure levels.
"It was a decent performance for Liverpool and a fabulous result for them as it squeezes Chelsea and Man Utd and the two North London clubs have to play catch-up. However, Huddersfield were awful."
For a player who has constantly been linked with a move away fronm Liverpool, it was a fantastic performance from Can who scored a smashing opener - albeit with a deflection - and won the penalty after coming out on top in his tussle with Billing.
He also provided some superb crosses for his team-mates throughout the game, twice doing so for Mane in quick succession but the forward could not get his headers past Lossl. A solid all-round performance from Can.
Huddersfield face another tough appointment on Saturday when they travel to Manchester United, while Liverpool take on Tottenham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports
