It didn’t take Liverpool long to get back into the swing of things in the Premier League as they enjoyed a 4-0 home win over West Ham United in the opening weekend.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were goalscorers again. Roberto Firmino was a creative spark once more, while new boy Naby Keita settled in perfectly well in the midfield three. Centre-back Virgil van Dijk gave is usual calm and collected performance and new goalkeeper Alisson wasn’t troubled on his debut.

But for all the attacking greatness and flair that The Reds showed today at Anfield, you have to applaud the hard work that James Milner and Andrew Robertson put in during the ninety minutes.

You have to have balance within your team and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has that balance in his side because of the work ethic and energy the likes of Milner and Robertson bring to the game.

Milner just seems to get younger instead of older. He may now be thirty-two years of age but the veteran seemed to cover every blade of grass for his team. He’d work hard to get back and help his defence and then in the next turn on play he would be bursting forward and doing is best to support the attack.

The Englishman can stick his foot in and win the ball back, plus he’s also very composed and able to find a pass under heavy pressure.

Robertson took a wee bit of time to settle in at Merseyside in his debut term last season but he didn’t look back after cementing his place in the team after Christmas, helping Liverpool to a top four finish and to a Champions League place.

He has worked on his defensive duties and continues to improve on that front. Going forward, he’s one of the best at delivering a fine ball in from the left.

Neither were at this summer’s World Cup and that rest probably helped their high energy levels for this opening encounter but they’re extremely committed and determined characters who would have been ready for the occasion no matter what.

The duo also managed to help the team’s cause by creating an assist each.

Robertson had a terrific run down the left flank, his overlap took him in behind The Hammers defence and then his ball was inch perfect for Salah to tap in the first goal of the afternoon.

The Scottish international also had a hand in the second strike. He steered a cross to the back post, in truth it was a ball many a player might have given up on but not James Milner, who cut it back for Mane to put the chance into the back of the net!

Milner gave a man of the match award winning performance. The midfielder had a 93% passing success rate, making 103 passes in total and three of those were key passes.

Robertson made two tackles during the game and won an interception too. He constantly looked to get down the left channel and that was a great outlet for his teammates.

If The Reds are really going to challenge for the main titles during this campaign then obviously the star players will need to be scoring and creating. But Klopp will also need consistent performers that will give their all for the shirt and he has them in Andrew Robertson and James Milner!

Posted on August 12th, 2018 by scott
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