FOR the third game running in the Premier League this season Daniel Sturridge bagged the winner for Brendan Rodgers’ men against David Moyes’ Manchester United to make it 9 points out of 9.
Now the only team in the league to have a 100% record, Liverpool top the table as the league takes a break for international football matches.
This is the third time Liverpool have won their opening 3 games of a Premier League campaign and the first time since 1994-95.
Brendan made the one change to the starting 11 as the now fit Martin Skrtel replaced the injured Kolo Toure.
Daniel Sturridge: Vital for Reds
On the day when the Kop and the whole Liverpool footballing family remembered the legendary Bill Shankly who would have celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday, it was Daniel Sturridge who turned 24 on the day of the match who made it the perfect day to remember as his header in the 3rd minute of the game proved to be the winner and continued Liverpool’s great start to the season.
Sturridge won a corner for Liverpool after his shot deflected off Rio Ferdinand, from the resulting corner Gerrard‘s ball was met powerfully by Daniel Agger who headed the ball into Sturridge’s path and he made no mistake as his backward header went past De Gea at the back post.
Just as Daniel made it 1-0 to Liverpool Anfield Index tweeted this very interesting stat.
“STURRIDGE! Now has a PL goal every 98 mins for #LFC, goal or assist every 80. 11 goals and 2 assists in 10-and-a-bit games! (@AnfieldIndex)”
Daniel Sturridge is the second LFC player to score in each of the opening three games of a Premier League season. The other player being Robbie Fowler in 1994-95. Sturridge is also the first Liverpool player to score on his birthday since Andy Carroll on 6th January 2012 (v Oldham).
Agger and Skrtel: Defensive Warriors
Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel were defensively sound for long periods of the match. Keeping Robin Van Persie quiet is testament to their performance. Both Martin and Daniel made 11 successful clearances and found a team-mate with all (head) Skrtel: 11/11 (4) Agger: 11/11 (7)
The following diagram shows Agger’s movement along the pitch and where he successfully won his clearances.
A fantastic overall game for Martin Skrtel it was like he had not been away, as well as his 11 clearances he made 3 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 blocked shots.
Overall the defensive unit demonstrated unity and a solid back line as these diagrams show.
Johnson: Solid at the Back
Hopefully the injury Glen sustained near the end of the game is not too serious because he played excellently.
6/6 tackles won! The following diagram shows were the tackles were won. He also won possession 4 times and made 2 interceptions.
Lucas: Proving his worth again
Lucas was the interception king during the match with 6 – the most in the game. He also won 4/5 tackles – 80%. 5/8 ground duels – 63% 3/4 aerial duels – 75%
Thanks to @Squawka for the following information graphic showing Lucas’ influential performance.
Final Thoughts
That is 8 clean sheets in our last 10 league matches. 5 straight league wins. 4 consecutive 1-0 league wins. 11 games unbeaten (Premier League).
Simon Mignolet is only the thrid LFC keeper ever to keep clean sheets in his first 3 league appearances for the club. The other two – Billy McOwen in 1893-94 and Pepe Reina in 2005-06.
Liverpool scored the first goal at Anfield in a match with United for the 6th time in a row.
Credit also should be given to Jose Enrique who looks to have brushed up on his passing. He had a passing accuracy of 86% (38/44).
Daniel Sturridge has five goals already this season, at one every 61 minutes played in all competitions he has now mastered five league shots on target this season – more than any other Liverpool player.
Sturridge is now the first Liverpool player to score 16 goals after 20 games. Daniel averages 3.5 shots per goal in the league this season – 10th in the Premier League and LFC’s highest. He also averages 4.5 turns this season – more than any other Premier League player along with Agüero.
Overall a well fought win for Brendan and Liverpool and it is always nice to beat Manchester United and also David Moyes given his previous allegiance with Everton.
Again there should be room for improvement – we either play great first half, sluggish and very deep second half which was evident again yesterday or sluggish first half and great movement second half. It would be nice to see if we can carry consistency throughout the whole 90 minutes.
Hopefully when the league resumes after the international break Liverpool who have been boosted by the signings of defenders Tiago Ilori, Mamadou Sakho and winger Victor Moses who has joined the club on a season long loan will offer the strength in depth the squad needs and gives Brendan options when they travel to Swansea on Monday Night Football.
Follow me on Twitter @ MRSSG
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We are okay with the playing style. A 1-0 win can be a consistent pattern for previous winners of the league. So please let go of the unwise need for beautiful football and enjoy the beauty of a win.
Am Happy about our development…. If only we are consistent, then the trophy is coming to anfield
We are winning at the moment. It is ok for a single goal with top teams but Liverpool must score more goals with other teams. And ahould not depend on Sturridge alone. Get rid of the one man team tag. Goal difference sometimes important as we all know. Show no mersey. As for now,lets enjoy our excellent start. Well done Reds.