FT Notes: Huddersfield 0-3 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Premier League - HUDLIV

Pre-match notes:

14th Huddersfield's league run:
D D L L L

4th Liverpool's league run:
W W W W L

Six changes for Liverpool after their FA Cup defeat against West Brom, keeper, three in defence, two in midfield. Not really surprising after the last couple of results and Jürgen Klopp's general rotation policy and rhythm this season.

David Wagner made seven changes from his side's 1-1 FA Cup draw against Birmingham, a long injury list not helping the German, but a bold move with just three at the back, a clear message to his best mate, no favours tonight!

I'm expecting the worst, but hoping for the best, don't have a clue what to expect after the last few matches... #LIVMCI #SWALIV #LIVWBA 💩🙈🙏🏻🙈💩

My (optimistic) prediction: 1-2 (cursing myself) #jinx? #COYR ⚽️👊🏻👏🏻👊🏻⚽️

Match notes:

1' Kick-off by the Reds, the ground bouncing, echoing, mad, the French commentators not knowing what hit them. Love it.

3' Mané messes up collecting a fine cross, fails to break past the last two in the process, Firmino picks the ball up, shoots from afar, Lössl has it, easy. First attempt on target though.

6' Chaotic start, neither side settling, the ball bouncing and falling here, there and everywhere, the fans still dominating every and all attention and focus! Awesome!

8' Can loses the ball just as Liverpool looked like dominating and pressing, the home side hit back with some lovely interplay, keeping the ball well.

9' Karius collects. And breath. Robertson breaks on the other side, right side of the box, wins a throw, comes to nothing.

11' Free kick to the Terriers near the centre circle, they're taking it slow.

12' Neither side able to keep the ball atm, give, take, shake, make, break, leak...

13' Milner puts the ball out for a goal kick, no threat by the visitors there.

14' Robertson smashes the ball out for another goal kick, I think that was supposed to be a cross...

15' Huddersfield threat cleared, the only thing Liverpool are dominating at the moment is possession, nearly 80%!

17' KARIUS SAVE! Van La Parra cross from the left met by Depoitre free in the box, right-foot shot is kept out nicely, strong save, the Red defence just watching again, where was the cover? I think I've scribbled and questioned that plenty of times before in much frustration...

20' Lössl collects, after Salah surrounded by Huddersfield players was unable to do much with the ball.

22' First corner for the Reds, Salah won it and takes it, punched away by Lössl, another Liverpool corner on the other side eventually.

23' Milner takes the second corner, cleared, the Reds keep the ball and the home side back, on guard.

24' CAN SHOT curled to the left corner, Lössl dives to his right, keeps it out. Strong performance by the stopper so far.

Over halfway through the half, Huddersfield can be happy the way they have kept Liverpool out and frustrated - CAN SCORES WHILST I WRITE THAT!!! 0-1 deflected right-footed low volley from outside the box into the bottom right-hand corner, a smacker, no chance for Lössl. 26' #BOOM

30' Liverpool with 90% possession over the last 10ish minutes, a couple of chances blocked, I wouldn't say they are bossing it just one goal ahead, but will be very happy having finally broken down the Terriers! The Red fans are now the louder ones, just. Hardly.

35' Lössl collects, most of the play has been around the centre circle, neither side pushing for much, the Reds dominating possession still.

37' Kongolo clears another Liverpool threat, Salah behind him in the box, not far, well played.

39' Mané concedes a free kick, Hogg falling all over him, a couple of yards outside the box...

40' Ref Friend is taking his time, making the marks, whistles, nice curled shot by Löwe but wide, not far off though. The crowd is on fire.

42' BALL IN THE NET FOR HUDDERSFIELD but the ref had already blown the whistle, flag up against Mooy, calm down (talking to myself).

43' Firmino flagged offside as Lössl blocks his shot away with his gloves.

45' Liverpool pouncing around the Huddersfield box again and again, the home side blocking and defending for their lives.

FIRMINO MAKES IT TWOOOOO as the announcement of one minute added on is made. From the tightest of tight angles on the left, right-footed sneaky low shot in past Lössl, squeezed between keeper and post, 0-2.

And that is half time, 0-2. #WOOHOOOOO

HT Stats: HUD 0-2 LIV
Possession: 23%-77%
Shots: 2-7
On target: 1-4
Corners: 0-3
Fouls: 2-4

The Terriers looked to frustrate their visitors, but the Reds are on top at the break thanks to Can and Firmino.

46' Huddersfield restart the game, no changes made by either side during the interval.

Just read LFC have scored most away goals in the PL this season = 30, two ahead of league leaders MCFC (28), followed by CFC (24) and MUFC (22).

53' Browsing through all the tweets, loving it, Swansea have taken the lead against Arsenal, Twitter going mad, not much happening here, Liverpool with most of the ball, not much in and around the box though. Can hear the fans chant Mo Salah, Mo Salah, Mo Salah.

54' Mané header straight to Lössl who only has to make half a dive to his left, Liverpool with 89% possession since the break. Comfy?

58' Milner slashes one shot in from outside the box with his right foot, not bad, Lössl punches it up and out for a corner, which is cleared.

59' Huddersfield are looking tired now, lucky Mané slips in the box and the ball goes out for a goal kick, Liverpool were all over them then.

63' The Terriers with the ball for a change but Robertson coped and clears.

64' First change made by Wagner, Quaner replaces Mounié.

183-704 passes made, says it all.

66' Can cross from the right, Schindler clears for a throw on the right.

69' MANÉ HEADER wide. Not. His. Night. It was a nice diagonal cross by Can though.

73' PENALTY APPEAL by the Terriers, the ref waves play on. Robertson v sub Quaner in the box, high boot by the defender, towards the ball, not the player, would have been very very harsh, right call.

73' Salah run, beats Lössl storming towards him, with a cheeky left-footer from the outside of the boot, into the side-netting. Shame. Would have been a nice one.

Just read the Swans have gone 3-1 up against Arsenal, my boyfriend next to me swearing his face off (a Gunner in case you didn't guess). Oh how I know how he feels. BUT NOT TODAY!

77' PENALTY TO LFC Can brought down by Hogg in the box!

78' SALAH NETS IT TO MAKE IT 0-3 easy to the keeper's left after he jumped the other way. That surely seals the three points for the Reds! ⚽️👊🏻⚽️👊🏻⚽️

81' Firmino on the left, left-legs the ball into nowhere, out for a goal kick, laughs all round. Looking at the scoreboard, okay, I will lay off him...

82' LFC double- substitution, Salah is replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wijnaldum comes on for skipper Henderson, who will be happy with this game after a long time out.

85' Karius kicks the ball away for a Huddersfield throw, no threat whatsoever, his team mates looking at him bewildered.

86' Flag up against the Terriers, Liverpool take their time to take the kick.

87' Ince with a low shot out for a throw, and I just realised I completely missed the home side's double-substitution shortly after the third goal... *quickly*editing*and*correcting*below*

89' Firmino comes off for Solanke, last change for the Reds.

Three minutes added on. YNWA echoes in the background.

The FT whistle blows, three goals and three points for the Reds thanks to Can, Firmino and Salah. THREE POINTS! BOOM!

That's more I like it! Dominance from start to finish, some threats, but nothing to break Liverpool for a change. A CLEAN SHEET!!!

FT Stats: HUD 0-3 LIV
Possession: 25%-75%
Shots: 5-14
On target: 1-7
Corners: 1-4
Free kicks: 8-8

This is exactly what the red doctor ordered, especially ahead of the clash against Tottenham on Sunday.

Here are a few facts and stats to finish with:

Liverpool have lost just once in their past 16 Premier League games, winning 11 and drawing four.

This was the 58th ground at which Liverpool have played in the Premier League - they've won at more stadiums than any other side in the competition (54).

Huddersfield are without a win in their past seven Premier League games (three draws followed by four losses) and have enjoyed just two wins in their past 14 in the competition (D3 L9).

Mohamed Salah has had a hand in 25 Premier League goals this season, the most of any player in the competition (19 goals, 6 assists).

More on the BBC website.

Liverpool Goals: Can 26', Firmino 45'+1 & Salah pen 78'.

Huddersfield Team: 1 Lössl; 5 Löwe (22 Ince 79'), 25 Jorgensen, 26 Schindler, 5 Kongolo, 33 Hadergjonaj; 8 Billing, 6 Hogg (c), 10 Mooy (17 van La Parra 79'); 20 Depoitre, 24 Mounié (23 Quaner 64'). 5-3-2 (not 3-5-2 as first thought)
Subs not used: 2 Smith, 13 Coleman, 21 Pritchard, 44 Hefele.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 6 Gomez; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c) (5 Wijnaldum 82'), 23 Can; 19 Mané, 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 89'), 11 Salah (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 82'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 4 van Dijk, 22 Mignolet, 28 Ings, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Referee: Kevin Friend
Man of the match: Emre Can
Ground: The John Smith's Stadium
Attendance: 24,121

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and SFR coverage.