'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool faced a stern test against FC Midtjylland in their final game of Group D in the Champions League, and could only come away with a point.
The Reds got off to a brilliant start. Mohamed Salah took advantage of a mix-up at the back to poke home the opener inside the opening minute. The goal was struck just 55 seconds into the game.
Despite the early set-back, Midtjylland settled into the game quickly and troubled the away side with their pressing and neat passing. They created some decent openings, but finally equalised in the second half courtesy of a 62nd-minute Alexander Scholz penalty.
Trending
Midtjylland will be happy with the draw, as it was only their second point of the group stage. Without further ado, let’s look at the talking points from the game.
#5 Midtjylland’s proactive approach
The Danish side ran Liverpool close at Anfield, and they adopted the same approach at home against the Reds.
Liverpool gave some of their key personnel a rest for the game, and Midtjylland took the game to the much-changed lineup as they were extremely proactive. They finished the game with more tackles, more dribbles, and more shots than the Premier League champions.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were not able to play out as frequently as they would have hoped for, and a majority of their possession was in their own half.
The most telling stat of the night was perhaps that 39% of the action took place in the Liverpool third, while just 20% of it was in the Midtjylland third.
#4 A tough outing for Liverpool debutant Leighton Clarkson
It may have been a calculated move by Klopp to deploy Clarkson in the Liverpool midfield three against a team who like to press from the front.
The 19-year old made his full Champions League debut for the club, and had to deal with the Midtjylland press every time he received the ball in his own half.
With Takumi Minamino and Naby Keita alongside him, it was essentially a midfield Liverpool had never tried before, and they struggled for cohesion.
Clarkson finished the game with a pass success rate of just 72%, as he misplaced several of them and his square passes were often over-hit or were too behind.
It would be wrong to judge the midfielder on this performance alone, as he is extremely talented and technically proficient. He showed his tenacity as he recovered the ball more than any other player, and is definitely one for the future.
#3 Mohamed Salah’s new Liverpool record
Salah’s goal in the opening minute was the fastest in Liverpool history. But the bigger record on the night was his goal was the 22nd strike for Liverpool in the Champions League. In the process, he became the club’s leading goalscorer in Europe.
Salah overtook Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard in doing so, and considering he has only been at the club since 2017, it is quite an achievement.
The Egyptian international had a good game and could have had an assist as he found Divock Origi with a beautiful pass on the counter, but the Belgian missed his chance.
A return of 106 goals in 170 games is a pretty good record for the amount of money Liverpool spent on Salah. He has turned out to be a world-class signing.
#2 Divock Origi fails to take his opportunity
The Belgian was drafted into the lineup as Klopp decided to bench the likes of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Despite having good support in Diogo Jota and Salah, Divock Origi looked sluggish and often off-pace.
Origi had the chance to score in the first half when Liverpol broke forward with pace and he was found by an excellent Salah pass. He had time and just the ‘keeper to beat, but decided to take the shot with his first touch and watched it go wide.
The forward has been sparingly used by Klopp, and it would be unfair to expect goals from him every time he gets the odd game. But, you have to wonder if he has a future at the club if he cannot make these opportunities count.
#1 An opportunity lost for Midtjylland
The Danish side were full of running and never looked like taking their foot off the gas against Liverpool, which was pretty impressive.
However, the manager will be disappointed that they could not take their chances. Midtjylland had to rely on a VAR decision to win a penalty and equalise, but had several openings.
Some of the chances fell to forward Sory Kaba who did everything but score. The Guinean was one of the best players on the night for the hosts, and had a total of six shots, most of which he made on his own by his cleaver movement and footwork.
The finish, however, was missing. Liverpool found it hard to deal with his presence and drive on the transitions as he completed an incredible six dribbles in the game. Had he found the net, Midtjylland could have had their first and only win of the group.
