Tag: Roberto Firmino

Premier League: Newcastle United 0-0 Liverpool

Posted on by Charles Commins

Nathaniel Phillips was handed a Premier League start for Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp’s defensive resources having been further depleted.

With Joel Matip having joined long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the casualty list, Phillips was included along with former Magpies midfielder James Milner in two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with West Brom as Matip and Georginio Wijnaldum made way.

Newcastle Head Coach Steve Bruce made just one change in the wake of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester City, striker Callum Wilson returning from an ankle problem in place of Miguel Almiron.

Newcastle started brightly with Wilson forcing two saves from keeper Alisson inside the opening 12 minutes and giving as good as they got for much of the half.

However, Liverpool might have taken the lead 11 minutes before the break when Mohamed Salah stabbed wide having seemingly done the hard work, and it took a fine reaction save from Karl Darlow to deny Roberto Firmino in stoppage time and ensure the sides headed back to the dressing rooms with the scoreline still 0-0.

Salah was guilty of another glaring miss after the break and Darlow produced another stunning save to prevent Firmino from snatching the win two minutes from time as Liverpool once again had to make do with a point.

Liverpool HAMMER Crystal Palace 7-0 at Selhurst Park

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Two goals each for Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah powered the Reds to their best ever win in the Premier League, on a dominant day at Selhurst Park.

Jurgen Klopp’s team were on top form right from the off in this one as forgotten man Takumi Minamino slotted home Sadio Mane’s pass after just three minutes.

But despite taking their foot off the gas after that, the visitors eventually found themselves three up at the break, as Mane powered home Firmino’s pass and the Brazilian calmly poked home Andy Robertson’s delivery.

Palace did look to try and fight from some pride after the restart, but with Liverpool in this type of form there was simply no answer from Roy Hodgson’s side.

Skipper Jordan Henderson cushioned home his first of the season from Trent Alexander Arnold’s pass
before the brilliant Firmino made it five just after the hour.

Klopp threw on Salah to give Palace a few more nightmares in the last 30 and the Egyptian’s pass was cleverly dinked home by Firmino.

And with Mane and Firmino both enjoying brilliant afternoons in South London, Salah was not to be left out in final ten minutes.

Liverpool’s top scorer this season stayed alive in the box to nod home Joel Matip’s knockdown before he curled home the goal of the day to make it a magnificent seven for Klopp.

Full Time at Selhurst Park it’s Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 7

Fulham secure shock 1-1 draw with Liverpool

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

The visitors struggled to click into top gear at Craven Cottage as Scott Parker’s team clinched a deserved point.

Fulham flew out of the blocks at the cottage with the returning Alisson forced into early action to save from Ivan Cavaleiro and Ademola Lookman.

And despite being denied a penalty after Fabinho tangled with Cavaleiro, Parker’s side were not to be denied as Bobby Reid fired them ahead.

Liverpool had three bites at the cherry to clear a corner and Lookman calmly rolled in Reid to smash past Alisson.

The Reds only manage to rouse themselves in patches before the break as Sadio Mane headed their best chance over the top.

The expected Liverpool reaction never really materialised after the restart as Mo Salah’s long-range effort was stopped by Alphonse Areola.

Klopp’s team did inevitably carry the bigger threat at Fulham began to bed in for the final 20 minutes, with Jordan Henderson missing an excellent chance.

Roberto Firmino’s cute pass freed the Reds skipper behind the Fulham defence but Areola was on him in a flash to make a block.

But with pressure creeping up and up, Klopp’s visitors grabbed their chance to equalise from the penalty spot.

Aboubakar Kamara handled Gini Wijnaldum’s free kick inside the box and Salah kept his nerve to hammer home.

Curtis Jones also set up a dramatic come back in the closing minutes but Areola stood firm to secure an unexpected point for Fulham.

Full Time at Craven Cottage it’s Fulham 1 Liverpool 1

Liverpool cruise past Leicester City with 3-0 Anfield Premier League win

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Jurgen Klopp’s faced the Foxes without a host of first team stars, with goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, plus a Jonny Evans own goal, secured a vital win.

The Reds just about edged a tight opening at Anfield, as Jota and Curtis Jones forced early stops from Kasper Schmeichel.

But despite all of the attacking talent on display for Klopp, Liverpool’s opener came via a bizarre own goal.

Jordan Henderson’s corner caused problems in the Foxes box and the unfortunate Evans could nothing to stop the ball ricocheting off him an into the net.

That slice of luck boosted Liverpool’s confidence before the break, as Jota extended their lead on 42 minutes.

The Portuguese international has enjoyed a brilliant start to life at Anfield and he flicked home a perfect header from Andy Robertson’s cross.

Leicester did look to rally after the break, as Brendan Rodgers’ side cranked up the pressure, with Alisson making vital saves from Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes.

But Liverpool always look as though they had another gear to move up into, and Firmino wrapped up all three points for Klopp as he powered home James Milner’s corner.

Full Time at Anfield it’s Liverpool 3 Leicester City 0

Premier League Preview: Manchester City v Liverpool

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Both sides have lost just once in Premier League action this season, but Jurgen Klopp’s defending champions have a four-point lead over City.

Pep Guardiola has already confirmed Sergio Aguero will miss out against the Reds, with Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy joining him on the sidelines.

Those injuries will force Guardiola’s hand in terms of selection tomorrow, but he is expected to make changes from their Champions League win over Olympiakos.

Rodri and Riyad Mahrez are both expected to return with Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres set to drop out.

As for Liverpool, Klopp remains short of options at centre back, meaning Rhys Williams could continue alongside Joe Gomez ahead of Joel Matip.

Thiago Alcantara is out with a knee problem with ex City man James Milner expected to fill in.

And man of the moment Diogo Jota is line to edge out Roberto Firmino in the starting eleven.

And kick-off is 4.30pm on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool fight back to secure 2-1 Premier League win over Sheffield United

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

A first half penalty from Sander Berge gave the Blades a fighting chance at Anfield but goals either side of the break from Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota secured all three points for the Reds.

Liverpool looked to overpower Chris Wilder’s side right from the off on Merseyside as John Egan cleared Sadio Mane’s effort off the line inside 60 seconds.

But despite struggling to live with Liverpool early on the visitors were handed a perfect opportunity after ten minutes.

Oli McBurnie was caught by Fabinho just inside the box and after a quick VAR check Berge calmly tucked home from the spot.

That goal injected some life into the Blades as McBurnie forced a smart stop from Alisson and Berge fired just wide.

But just as United were second best from kick off, Liverpool produced an equaliser out of nothing just before the break.

Aaron Ramsdale reacted brilliantly to keep out a header from Mane but Firmino stayed alive to cushion the rebound.

The Blades picked up the initiative after the break and Alisson was called into to beat out Oli Burke’s drive.

However, with United unable to turn their pressure into goals, Liverpool showed the clinical style of champions as Jota netted his first Premier League goal for the club.

Mane did brilliantly out wide to twist and turn and stand up a cross into the box with Jota arrived right on cue to power a header past Ramsdale.

United were forced to go for broke in the closing minutes as substitute David McGoldrick fired over the top before Salah wasted a golden chance to make it three.

Full time at Anfield it’s Liverpool 2 Sheffield United 1

Aston Villa HAMMER Liverpool 7-2 at Villa Park

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Summer signings Ollie Watkins bagged a hat trick against the champions, and despite a weekend of ridiculous results, this is surely the biggest shock.

Watkins got the ball rolling inside the first five minutes after Jack Grealish pounced a clanger from Reds keeper Adrian.

But despite the expected Liverpool first half comeback, Villa stayed on top as Watkins bagged a spectacular second.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were shaken into life by the two-goal deficit, as Mo Salah got them back into it.

But as soon as Liverpool got their foot in the door, John McGinn volleyed home a third and Watkins sensationally completed a first half hat trick.

And there was to be no letting up after the break, as both sides took a break from bothering to defend, with Ross Barkey, Salah and Grealish all finding the net.

The game continued to see saw from end in the final half hour as Salah and Roberto Firmino missed chances to stage an outrageous comeback.

But in the end Grealish tore through the absent Reds defence to make it a magnificent seven for Villa.

FULL TIME AT RIDICULOUS VILLA PARK IT’S ASTON VILLA 7 LIVERPOOL 2

Liverpool Cruise To 2-0 Premier League Win At 10-Man Chelsea

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Sadio Mane was the Reds hero in West London with two second half goals, but in truth, Chelsea’s focus will once again be centred on under fire goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Neither side created much in a tight opening half hour, with half chances for Timo Werner and Mo Salah the closest either came to a breakthrough.

But despite creating nothing in terms of goalscoring excitement, the first half ended on a huge moment of controversy.

Andreas Christensen found himself the wrong side of Mane on the edge of the box, and as just as Mane was about pull the trigger, the Dane decided to give him what looked like a very very awkward hug.

Referee Paul Tierney initially flashed him a yellow card, but after a quick VAR check, Christensen was eventually given his marching orders.

Liverpool took full advantage of the extra man immediately after the break, as Salah, Roberto Firmino and
Mane all combined with the latter to nod them in front.

That goal hinted at the floodgates opening for the Reds, but in reality, Mane’s second was a gift from Kepa.

The Spaniard tried a tricky pass out to Kurt Zouma, but Mane read him like a book, and tucked home the Reds second.

Despite facing a mountain to climb in the closing stages, Chelsea were handed a lifeline with 20 minutes left, as Reds debutant Thiago barged Werner over inside the box.

But on a day where nothing went right for the Blues, Jorginho’s normal hop skip and goal technique came up short, as Alisson produced a fine save.

Kepa did manage to claw back some pride with vital late stops from Salah and Mane, but Frank Lampard looks set for another raft of questions about his Spanish stopper.

FULL TIME AT STAMFORD BRIDGE IT’S CHELSEA 0 LIVERPOOL 2

West Ham fans delighted as Roberto nears London Stadium exit

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

The Spanish stopper is said to be close to completing a switch to the La Liga side according to newspaper the Guardian.

Roberto spent the second half of the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Alaves in Spain’s top flight, after a disastrous start to the season between the sticks for West Ham.

After Lukasz Fabianski’s injury, then-Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini turned to the 34-year-old to deputise – and it backfired horrifically, with Roberto shipping 21 goals in just 10 games for the club, mustering a single clean sheet.

Things weren’t much better post January, either, with new boss David Moyes immediately loaning Roberto, where he shelled 19 times in just 9 appearances as Alaves narrowly avoided relegation from La Liga.

Now Roberto’s time at West Ham appears to be coming to an end, much to the delight of many a Hammers fan on social media, who appear to be glad to see the back of arguably their worst goalkeeper in recent memory.

If things weren’t bad enough for poor old Roberto, some Irons supporters are revelling in the fact that West Ham somehow look set to make a profit on his departure.

After arriving at the London Stadium for free, Real Vallodolid are close to parting with actual cash to complete the deal.

Incredible.