Darwin Nunez:
A lot for ‘the brand new Andy Carroll’. With every passing sport, such childish comparisons look ever extra absurd. Nunez is now solely two objectives shy of Carroll’s tally for Liverpool, his first-half brace taking him to 9 in all competitions. That they’ve are available solely 9 begins (18 appearances whole), tells you all the things concerning the Uruguayan’s high quality and, maybe extra importantly, his potential. The 23-year-old is an absolute magnet for probabilities – he’s averaging greater than six photographs a sport thus far – and he took two of the three that got here his manner right here, volleying in along with his left foot from Elliott’s astute pick-out for 2-1, earlier than arriving completely to slip dwelling Robertson’s low cross for his second. Simply as spectacular, although, had been the indicators that his all-round sport, criticised harshly throughout the early weeks of the season, is bettering. Right here, Nunez did not simply appear like a goalscorer or a chaos-bringer. He regarded like a £64m footballer. His excellent, swept cross from the left ought to have introduced a aim for Salah, whereas his beautiful backheel opened up an opportunity for Firmino. There was a crossfield diagonal from left to proper onto Salah’s chest, a present of power and a Cruyff-turn to evade Romeo Lavia in midfield, and positively sufficient urgent and monitoring to earn the appreciation of the Kop. They chanted his title when he went off, three minutes from time. Job performed. Subsequent cease Qatar. You would not need to be going through Uruguay, on this proof.
Andy Robertson:
If you happen to ever wanted a reminder, right here it was. Andy Robertson is, and stays, an absolute class act. With two assists within the first half, the Reds left-back secured himself one other little bit of historical past. Solely Leighton Baines within the Premier League period has created as many objectives as a defender. Fifty-three assists is an absurd quantity, and speaks to the Scot’s consistency, in addition to his high quality. His first right here was a set-piece, a free-kick whipped in from the suitable which Firmino did beautifully to information dwelling along with his head. His second was basic Robertson; too sharp for Southampton’s defence and capable of get in behind onto Firmino’s cross, earlier than proving the right fizzed low cross for Nunez to transform. He too acquired a terrific ovation when substituted. No World Cup for him, sadly, however indicators in latest weeks that he is getting again in the direction of high kind for his membership.
Roberto Firmino:
Six minutes was all it took to reveal the folly of Brazil’s World Cup choice. Firmino had been devastated to overlook out on Tite’s 26-man squad for Qatar when it was introduced this week, however when you had been questioning if he would possibly let it have an effect on his efficiency right here, you needn’t have fearful. His early header acquired Liverpool up and operating, and it was an outstanding one too, guided subtly into the far nook from 15 yards. He had a giant hand within the Reds’ third aim too, sliding in Robertson down the left with a stunning cross contained in the full-back. He is had a very good begin to the season, Firmino. Like Nunez, he has 9 objectives in all competitions, though seven of the Brazilian’s have come within the Premier League. It wasn’t sufficient to get him to Qatar, nevertheless it might be sufficient to offer Liverpool meals for thought close to his contract, which is because of expire on the finish of the season.