James Milner needs to start and other things we learned as Liverpool thrash Maribor 7-0

Aditya Devavrat 01:56 18/10/2017
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  • After their dour 0-0 draw with Manchester United extended their run to just one win in eight games, Liverpool needed a result that would stop the rot and silence the critics.

    Nothing does that like a 7-0 win.

    Maribor were the unfortunate victims as Liverpool got their first Champions League win of the season, having drawn their opening two fixtures. Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah both bagged a brace each and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got his first Liverpool goal, joining Philippe Coutinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the scoresheet to hand the Reds their biggest away win in the competition.

    Here are three takeaways from Tuesday night’s game…

    LIVERPOOL FINALLY LEARN TO TAKE THEIR CHANCES

    Much has been made of Liverpool’s lack of clinical finishing during their indifferent run of form. Despite creating plenty of chances, Jurgen Klopp’s men were struggling to test the goalkeeper regardless of the opposition and thus, weren’t scoring enough even though they have one of the most potent attacks in England.

    Maribor proved to be the perfect cure. Yes, they were never going to be the toughest of opponents but scoring seven goals is no mean feat, especially away from home. Klopp will hope his side carries this form into their upcoming league fixtures.

    Liverpool's attack rediscovered their ruthlessness.

    Liverpool’s attack rediscovered their ruthlessness.

    MILNER SHOULD BE TOP OF THE PECKING ORDER

    It’s a mystery as to why James Milner doesn’t start more often for Liverpool. Jordan Henderson is Klopp’s trusted lieutenant on the pitch, sure, but he doesn’t have the range, vision, or general all-around ability that Milner does. And even if Klopp is loathe to drop Henderson, for whatever reason – it’s quite likely that Tuesday night was a case of the Englishman being rested, not dropped – there’s no reason Milner shouldn’t get a starting berth ahead of the inconsistent Emre Can.

    Milner made his case on Tuesday, driving his team forward with his running and passing. Will it be enough to keep him in the starting XI against Spurs on Saturday?

    is Milner Liverpool's best midfielder?

    is Milner Liverpool’s best midfielder?

    DEFENSIVE FRAILTIES STILL REMAIN

    Not that it would have made much of a difference to the final scoreline, given that Liverpool were already 4-0 up at the time, but Maribor should have had at least one goal – and it would have been yet another embarrassing one for Liverpool to concede.

    Centre-back Marko Suler had a free header at the back post from a free kick – sound familiar? – only to head wastefully wide, but the moment showed that Liverpool are always vulnerable. They’re not always going to score seven goals – at what point does Klopp say enough is enough?

    Liverpool just about escaped with a clean sheet against Mirabor.

    Liverpool just about escaped with a clean sheet against Maribor.

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