Liverpool are still winning at the moment, with the media discussing a hard-won 2-1 victory over Fulham in the Carabao Cup.
The Reds beat the Cottagers in the first leg of their semi-final at Anfield, thanks to second-half goals from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo.
Jurgen Klopp’s team was trailing 1-0 at half-time, after a weak first 45 minutes, but their winning mentality shone through again.
Here’s the best of the media reaction after Liverpool’s latest win.
It wasn’t always pretty, but Liverpool got the job done…
The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe praised the Reds’ “sheer bloodthirsty mentality” in sealing another victory:
“This wasn’t the smooth, silky-skilled Liverpool that propelled themselves to the top of the Premier League. The latest comeback, courtesy of Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo, is all about restoring Jurgen Klopp’s monster mentality.
“For much of a match that grew in excitement, Klopp’s team lacked the class and structure that has characterized recent excellence.
“More than any other quality, it was their sheer bloodthirsty mentality that saw them cancel out Willian’s first-half goal, meaning they carry a slight lead into London in a fortnight.”
Similarly, Lewis Steele of the Mail focused on the Reds’ ability to come back in games:
“The theme of Liverpool’s season is a lot like an old movie you’ve seen dozens of times before, the kind that appears every Saturday night on ITV2. You know what’s going to happen, the plot twist isn’t a surprise, but you can’t help but watch it over and over again.
“This was the 15th time this season that Liverpool had lost 1-0 and went into half-time with complaints of sloppiness in defense and lack of creativity in attack. But like the ending of many of those games this season, the Reds triumphed again.
“Liverpool had only lost three of those games, two were meaningless Europa League games and the other was after a VAR disaster at Tottenham. Jurgen Klopp would be quick to deny that his self-styled Mentality Monsters are back, but it’s hard to argue any further.”
Klopp’s substitutions are so influential at the moment…
The Independent’s Richard Jolly praised the Liverpool manager’s tactical adjustments:
“If Jurgen Klopp’s options on his bench are reduced, the Liverpool manager may still look like a master of invention. Three days after the German changed a cup tie against rivals from the capital to evoke victory when defeat called, he did it again.
“Two changes brought two goals in three minutes, another reshuffle brought about another change of fortune. The coach felt like he was the winner of the game.
“It may be of little consolation to Fulham that Arsenal know how they feel. At least Marco Silva’s team has a second chance.
“The problem that you may already perceive is that Liverpool are the most difficult team to beat.”
1 – Despite only entering the 56th minute, Darwin Núñez had the highest xG (0.76), the most touches in the opponent’s area (12), completed the most dribbles (3) and had the Most shots (4) of all time. Liverpool player tonight, as well as assisting on both goals. Exuberance. pic.twitter.com/3kYejjD1Mm
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 10, 2024
On Twitter, David Lynch argued that two substitutes “made the difference”:
“Liverpool improved massively in the second half and deserved the win in the end, with Jurgen Klopp again brilliant in the use of his bench – Cody Gakpo and Darwin Núñez making the difference.
“However, Fulham are still at it and will make it difficult again in the second leg.”
It was also hard not to focus on Conor Bradley…
Writing on Twitter, Steele was very impressed with what he saw in the young right-back:
“If it wasn’t chief creator Trent Alexander-Arnold who he was replacing, that performance by Conor Bradley would win a lot more plaudits.
“Some mistakes, but 87 touches and always a start, he never stopped running, defensively imperious. A very promising future.”
Conor Bradley is 5/5 in tackling and 8/15 in rushing duels. He is like Wan-Bissaka but he knows how to play football.
– Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) January 10, 2024
When asked if Bradley would sleep after his star performance at Anfield, Klopp could only speak highly of his player:
“It will. I’m not sure he’ll make it home, he’ll probably fall asleep in the dressing room. Exceptional. What a boy.
“He has a fantastic character, real talent, maximum potential and he’s on the right team because everyone loves him, respects him and wants him to succeed. He’s really nice.”
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