Liverpool make hard work of victory against Midtjylland

It feels cruel that Liverpool’s 10,000th goal, scored by Diogo Jota and suitably in front of The Kop on a European night, was met with silence.

There were a few distant echoes of fireworks beyond Anfield, yet the low key reaction to a milestone goal summed up the shallowness of the occasion as another game was ticked off in this current environment of floodlit fakery.

Liverpool did what they have done for the last three games - getting the job done while looking a shadow of the side we usually see in front of a vibrant audience. Mohamed Salah’s injury-time penalty gave the scoreline a gloss as once more it was the character of Jurgen Klopp’s side which shone as they overcame the early loss of Fabinho to a hamstring injury.

Through no fault of either set of players - Midtjylland can be justly proud of how far they pushed their illustrious hosts - rarely has a European night at Anfield felt so underwhelming. The standard of football was but one facet of that.

Perhaps it was the sound of the Champions League anthem in an arena normally simmering on these evenings that made the cheerless reality more pronounced than usual. More likely it was the sight of yet another muscle injury to one of the many hundreds of top-class players expected to overexert in trench warfare to keep the sponsors and broadcasters happy. Everyone agrees we need the release of football, but the foolishness of so much, so often, is starting to take its toll.

It already feels like the season of the last man standing, the biggest prizes earned not just by those with the greatest talent, but the fewest wounds. 

A week after tentatively hoping Fabinho offered the solution to the Virgil Van Dijk void, Klopp was left searching for a fresh alternative at centre-half. The Brazilian pulled up with a hamstring injury just before 30 minutes, raising his hand for a replacement for the next few games as much as the final hour here. Klopp summoned 19-year-old Rhys Williams to play alongside Joe Gomez, and accomplished as he looks for one so young, the SOS to the absent Joel Matip is sure to be dispatched before the weekend.

Give it a few weeks and every member of the squad may be given a go in the position. For Liverpool’s campaign to seem one of endurance so soon does not bode well. It is just as well Liverpool leave their Melwood HQ soon, as presumably the medical facilities at the new training site in Kirkby can accommodate extra treatment tables.

The only consolation - and it is slim - is the English champions are not alone with their expanding casualty list.   Klopp and others predicted this, of course. There has been no option but to accept the schedule, otherwise they will appear discourteous or ungrateful. That cannot disguise the fact these fixtures have been crammed into the calendar like tinned sardines.

This stadium and these games without supporters are hollow enough, but on a European night? Truly dispiriting.

No wonder Klopp is planning three or four games ahead. He probably had the trip to Manchester City in 12 days time on his mind with his initial team selection, leaving out his senior front three. As the first half passed without a shot on the Danes’ goal it was only a matter of time before all were introduced. Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were all on the pitch by the end.

Midtjylland realised swiftly the badge on the shirt did not correspond much to the quality of home performance. The visitors should have led after three minutes when Alexander Scholz’s 40 yard pass dissected Liverpool’s defence, sending Anders Dreyer one-on-one with Alisson.

Fortunately for Liverpool, the Brazilian is rarely beaten easily and blocked the shot.

The 2019 Champions League winners were disjointed. The passing did not penetrate, the touches were unsure, and until half-time - aside from the occasional spark from Xherdan Shaqiri - imagination absent.

But just as Klopp was calling Salah and Mane, Liverpool scored. Shaqiri, increasingly influential, cleverly picked out the overlapping Trent Alexander-Arnold, and he found Jota for the Portuguese international’s third for his new club.

The Danes found more impetus in the closing stages and substitute Evander was inches from a 77th minute equaliser. Dreyer bookmarked his evening by missing another opportunity, finding the side netting after showing guile to make space in the penalty area.

Paulino’s foul on Salah gave the Egyptian the chance to finish off the Danes in injury time, as he slammed home a penalty to give Liverpool six points from six.

Every win feels like a toil at the moment. Each one seems to come at a cost. But Liverpool are still winning.

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09:52 PM

FULL TIME

And that's the end of the game. A 2-0 scoreline makes this sound a lot easier than it actually was - had Dreyer scored that one v one, the headlines would be completely different.

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09:50 PM

GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLL

Salah picks the ball up and belts it into the back of the net. That's the game!

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09:49 PM

PENALTY

Liverpool go up the other end, Salah gets the wrong side of the last man and is brought down inside the area. Clear penalty.

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09:48 PM

90 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

HOW HAS HE MISSED!?!!??!? That was the chance! Midtjylland should be equal as Dreyer completely bins Gomez with a lovely drag of the ball and turn of pace, only has Alisson to beat inside the area. He tries to lift the ball over him, flicking it into the side netting with the goal gaping. So close. 

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09:46 PM

89 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

Alexander-Arnold sets up Firmino for a chance he should be scoring from every single time he gets it, but the forward leans back and lifts it into the sky from 12 yards out. That should have been 2-0 and game over. 

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09:46 PM

88 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

The game is almost over and Liverpool have still only had one shot on target. A poor performance by them? Or an excellent defensive display from their visitors? Obviously the answer is a bit of both. 

It's not been particularly hard for Liverpool tonight but when Klopp's teams don't play with maximum intensity the system doesn't work quite as well as it's supposed to and I think tonight's been an example of that. Liverpool are supposed to swarm, smother and suffocate you. This XI has given Midtjylland a slightly overly long cuddle.

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09:43 PM

85 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

OooooOoOooOh that might have been the chance. Midtjylland work their way up the right wing and manage to get a cross into the area. The striker is unmarked, finding it a little too easy to jump in space between the centre-backs, but punts his header miles wide, almost as though the ball's come off he side of his head.

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09:40 PM

82 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

Salah has a chance to run with the ball and a bit of space too, shifting onto his left foot and bending a shot towards the far corner, but with way too much lift and power.

Jota goes off, Firmino comes on. Klopp wants more attacking threat to prevent Midtjylland from piling on the pressure in their search for an equaliser.

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09:36 PM

79 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

THERE'S A SHOT! Ooooh that is close to an equaliser.  A cross into the area, Evander miscontrols but can spin and fire a shot which fizzes wide of the post. Alisson might have been beaten.

Klopp has told Firmino to get ready to come on now. 

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09:35 PM

76 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

Midtjylland still playing some nice stuff, keeping the ball, Liverpool trapped in their own half... but they just can't quite find a way to get a shot on goal. There's still time though!

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09:31 PM

73 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

Midtjylland's lack of star players is starting to show. Off the ball they're great, organised, solid shape, hard working and pressing where needed, but they've made poor passes through midfield, lost control a couple of times and Anderson's attempt at a cross just now has largely summed it up, booting a ball far too hard, way too high and nowhere near his teammates.

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09:27 PM

70 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

Wijnaldum has been great since coming on and has just driven a move all on his own, dribbling at pace through the middle of the pitch. Shaqiri gets on it on the edge of the box, goes past a one defender with a great little trick and sharp turn but is tackled by the next.

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09:24 PM

67 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

Here's a stat for you:

• Diogo Jota’s goal was Liverpool’s 10,000th scored in their history in all competitions, coming 128 years after their first, netted by Jock Smith in September 1892 in the Lancashire League.

Not sure how likely it is that will come up in your next pub quiz (to be held in 2023) but it's there. Enjoy.

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09:22 PM

64 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

I really dislike fake crowd noise but cannot figure out a way to watch a stream without it on. Does anybody enjoy it? I'm sure I read it's about a 50/50 split. Not for me, Clive. 

I would really love to hear some fans making some noise in this one, it's very tactical and could do with someone charging into a tackle or run to get the crowd fired up.

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09:19 PM

61 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

Mane and Salah on for Minamino and Origi off. Is this Klopp making a stand? A 'you're not good enough!' substitution? Minamino has really struggled to fit into this side since joining, wonder if he just needs a whole bunch of games or if he suits a different system or different sorts of players around him.

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09:16 PM

58 mins - Liverpool 1 Midtjylland 0

Liverpool have a wee bounce off the back of that goal and are looking to add to it, finding ways to keep the ball higher up the pitch and carry it directly at defenders.

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09:13 PM

GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL

Jota scores! Alexander-Arnold and Shaqiri create it with some brilliant link play, playing one-twos on the edge of the box and setting up a six yard tap-in for Jota at the back post.

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09:11 PM

54 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Midtjylland win a corner and they are clearly about to go through a routine, since the taker has been indicating it for about 30 seconds on his walk to the ball. He chips the ball to the far post... it's headed on and Alisson catches. I think the idea is that they drag Liverpool front post then a far post heads it back in, so as the defence shifts over back to the other side there's a player left in space. Doesn't work this time. 

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09:08 PM

51 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Gomez has given the ball away again with another poor pass. Liverpool rush to get players behind the ball... and just don't look like they're scaring their opponents at all. Anything they attempt has already been read by the Midtjylland midfield or defence.

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09:05 PM

48 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Liverpool are passing the ball between both centre-backs, into midfield, back, wide, back, sideways... held near their own half by the Midtjylland block/press. Alisson launches it and gives possession away.

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09:03 PM

KICK OFF 2

We're back!

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09:03 PM

Half time sub

Henderson off, Wijnaldum on. Not sure if that's tactical or because of an injury to the Liverpool captain.

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09:01 PM

What do Liverpool do without Van Dijk?

Here's some analysis I prepared earlier:

• Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk cover options: short-term fixes, youth players and who they could buy in January

Without Fabinho things are a little different... so here's a bit from the article on the youth options available, not including Rhys Williams:

Youth players

Klopp is a big advocate of coaching rather than buying and said during the summer that this season represents a big opportunity for academy graduates to break into the first team and save the club money on new signings, a lot like how youth academies are supposed to work. There are three centre-backs on the fringes of the first team, with all given minutes in Liverpool's pre-season friendlies.

Billy Koumetio

A 17-year-old French centre-back, Koumetio joined Liverpool's academy in January 2019, impressing in training and friendlies against Salzburg and Blackpool so much that he was named in the first team squad for the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal. He is around 6'2 or 6'3 tall with a powerful build and always seems to have time on the ball... at Under-18 level. Clearly has a lot to learn at such a young age but if given the chance could establish himself as a squad player. That he usually plays on the left side of a central defensive pair is another advantage.

Sepp Van Den Berg

A 6'3, Dutch, ball-playing centre-back, the 18-year-old Van Den Berg has already played for the Liverpool first team in FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches last season, though looked a little off the pace as part of a defence which conceded five against Aston Villa and five against Arsenal. Then again, Van Dijk played in a team which let in seven against Aston Villa less than three weeks ago.

Nathaniel Phillips

At 23-years-old, Phillips isn't really a prospect anymore but made 19 appearances at right centre-back during a loan spell at Stuttgart (in the German second division) last season and might be considered experienced enough to provide cover from the bench should something happen to one of Fabinho, Matip or Gomez. Phillips played in the 1-0 FA Cup win over Everton in January, starting alongside Gomez.

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08:48 PM

HALF TIME

Not especially entertaining but an interesting half of football at Anfield, where the big talking point is 'what are Liverpool going to do without any centre-backs?'.

Midtjylland have been impressive but I'm not sure why anyone would be surprised - this is a reserve Liverpool team and it's not as if the first XI has been playing amazingly well recently as it is against a highly organised Champions League level opponent.

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08:44 PM

44 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Midtjylland must have smashed the mouse while clicking the "get stuck in" instruction

— Matt (@themattrd) October 27, 2020

I like this tweet but I also don't think Midtjylland have been particularly dirty. They're getting at Liverpool and more than holding their own - it's an even game - but suspect were Klopp to send on any of his usual forward three that things might change quite quickly. 

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08:41 PM

41 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Shaqiri has started getting more involved since Williams came on, almost as though he's realised that kids from the youth team are able to make the starting XI but he, a star of a couple of international tournaments, can't.

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08:40 PM

38 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Williams goes back post but the ball is slotted wide of the post by Jota just before it reaches him. 

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08:38 PM

37 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

So here's a little of what I now know about Rhys Williams. He's 19, has been at Liverpool since 2011, spent last season on loan at Kidderminster Harriers, and has been capped at U18, U19 and U21 level with England.

He's not massively highly rated by the Football Manager database as far as I can tell, which obviously does not mean that he's not hugely talented, but is generally a pretty good guide. I mean, he's good enough to get in a Klopp squad for a Champions League match. 

Understandably he looks a little nervous so far, making safe short passes to whoever is closest, but hopefully as the game goes on he'll gain confidence. He's up now for a corner.

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08:35 PM

34 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Henderson is left in a heap on the floor by Cajuste, who leaps in from behind while trying to win the ball. "He doesn't need to make that challenge!" says McManaman but yes he does, because he's playing Liverpool, and if he'd managed to steal that ball he might have had a run on goal!

Cajuste is booked for the foul, Henderson is fine.

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08:31 PM

31 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Bad news, Liverpool fans! Fabinho is worked on by the physio but his game is over. A replay shows that his hamstring has gone PING as he runs back with the defensive line.

His replacement is 19-year-old Rhys Williams, who I've never seen play before. Gomez goes across tot alk to him immediately... and he's been caught out of position already as he hesitates to react to a loose ball that bounces near him.

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08:28 PM

30 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Uh oh spaghetti-ohs. Fabinho has gone down off the ball with what might be a muscle injury. He's shaking his head and does not pleased. 

Klopp used to play in defence - I wonder if he fancies a game?

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08:28 PM

28 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Liverpool take their time, Henderson joins the passing move and one through-ball into Minamino opens up the defence! The forward takes the ball while running but his first touch takes it too close to the goalkeeper, who is able to smother. 

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08:26 PM

25 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Liverpool are looking to hit early balls over the top to a runner if they can, which is another reason Midtjylland are dropping slightly deeper as the half goes on. 

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08:24 PM

22 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Liverpool starting to creep into the game. Midtjylland's early pressure has dropped a lot and as they stop using all their energy trying to win the ball high up the pitch, they're now blocking closer to their own goal, inviting Liverpool onto them.

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08:20 PM

19 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Scholz is booked for bringing down Jota just as Midtjylland turnover possession in a dangerous part of the pitch. The free-kick is a good 35/40 yards out so you'd think that Alexander-Arnold won't have a dig...

He chips it straight out for a goal kick.

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08:17 PM

16 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Liverpool not really playing at the level we've come to expect but that's what happens when all your best players (Mane, Salah, Firmino) are on the bench. The away team are forcing mistakes, keeping the ball well.... or they were until a rushed pass forwards hands possession back. Basically, the game is fairly even. 

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08:14 PM

13 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Gomez's passing has been off so far tonight, punting a few long passes out wide straight into the stands. 

Origi tries to trick his way past a challenge, then sprint past another and goes down, spinning a few times and clutching his ankle. This free-kick should give Liverpool a chance to get the ball in the box... but it's cleared.

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08:10 PM

10 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

It turns out these rubbish little pointless Danes are actually really good and Liverpool are being made to work here. 

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08:08 PM

7 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

Midtjylland have a throw-in wide right near the box, I'm pretty sure it's a foul throw but play continues, and Milner commits a foul on the corner of the area. Midtjylland lining up a cross into the area... and it's a clever low through-ball to the near post! Everyone thinks it's being hooked it in but that ball nearly caught the defence out. Alisson gathers.

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08:03 PM

4 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

And wouldn't you know it, Midtjylland almost score! A long ball over the top puts the striker in on goal and it takes a great save from Alisson to deny the visitors an early lead. 

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08:03 PM

3 mins - Liverpool 0 Midtjylland 0

All the pundits we've heard from on TV so far have suggested that this game is pointless because Liverpool will easily win it and the way they've dismissed the Danes has forced me to breathe deep and remain neutral. I don't want any of these teams to win. But if I could pick one, based on the pre-match build-up, it would be Midtjylland.

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08:00 PM

KICK OFF

Two teams, one throw-in coach. Here we go!

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07:57 PM

Here come the teams

The big challenge tonight though is, as we all know, how often I can type Midtjylland and spell it correctly first time. Good luck to me, and the footballers.

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07:53 PM

Jurgen Klopp seems relaxed

The Liverpool manager's pre-match interview is as predictable as you'd imagine but he does point out that he has a squad and all the players need games, which helps explain Shaqiri's inclusion. His best line is:

"It's Tuesday night, it's Champions League, we are ready, we are here."

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07:30 PM

Jurgen Klopp loves Lallana

"Wow! What a player, what a person, what a guy. I don't have enough time to praise you but one of the best I've ever worked with."

Strong praise indeed from the Liverpool manager, who Lallana has just described as very intense. 

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07:21 PM

Adam Lallana on BT Sport

He seems like a nice lad, quite quiet. He's also just described the Anfield crowd as "literally" being the 12th man. That's not what literally means, my friend. 

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07:06 PM

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06:44 PM

Starting lineups

Some surprises in here... Alisson is ready to start and Xherdan Shaqiri is in the first XI! Well blow me down.

 I think this may be a 4-2-3-1, a system we might see a lot more of going forward. Klopp has flipped between that and a 4-3-3 at his other clubs too so it's not exactly an experiment.

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06:25 PM

Jurgen Klopp likes the way Midtjylland roll

Good evening! It's the Champions League without fans at Anfield, a game which every TV director in the world uses to get atmospheric shots of the crowd singing YNWA but instead the stands remain empty and silent. It's been absolutely fine watching games without supporters making noise but if you're anything like me, the novelty has worn very thin. Please let people back into stadiums. Please.

Another big night awaits 👊🔴#LIVFCM | #UCL pic.twitter.com/usCm4ftGiR

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 27, 2020

Liverpool are dealing with other difficulties like an absent goalkeeper and an injured centre-back, plus Midtjylland are a tricky team. Underestimate them at your peril! 

Here's what Jurgen Klopp's being saying ahead of the match:

"Ladies and gentlemen, you Danish guys need to work on your confidence. We don't see you as a small club, we see you as a proper challenger in this group.

"Nobody is part of the group because they are nice cities or whatever, they are there because they are a good football team.

"They earned the right to be in the Champions League in the season before and Midtjylland, after an impressive comeback against Brondby, are now [joint] top of the table so it means they are good again.

"They won't wave the white flag. They will be here and give everything they can.

"There are no small teams in the Champions League. How small or big you are is shown on the pitch, not in any press conferences before."

"What it shows about football is a lot of things are possible if you think quicker or differently from other people. If you try things in a different way, you can make big jumps.

"In Denmark, the Copenhagen teams used to be the main teams and this team is disturbing that a little bit. They have all my respect."

Both clubs share the infamous throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark, who also used to do sessions at group rival Ajax.

"We saw the influence of Thomas when we watched Midtjylland in the analysis but it was a pretty silent week.

"Thomas is 100 per cent professional and we don't ask him what they do and he would not give Midtjylland the answers.

"He's a super guy and helped us a lot.

"Throw-ins are a big part of our preparation but it's not the only part so we have to think about a lot of things.

"We know they will not make a lot of mistakes around throw-ins. They will have their routines, like we have a few. We just have to make sure we can use ours and deny theirs."