I couldn't watch the game live, as I had some work as it happens in a town called Southampton (the American one), so I actually ended up reading through the whole match thread while waiting for the recording of the full match to be uploaded. Some thoughts upon watching:
- Saints were more open and attack-minded than I expected; particularly in the 1st half they pressed high in large groups and didn't care about compactness as much as I thought they would. It was a proper test and that's what our players needed; this is exactly the type of game and opponent that helps you to become better in the process. To finish the thought about Saints, I think they would improve immeasurably with a quality attacker in place of Shane Long; out of possession he's a pest, but so many of their moves found a dead end with him.
- The high press was a test, but the way we played through it time and time again showed almost disgusting levels of confidence and swagger. No matter how many Saints players were on their tail, cutting off every possible passing lane, none of our players seemed rushed or flustered and we calmly sliced through the press time and time again. That's what happens when you don't have a weak link in the chain, a mediocre passer that the opponents can shepherd the play towards. I don't think many future opponents will watch this game and think they ought to use high press against us – on this evidence it can be a colossal investment of energy without much to show for it.
- I agree with @Donavan_Ried that this has been one of Ox's best games for us. I really don't understand the criticism he received in the match thread in the first half – bar one bad giveaway (coming in that weird 5-minute patch right before half-time when the whole team bar Alisson seemed to lose their concentration), he was sharp, energetic and influential. And the opening goal he scored was obviously key to swinging the game in our favour. With all due respect, I don't think Origi's all-around game would have been up to scratch in a game like this, whereas Ox was one of the main contributors.
- I think Fabinho is still at 70-75%, but this was already much better. We will definitely need him against Atletico, where the pattern will surely be what I originally expected against the Saints – trying to patiently find faults in a compact 4-4-2 block. Fabinho is a perfect DM for that.
- Van Dijk and Alisson – what can anyone say that hasn't been said before? We're watching masters at work. And Gomez again showed why he's a perfect foil after a couple first-half lapses.
- This was much more like the Salah of his first season – sharp, ruthless and unplayable. Saints restricted his time on the ball for a while, but whenever he did get possession, he did something useful with it. His passing notably improved and he once again had confidence to run into the forest of the defenders' legs and back himself to emerge with the ball. Denied a deserved hat-trick by an offside flag. On a related note, Firmino is back to enjoying his football again. The way they both stepped up in Mane's absence has been great to see, although in Mo's case I think being "the main man" in attack gives him extra motivation.
- Quick run-down of other players' performances: I thought Robbo coped with the formidable challenge of Djenepo well, Trent was a bit hit-and-miss, Gini lost uncharacteristically too many midfield duels and was rushed in attack, Keita again had a strong cameo, Minamino still trying to find himself, Henderson once again sensational.
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