Liverpool overpower Huddersfield with stirring second-half display

Liverpool turned on the style at Anfield with three second-half goals as Huddersfield were unable to follow up last week’s victory over Manchester United.

A frustrating goalless first half for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds was capped when Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl denied Mohamed Salah from the penalty spot.

Yet the hosts were much improved after the break, Daniel Sturridge pouncing on a mistake by Tommy Smith to score in front of the Kop.

Roberto Firmino’s header doubled the lead before Georginio Wijnaldum smashed home the third to lift the Reds three places up the table to sixth spot.

Huddersfield boss David Wagner won the first-half tactical battle with his close friend Klopp, but the Terriers were distinctly second best after the break.

Sealed with a kiss

Klopp reacted at the final whistle by planting a kiss on the Huddersfield manager’s cheek, yet there was little to love about Liverpool’s first-half performance.

The Reds were deprived of the services of Philippe Coutinho because of injury while Dejan Lovren was also unable to start after getting hurt in the warm-up with Ragnar Klavan coming into the team.

Yet what followed was 45 minutes of pedestrian football by the hosts, who looked like they were suffering a hangover from the 4-1 defeat away to Tottenham last Sunday.

Salah’s penalty, after Smith had pulled Firmino to the ground, summed up Liverpool’s frustrations as Lossl beat the ball away and Jordan Henderson’s first-time shot clipped the post.

However, it was a different story after the interval.

Smith’s headed clearance fell straight to Sturridge, who advanced before lifting the ball over Lossl for his first goal since August.

Suddenly, Liverpool were all flair and attack-minded.

Firminho’s header from James Milner’s corner gave the Reds some breathing space and it was game over when Wijnaldum smashed home the third.

Days like this have been too rare for Liverpool this season.

BBC Sports