We’re less than an hour away from kick-off, with Liverpool aiming to make it 10 consecutive wins in all competitions for the first time since 2006, when Rafa Benitez was in charge.
The Reds are strong favourites against already-relegated Huddersfield, whose most recent victory against the Anfield outfit came 60 years ago.
If Liverpool win tonight and end up finishing second, they will have broken the record for a Premier League runners-up side (Man United, who registered 89 points in 2012).
Anything other than a Reds win would be a massive shock, with Jan Siewert’s side accumulating just four points from their last 22 league games.
Confirmation of tonight’s teams…
🔴 TEAM NEWS 🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2019
How the Reds line up against @htafcdotcom...#LIVHUD https://t.co/REp2WrcedH
TEAM NEWS with @ViessmannUK: Head Coach Jan Siewert has made two changes to the #htafc line-up for today’s @premierleague game against @LFC; 8pm kick-off at Anfield.
— Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) April 26, 2019
➡️ @karlangrant and Jon Gorenc Stanković
⬅️ @ekachunga15 and @AaronMooy#LIVHUD (AT) pic.twitter.com/qcSX7P9Tn2
0 - Huddersfield haven’t scored in any of their last eight meetings with Liverpool in all competitions, since a 1-1 draw at Anfield in the second division in April 1962. Chris Balderstone scored the only goal for the Terriers that day. Nada. #LIVHUD pic.twitter.com/zPmClItov9
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2019
We’re under way…
LIVERPOOL 1-0 HUDDERSFIELD (KEITA 1)
Huddersfield try to play it out from the back and lose it.
Salah then plays through Keita, who makes no mistake with a composed finish.
Game over after 15 seconds?
Huddersfield have actually produced a decent response to the goal.
Stankovic finds himself in a promising position inside the box, though his shot is deflected wide.
The visitors have also had a decent spell of possession in recent minutes.
Here’s a look at that Keita goal.
🕒 GOAL!! 🕒
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 26, 2019
Blink and you'll miss it - Naby Keita puts Liverpool 1-0 up after just 15 seconds!
📺 Watch it live on Sky Sports Premier League or follow the blog for live updates and in-game clips https://t.co/J1qr8acKqG pic.twitter.com/WZCZJMs1dQ
The ball has been in Liverpool’s final third in 36% of the last 15 minutes according to Sky, compared to 6% in the Huddersfield final third.
Aside from that disastrous opening 15 seconds, it’s been a quite encouraging start for the visitors.
Van Dijk heads just over the bar from a corner.
The defender is making his 50th Liverpool appearance tonight.
#htafc fans losing their Premier League status but not their sense of humour. "How s**t must you be, it's only one-nil." 15 minutes gone. #LIVHUD
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) April 26, 2019
LIVERPOOL 2-0 HUDDERSFIELD (MANE 23)
After nice work in the build-up from Van Dijk, Robertson produces a superb cross for Mane to head home powerfully.
Another assist for the Scottish international in what was a classic Liverpool goal in many ways.
This match already has a carnival-esque atmosphere.
There’s no real tension. It’s starting to feel like a pre-season friendly already.
Salah goes on a characteristic mazy run on the right-hand side of the box.
He beats one defender before being tackled by another.
Here’s the Mane goal, with an exquisite cross from Robertson.
GOAL!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 26, 2019
Sadio Mane rises to nod home Andy Robertson's cross and Liverpool lead Huddersfield 2-0 at Anfield!
📺 Watch it live on Sky Sports Premier League or follow the blog for live updates and in-game clips https://t.co/J1qr8acKqG pic.twitter.com/jdlBqmBauF
Robertson finds himself in plenty of space on the left, but this time, his cross is poor.
Moments later, another Robertson cross falls to Henderson, who blazes over from the edge of the area.
LIVERPOOL 3-0 HUDDERSFIELD (SALAH 45)
Alexander Arnold plays a brilliant long pass for Salah to latch onto for his 20th goal of the season.
The Egypt international lobs the onrushing Lössl for Liverpool’s third.
HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 3-0 HUDDERSFIELD
Trent Alexander-Arnold - both the best right-back in the league and blessed with a better passing range than about 75% of its midfielders.
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) April 26, 2019
Gorgeous pass from @trentaa98 and a tidy little finish from @MoSalah. If Liverpool can bag another 5 goals in the 2nd half they’ll have the same goal difference as Manchester City.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 26, 2019
So half-time and it’s been all too easy for Liverpool, who are on course for their 10th successive victory.
Huddersfield have been poor, giving away a sloppy goal after 15 seconds and struggling to recover since, with Liverpool’s ruthless finishing ensuring their dominance is reflected on the scoreboard.
It’s a match that, more than anything else, highlights the ever-widening gap in quality between the elite English top-flight sides and the rest of the league.
3 - Mohamed Salah has become only the third Liverpool player to score 20+ Premier League goals in consecutive seasons for the club, after Robbie Fowler (1994-95 and 1995-96) and Luis Suárez (2012-13 and 2013-14). Greats. #LIVHUD pic.twitter.com/4I7SVmNclS
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2019
The second half has begun…
Wijnaldum plays a lovely lofted through ball.
Both Sturridge and Mane go for it, with the latter ultimately sidefooting an attempt just over.
There’s a brief moment of panic around Anfield, as Van Dijk lands awkwardly on his ankle after going for a header.
It looks like the defender is okay though, as he gets up fairly quickly.
Another worrying moment for Liverpool.
Mounié is afforded plenty of space to run through on goal, but Keita does well to get back and curb the threat.
Meanwhile, down the other end, Sturridge puts Alexander-Arnold’s cross into the net from close range, but he is rightly adjudged to be offside.
Here’s a look at the third Liverpool goal…
GOAL!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 26, 2019
Salah beats Lossl to an inviting ball over the top and dinks it into the net!
📺 Watch it live on Sky Sports Premier League or follow the blog for live updates and in-game clips https://t.co/J1qr8acKqG pic.twitter.com/N1CcIEMf2n
Robertson picks out Salah with a good ball.
The Egyptian goes past Kongolo, before firing a shot just wide.
The 26-year-old looks like he feels tonight could be a good chance to consolidate his Golden Boot lead.
Huddersfield make a change.
Mounié is replaced by Chris Lowe.
LIVERPOOL 4-0 HUDDERSFIELD (MANE 66)
Henderson produces a perfect cross for Mane to head home powerfully again.
That means the Senegal international is now level with Salah on 20 in the Golden Boot race.
This will be Huddersfield’s 28th loss of the season, with just four points from their last 23 matches.
The Terriers must be up there on the list of worst Premier League teams over the course of a single campaign.
Liverpool make two changes.
Sturridge is replaced by Shaqiri, while after a long time out, Oxlade-Chamberlain makes his return in place of Wijnaldum.
20 - Liverpool have become the first club to have two players score 20+ goals in a single Premier League season (Mane and Salah) since the Reds themselves also did so in 2013-14 (Suarez and Sturridge). Duos. #LIVHUD pic.twitter.com/hRJfbXDeyP
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2019
Oxlade-Chamberlain almost makes an immediate impact.
He is played through by Salah, turning away from the last defender, but his finish is too close to Lössl.
Mane almost scores his hat-trick.
He gets on the end of Alexander-Arnold’s cross, but heads it against the post with the goal at his mercy.
This has been the perfect preparation for Liverpool ahead of their first leg against Barca.
They are comfortably beating Huddersfield without ever really having to get out of second gear and unless anything happens in the final 10 minutes, they have avoided injuries.
Huddersfield make another change.
Stankovič, who gave the ball away for the opening goal, is replaced by Alex Pritchard.
LIVERPOOL 5-0 HUDDERSFIELD (SALAH 83)
Shaqiri plays a defence-splitting pass for Robertson, whose low cross is tapped home by Salah.
That’s 21 Premier League goals now for the Egyptian, who re-takes the lead in the Golden Boot race.
A final change for Huddersfield. Mbenza is off for Kachunga.
Meanwhile, a Liverpool substitution sees Gomez replace Alexander-Arnold.
Gary Neville gives Robertson the man-of-the-match award, with the ever-impressive full-back adding to his already considerable assists tally tonight.
Salah almost scores a hat-trick, beating Schindler before shooting just over.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 5-0 HUDDERSFIELD
Most goals scored in first 💯 apps for @LFC
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 26, 2019
6️⃣9️⃣ MOHAMED SALAH
6️⃣8️⃣ Roger Hunt (1959-69)
6️⃣8️⃣ Sam Raybould (1900-07)
6️⃣4️⃣ Jack Parkinson (1903-14)
6️⃣1️⃣ John Aldridge (1987-89)
6️⃣1️⃣ Albert Stubbins (1946-53)
6️⃣1️⃣ Fernando Torres (2007-11) pic.twitter.com/2bfcsmUEzb
So Liverpool go top of the league following a predictably easy victory amid a typically woeful Huddersfield display.
The match was a good summary of Jurgen Klopp’s side’s attacking strengths, with both full-backs magnificent in providing the assists for the forwards to finish clinically.
All eyes now turn to Man City, who face a tricky-looking away fixture against Burnley on Sunday.
Right, that’s all from me for now.
We’ll have more reaction to follow and you can read our match report here.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
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