Klopp’s steadfast refusal to deploy a flying V backfired here despite Martinez scoring an early penalty. The opener was instantly cancelled out by Alderweireld’s header from a free kick and, despite outshooting their opponents three-to-one in the first half, Martyrs conceded twice soon after the break. Coutinho’s long-range effort caught Ederson flat-footed before Aubameyang nodded home a third, and Sergi Roberto’s sneaky near-post finish turned bad to worse. The visitors’ hierarchy will fume about formations but their profligacy was the real culprit here, while for Halfman three assists for Reguilon summed up a very professional performance.

By Slam Smackfist