Liverpool Must Build on Man City Performance by Producing Goods Consistently

Liverpool went some way to avenging Sunday's Capital One Cup final penalty-shootout loss to Manchester City by inflicting a 3-0 defeat on Manuel Pellegrini's side at Anfield—denting their Premier League title ambitions in the process.

First-half goals from Adam Lallana and James Milner set Jurgen Klopp's spirited side on their way, with Roberto Firmino adding a third after the break. The scoreline did not flatter the home side, who regularly tested Joe Hart in the second half and pushed for more goals.

There was a real hunger about Liverpool's play, especially in the early exchanges. City captain Vincent Kompany had said after Sunday's final that it was "hunting season," but the only hunting at Anfield on Wednesday was from Liverpool's wounded players, who didn't allow their opponents time on the ball.

Key to this was the number of changes Klopp sensibly made. Three were enforced, with centre-back duo Lucas Leiva and Mamadou Sakho ruled out through injury, while Daniel Sturridge was not involved after playing 120 minutes on Sunday—the first time he'd played over 75 minutes since last October.

The two other changes saw Philippe Coutinho and Alberto Moreno replaced, with Jon Flanagan and Adam Lallana taking up their places. Flanagan came in at right-back, with Nathaniel Clyne moving across to left-back.

The 23-year-old was making his first Premier League start in 20 months, but he set the tone within 30 seconds with a firm but fair challenge on Raheem Sterling. It was reminiscent of the kind of challenge the Scouser put in during the 2013/14 season on regular occasions, and it got the crowd going on a cold night.

Liverpool took the lead on 34 minutes, with Lallana's shot from 30 yards going low into the bottom corner—a goal where Hart's role must be questioned. Even Klopp's face on the sidelines showed his surprise that it went in.

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Lallana produced his best performance for Liverpool in some time—possibly since arriving at the club two summers ago—showing a hunger and desire about his game, benefiting from being fresher than his opponents in City's midfield. 

Milner finished the second nicely just before the interval, then Lallana assisted Firmino for the third—the Brazilian's seventh goal of the season.

Firmino now has seven goals and eight assists in his debut campaign in England, despite not being involved in pre-season, suffering a back injury and being played out of position in the opening months of the campaign. The 24-year-old is an exciting prospect for the Reds.

Liverpool were convincing, while City were clearly off the pace—with eight of their outfield players involved in extra time at Wembley.

For the Reds, they must now build on this performance; as Klopp said post-match, this has to be the model for them going forward.

Klopp

"We were completely concentrated tonight, and for us, this has to be the role model," said Klopp, per the official Liverpool website. "The most important moment of the season is now."

Klopp's enthusiasm for his side's work ethic, pressing and hunger was clear to see on the touchline and in his interviews post-match. This was, much like the 4-1 win at City earlier in the season, a glimpse of the future for Liverpool under the charismatic German.

Now, he needs his team to produce this kind of display more consistently—which has been a huge issue for this Liverpool squad in recent times.

Even during Klopp's reign, we've seen similar impressive results followed up by turgid performances days later. The 6-1 thrashing of Southampton was followed by a weak defeat at Newcastle United, for example.

Sunday's trip to bogey side Crystal Palace—who haven't won a league game in 2016—must not repeat that same inconsistency. Liverpool must go to Selhurst Park and produce again. Klopp will have Sturridge and Coutinho back available, and competition for places is now high.

Per the official Liverpool website, Klopp said:

"

We have to take what we can get, we have to stay angry, we have to strike back in each game for whatever reason we need. That’s how it is. We have only two tournaments left—that’s good news. Losing the final is big, it’s rubbish, but to only be in two tournaments is now really good. That’s what we have to use.

"

Two Tournaments

Those two tournaments are, of course, the Premier League and UEFA Europa League. After Sunday's trip to Palace, the Reds host Manchester United in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

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A performance such as the one against City would give Liverpool control of the tie, and this was ideal preparation for such a big game. It will be ferocious in the stands, and it needs to be ferocious on the pitch, too. Liverpool need to be intense, angry and concentrated.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has enjoyed success on his last two visits to Anfield, but Klopp has a fully fit squad to use against United now.

Meanwhile, results on Wednesday mean United are now level on points with City in the league—with Liverpool six points behind the two Manchester sides. Perhaps the Reds shouldn't be ruled out of the top-four race just yet.

Liverpool's players are fighting for their futures, they've shown their best and worst sides thus far under Klopp, now they must show some consistency during the business end of the season, using Sunday's defeat to drive them on.