If there was any doubt before, it has gone now. Beating Liverpool managed by Jurgen Klopp is always a great achievement.
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Warplanes carried out nine air strikes near Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, which fell to Islamic State fighters in 2014. Police chief Hadi Irzayij said the suspected militants “were attempting to flee Ramadi by blending in with civilians”.
But there was no doubt about his second of the season as the winger thumped in a close-range header from Enner Valencia’s cross after 10 minutes. With Dimitri Payet fit enough to play the final 25 minutes, it perhaps may think a serious challenge for Europa League qualification is on.
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One Indian security source blamed the attack on a Pakistan-based militant group, but said it posed no threat to civilians. The Western Air Command chief, Air Marshal S.B.
Klopp was left frustrated at a lack of Liverpool intensity in what proved to be another disappointing performance against Slaven Bilic’s side.
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During that same period more than 15,000 Palestinians and 350 Israelis were wounded, the United Nations said on Wednesday. Police said the motive for the attack remained unclear, and little was known about the attacker who had his face covered.
Goals from Michail Antonio and former Red Andy Carroll condemned them to a sixth league defeat of the season, and Klopp admitted his side got what they deserved. You can’t win a game with 90%.
And with such a hectic schedule awaiting the Reds at the start of 2016, Klopp says they need to be consistently better in each and every game.
Bilic mentioned Carroll’s willingness to press from the front and West Ham did that well as a team. But while West Ham looked a real threat going forward, Liverpool could not make their possession count.
As lightweight Liverpool lost their way, the Hammers twice used their heads to achieve their first double over the Merseysiders in 50 years and leapfrog them into the lofty realms of fifth place – for a while at any rate. Carroll scored from a thumping header in the second half to extend West Ham’s lead.
He headed the ball home after Mark Noble crossed in from the right flank. Twice the ball ended up in Simon Mignolet’s net. It was bad, I told the players after the game.
He told reporters that the broadcasters he had spoken to before entering the media room told him that “the situation with Alberto [Moreno] was a foul” before West Ham countered for the first goal, adding that “it could have changed the situation around the first goal a little bit”. He wasn’t the only one. “Not just because of his goal but his performance; defending, holding the ball up, pressing their defenders, everything”.
Philippe Coutinho, meanwhile, was simply bypassed, a flickering creative presence whose lack of defensive running was a contributory factor in the opening goal.
Benteke’s miserable afternoon continued as he lashed a volley high over the bar. Against Manchester City he was brilliant, but other than that he’s underwhelmed. Christian Benteke nearly profited from a slip by James Collins, but the quick thinking James Tomkins averted the danger with a timely challenge on the Belgian frontman.
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Attack-wise as well, there was no incision from the Liverpool players and surely, the management would have known before the match that West Ham have a very organised back-line.
