Liverpool 2-1 Genk: 3 Talking Points | UEFA Champions League 2019-20

Liverpool saw off Genk and went to the top of the group albeit a somewhat nervy finish in the Champions League Group E encounter.

The Reds took the lead early on thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum, as he blasted the ball home in the 14th minute after some messy defending by the Genk backline. Jurgen Klopp's men continued to dominate proceedings but failed to be clinical when it mattered and were made to rue their missed chances 5 minutes before halftime.

Mbwana Samatta rose above the Liverpool defence to score the equaliser from a corner kick as the Reds once again fluffed their lines at the back for the umpteenth time this term.

In the second half, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the hero for the Merseyside Reds as he scored for the third time in two games against Genk in the 53rd minute, hitting the ball hard and low into the bottom corner.

In this article, we discuss several interesting talking points from the encounter.

#3 Dominant Liverpool failed to put the game beyond doubt

It was expected to be a normal day at the office for Liverpool, and the script was supposed to involve the Reds brushing off Genk without breaking a sweat, with the high profile clash against Manchester City to come in the weekend.

What ensued was a slippery slope for Jurgen Klopp's men, as they dominated Genk for much of the game but failed to score that vital goal which would have calmed frayed nerves. The Reds especially looked shaky in set-piece situations, and unsurprisingly they conceded to Genk from such a circumstance.

In the first half, there were only three touches of the ball by Genk in the Liverpool penalty area, and the visitors only had two shots with one on target. At the end of the encounter, it was a staggering 28 Liverpool shots to Genk's six, and Klopp's men had 72 percent of the possession.

However, the game teetered on the brink of a draw, as the Reds failing to apply the killer punch, with their usually rock-solid defence looking shaky at times.

#2 Jurgen Klopp rotates his first XI

The Liverpool tea ahead of the encounter

With the high octane clash against Manchester City to come in the weekend, it was expected that Jurgen Klopp would do some tinkering to his first team, and so he did.

The gaffer made a couple of significant changes to the team, as he opted to rest the likes of Sadio Mane, Andrew Robertson, Roberto Firmino, Dejan Lovren, and team captain Jordan Henderson.

Genk's tormentor in chief, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, was surprisingly played through the middle in Firmino's stead from the start, and he was flanked by Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi. The Englishman undoubtedly put himself in contention for the next game, with his winning goal being his fourth in as many games.

#1 Liverpool concedes yet again

Mbwana Samatta (L) tussles with Virgil van Dijk (R)

Generosity is a term seldom used to describe Liverpool's rearguard, especially after last season's heroics. However, the once very thrifty defenders have fluffed their lines on one too many occasions this term, and that should give Klopp cause for concern heading into the clash against Manchester City this weekend.

The Reds were particularly suspect when defending set-pieces in this encounter, and they conceded from one of such scenarios. It was the eighth consecutive game Klopp's men have conceded, their worst run under the German gaffer.

Liverpool has also not been able to keep a clean sheet at Anfield this term, and that will certainly play on the mind of Klopp as he prepares his charges for the mouth-watering clash against the Cityzens this weekend.

Edited by Alan John