A Daniel Sturridge strike -- his 100th career goal -- just after half time transformed a previously listless Liverpool and set them on their way to what ended up being a comfortable 3-0 victory over Huddersfield on Saturday.
The visitors failed to even muster a single shot on target and the Reds even had the luxury of missing a first half penalty through Mohamed Salah.
Positives
The second half performance was excellent. Liverpool looked like a completely different team from the moment Sturridge broke the deadlock. The 4-1 defeat at Tottenham last Sunday will have been a shock to the system for Jurgen Klopp and his players but they have a run of games now that gives them the chance to climb the table.
Three goals and clean sheet was the perfect start to what could be the most pivotal month of Liverpool's season.
Negatives
The first half was absolutely dire but this isn't a day for nit-picking. Liverpool have been having a rough time in the league of late; they needed a win and they got one. Nothing to complain about here.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- Jurgen Klopp resisted the urge to make mass changes and initially kept faith with the same defence and goalkeeper that had flopped last week at Wembley (Dejan Lovren made a late exit before kick-off after tweaking something in the warm up), while Sturridge was something of a surprise inclusion up front.
Those decisions paid off as Klopp was rewarded with a clean sheet and a goal for Sturridge.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Simon Mignolet, 6 -- Rarely will he have so little to do. No shots to save, no crosses to deal with, the only time the Belgian was involved in the game was when dealing with back passes from his own teammates.
DF Joe Gomez, 7 -- Solid display from the promising 20-year-old. It was noticeable that he didn't venture forward very often and stayed to help deal with the physical Laurent Depoitre, particularly in the second half. He was strong in the challenge and very assured defensively, which was what Liverpool needed after a week of heavy criticism.
DF Joel Matip, 6 -- A comfortable afternoon. Did what he had to do defensively and managed to once again get his head on a couple of corners at the other end. One day he might actually manage to hit the target.
DF Ragnar Klavan, 6 -- Came in at the 11th hour after Lovren ruled himself out. Looked a little rattled and uncertain in possession early on but grew into the game and enjoyed a steady second half.
DF Alberto Moreno, 7 -- Combative, energetic and once again mistake free. Another good performance from one of the most pleasant surprises of the season so far.
MF Jordan Henderson, 7 -- Not the easiest game to play in as there were very few passing lanes open for him, but still managed to play a couple of fine long passes that led to chances. Only the post denied him a goal, and in the second half he set the tone with relentless pressing and energy. A much improved showing from the skipper.
MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 7 -- Up until he scored he'd run around a lot but had been largely ineffectual. Came into the game much more after being moved into the front three and it was a terrific finish into the top corner of the Kop net. That's 18 Premier League goals now, all on home soil (for Liverpool and Newcastle). It's a bizarre statistic.
MF James Milner, 7 -- Energetic, intelligent performance from the experienced Yorkshireman. He's waited patiently for the opportunity to play in midfield and he's making it difficult for Klopp to leave him out. His corners were good too, believe it or not.
FW Daniel Sturridge, 6 -- Struggled to get involved in a dismal first half but when a chance came his way shortly after the interval he made sure he buried it. That moment changed the course of the game and calmed the nerves of players and supporters alike.
FW Roberto Firmino, 7 -- The one player in the first half who didn't seem afraid to take risks. Won a penalty and got himself on the scoresheet after the break with a sharp header from a corner. All in all a good day's work for the Brazilian, who was warmly applauded off the field when he made way for Emre Can late on.
FW Mohamed Salah, 7 -- Nothing wrong with his performance but will be kicking himself about a poor penalty miss, that thankfully didn't prove costly.
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Substitutes
FW Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 7 -- Surprisingly left out of the starting lineup yet again despite the absence of Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana. He was lively when he did get on, though, and a start can't be too far away now.
FW Emre Can, N/R -- Replaced Firmino as Klopp elected to bolster his midfield and see the game out. Wasted no time getting involved and made one of two surging runs.
FW Dominic Solanke, N/R -- Another lively cameo from a highly talented youngster. Deserves more minutes than he's getting. Perhaps he'll get more of an opportunity in midweek against Maribor.
Source: espn.co.uk