Mohamed Salah claims his 50th goal in English football as Liverpool keep pace with Man City at top of the table

Jurgen Klopp once complained his side does not play poorly and win.

It is a claim he is having to refine more often during this most curious start to the season. Liverpool remain a combination of the promising, effective and utterly infuriating yet there they are, level on points with Manchester City and rewriting club records.

Mohamed Salah claimed his 50^th goal in English football to defeat Huddersfield, and by keeping a clean sheet Klopp’s side achieved what none at Anfield have done before. Never in 126 years has a Liverpool team conceded three goals or less in its first nine league games. Have the swashbucklers become the bus-parkers? Not quite, but it’s some makeover. 

As a package there is much to commend as Liverpool try to ensure City do not repeat last season and begin their surge for the title in autumn. That cannot disguise that this win was scarcely deserved.

Klopp’s gesturing and scolding throughout a sloppy 90 minutes underlined Huddersfield’s ill-luck, the home side particularly enraged by the failure to award a penalty against James Milner shortly before half-time.

When the two friends, Klopp and David Wagner, embraced at the end, Liverpool’s coach looked almost apologetic.

“It may be the first period in my life we win average matches,” said Klopp. “There are different ways to win. I prefer the spectacular way, but I understand why it was how it was. 

“I knew it would be difficult after the international break as it always is. I'm not angry, but I think we should expect ourselves to do better. A lot of the things that we couldn't do today was because Huddersfield were good, but when they couldn't do anything anymore, we helped with rubbish passes. I was more animated today because if you are tired you still have to be afraid of your manager." 

Certainly, Liverpool have never performed so inconsistent and won so often in the Klopp era. While Salah again took the glory, not for the first time this season victory owed more to Virgil van Dijk’s composure at the back – ably assisted by Dejan Lovren.

Aside from the exquisite move for the winner created by Xherdan Shaqiri, the once trustworthy attackers squandered every counter-attacking threat, displaying an uncanny ability to overhit, misplace or simply not bother to make the final pass.

In mitigation, this was a changed Liverpool line-up. Sadio Mane was absent because of his broken hand. Roberto Firmino was a late substitute, although even he caught the carelessness bug when he eventually appeared.

Adam Lallana was starting for the first time since January 1. Daniel Sturridge was starting his first Premier League game for Liverpool for 10 months.

The hosts were still talking about miracles pre-match, Huddersfield forlornly pursuing their first home goal since April to swell belief their return to The Championship is not a formality. 

The post denied Jonathan Hogg after he beat Alisson from 25 yards. The linesman’s flag stopped Alex Pritchard’s celebrations. And the generosity of referee Michael Oliver prevented Huddersfield a chance to equalise when Milner looked sheepish as the ball struck his hand three minutes before half-time. The officials did not see it.

“If it is a case luck evens itself out we will have a lot of luck over the next 29 games. We have no luck so far,” said Wagner. “For a lot of weeks for have performed a high level without collecting enough points. 

“I would be more concerned if I did not have the opportunities. We had them. Goalscoring is the most difficult part of this game. This challenge really excites me, to turn this around and make sure everyone stays on board. I will make sure the dressing room seizes it.”

Huddersfield had set about Liverpool with little consideration for reputation, Wagner’s attackers scurrying towards defenders in the manner Klopp normally demands from his front three.

It was an admirable, if risky, strategy, making for a frantic, exciting but generally low-quality game.

Gini Wijnaldum’s introduction at half-time - Jordan Henderson left with a hamstring injury - brought composure and Salah should have doubled his tally on 64 minutes, hitting inches wide when facing keeper Jonas Lossl. Throughout, Liverpool's lead was precarious.

Punishment should have been severe, substitute Steve Mounie failing from close range on 82 minutes. It was Huddersfield’s last chance. They had the right application but lacked quality.

Nevertheless, the sight of Liverpool players running to the corner flag to see out injury time told the story of the evening.

Liverpool are still there, but winning without playing well can only sustain a challenge for so long. 

“The basis is brilliant. Twenty-three points and still space to improvement,” said Klopp.

There is plenty for optimists and cynics to pounce on with Liverpool's current form.

7:24PM

Full time: Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1

Vintage Liverpool? Far from it, and Klopp didn't hide his disgust at the way they failed to put this game to bed, but given the minor ravages of the international break on his squad, the Liverpool manager will have to be satisfied with an awkwardly-won three points.

Liverpool climb to second, level on points (but 10 goals) behind the rampant Manchester City. 

7:21PM

90+2 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1         

Liverpool cling on. Huddersfield sub Adama Diakhaby makes an instant impact from the left wing, but Van Dijk is on hand to clear. 

7:19PM

90+1 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1        

Four added minutes. Schindler's gone up front for Huddersfield. Kitchen sink time.

7:18PM

89 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1       

Firmino's latest trick: slapping a left-foot shot over the bar, with time to spare, from 18 yards. Klopp not happy.

7:15PM

86 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1      

Liverpool survive a corner and spring out on the counter. Suddenly, it's three against two and Firmino just needs to make the right pass...but he can't find Salah. Meanwhile, to his left, Shawiri flaps his arms in disgust.

7:13PM

84 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1     

A Firmino handball elicits the mother of ironic cheers from the home fans and period of pressure from Huddersfield, but Liverpool stand firm. For now.

7:11PM

82 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1    

CHANCE! Cross comes in from the right, Dejan Lovren panics and can only flick out a boot to present the ball to Mounie...but he slashes at it and the ball flies over the bar.

7:09PM

80 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1   

Huddersfield continue to huff and puff, but Liverpool's house is fairly safe from being blown down here. But they ought to have killed the game off themselves by now.

7:05PM

75 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1  

Fifteen to go, and that's time for Roberto Firmino's unique brand of centre-forwarding to make an appearance. Daniel Sturridge was the obvious makeweight, and he's just been booked for kicking the ball away, but it's actually James Milner who is replaced.

7:01PM

73 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1 

Huddersfield make a couple of attacking changes - Steve Mounie has joined Depoitre up front, most notably - so that's their stall set out. 

6:58PM

70 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1

Adam Lallana, who was already looking gassed, is now on the deck with a touch of cramp and some ripped shorts. Meanwhile, Fabinho is being readied to replace him. The Brazilian finally makes his Premier League debut.

6:54PM

66 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1              

Depoitre starts and almost finishes a Huddersfield counter-punch: he slides the ball out to Pritchard and then almost gets to the cross from Hadergjonaj, only for Dejan Lovren to do his job well.

6:53PM

64 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1             

CHANCE! Salah makes a great run in behind to meet an arced ball from Andrew Robertson, controls the ball on the bounce...but puts his finish wide of the far post. Could be costly (but probably won't be.)

6:51PM

62 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1             

Salah has a shot blocked, and is then flagged offside despite beginning his sprint from his own half! That's about the extent of the drama at the moment.

6:44PM

55 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1            

CHANCE! Good cross this time from Hadergjonaj and Depoitre stretches to try and head it back from whence it came, but Alisson sticks out his gloves to pluck the ball from the far post.

6:41PM

52 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1           

Depoitre's flick-ons are now Huddersfield's approach weapon of choice, but Liverpool are a bit too canny for that. 

6:37PM

49 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1          

Sturridge tries the exact same thing, but this time with his stronger foot. The result is only marginally less wayward.

6:36PM

48 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1         

Sturridge receives the ball on the left corner of the Huddersfield box, twists and turns, and then spoons a right-foot shot waaaay over the bar. 

6:34PM

We go again

Liverpool have made a change: Giorginio Wijnaldum is on to replace (the presumably injured) Jordan Henderson. The captain's armband has been passed to the more than capable bicep of James Milner. Off we go for the second half!

6:18PM

Half time: Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1

Not a cakewalk for Liverpool, by any means, but it took Mohamed Salah's subtle finish to wake up Huddersfield and turn this into a proper game of football. By the end of the half, Liverpool might consider themselves slightly fortunate to still be in front, but we may have seen everything that David Wagner's side have in their locker.

45 minutes to go. I'll bring you them all. In 15 minutes.

6:14PM

43 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1        

Huddersfield erupts with injustice as the ball falls on to James Milner's arm in the box, but the referee isn't interested. Moments later, Alex Pritchard pokes the ball past Alisson and into the net...but he's offside.

6:10PM

38 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1       

Joe Gomez places his studs in the vicinity of Depoitre's face, which rightly results in a free kick. Billing fancies it, and he dips a left-footer from 35 yards....just wide of Alisson's post. The keeper was at full stretch too.

6:07PM

36 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1       

Yellow card for Adam Lallana, for some overenthusiastic closing-down of Chris Lowe as the ball was cleared upfield.

6:03PM

33 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1      

POST! Depoitre causes a nuisance, the ball is cleared only as far as Jonathan Hogg who clanks a 25-yarder against the left-hand post! 

6:02PM

32 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1      

 Here's Salah's opener in video form:

6:01PM

30 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1     

The surprisingly typable Florent Hadergjonaj appears to be Huddersfield's best outlet. The right wing-back speeds down the flank twice in quick succession, only for his final ball to underwhelm.

5:58PM

27 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1    

Now it's all Liverpool. They want a penalty after the ball pings off the arm of Philip Billing, but referee Michael Oliver is unmoved.

5:55PM

GOAL! Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1 (Salah, 24 min)

Very tidy indeed. Liverpool lead, and it's thanks to the lesser-spotted right boot of Mohamed Salah! Shaqiri slides the ball through the right channel, Schindler can't get close to him this time and Salah pokes it into the far corner! His 50th goal in English football.

5:53PM

23 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 0    

Christopher Schindler denies Salah the chance to burst through with a superly-timed tackle out on the Huddersfield left, and Liverpool are beginning to stir a little.

5:50PM

18 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 0    

Still waiting for some genuine penalty-area excitement, but Liverpool don't seem to be in that much of a hurry to change that. 

5:46PM

14 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 0   

Huddersfield briefly threaten with a long throw, before Liverpool saunter upfield and initiate some ping-pong on the edge of the box, which flattens Chris Lowe and brings the game to a halt.

5:41PM

10 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 0  

Here comes Depoitre! The gigantic Belgian charges down on Alisson, whose clearance pings back off a size 12 boot and out for a goal kick. The home fans roar, Alisson sighs with relief.

5:39PM

8 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 0 

"Laurent, Laurent Depoitre will score a goal for you" is an optimistic chant, but chant it the Huddersfield fans nevertheless do. Still very much in the feeling-each-other-out stage of the game at the moment. A sedate pace to it all.

5:37PM

5 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 0

Huddersfield having a little more of the ball so far, but Liverpool obviously posing the bigger threat when they launch their counters. Sturridge and Salah linking up nicely enough, too.

5:34PM

 3 min - Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 0

Pitch looks lovely, and Sturridge tries to slide a ball through for Salah, only for the Huddersfield defence to sweep up the danger. 

5:32PM

Kick off!

We're under way the John Smith's. Both teams in their proper colours, I'm delighted to report.

5:19PM

Klopp's vox pop

5:11PM

No love lost between these two old foes

Sickening to see two Premier League managers not shoving each other and calling each other asteriskable things, in my opinion. 

5:01PM

Is something wrong with Mohamed Salah?

That's the question posed by our man JJ Bull. The answer? Well...

4:51PM

Salah-d days

This man is fit for Liverpool today, to take his place alongside Roberto Firmino and - making a first start since November 2017 - Daniel "Danny" Sturridge.  

4:45PM

Retro corner, Part 1

Huddersfield haven't beaten Liverpool since 1959, for god's sake. Anyway, back nearly 20 years to when these two met in the FA Cup at what was then the McAlpine Stadium, and a slightly Patrick Berger-esque finish from Dominic Matteo to make the game safe at 2-0

4:31PM

TEAM NEWS!

 Our man Chris Bascombe summarises it thus:

4:28PM

Wagner's words

Fairly beige, but that's the Premier Legaue for you.

4:21PM

International broke?

Not my words, reader, but the words of Jurgen Norbert Klopp. You see, despite the minor excitement of the last fortnight or so, he's not a fan of the extra strain the Uefa Nations League places on the internationals in his squad. And this is why:

The Liverpool manager will have been watching the international break through his fingers, as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane all reported back to Melwood with injuries, although only Keita (thigh) and Mane (hand surgery) are expected to be ruled out this evening. Meanwhile, just to compound things, James Milner's hamstring may not be ready, so it could mean a full Premier League debut for Fabinho. Not such a crisis after all, then.  

Taking all this with a pinch of salt is a certain Mr D Wagner of Huddersfield, former playing and coaching colleague of Klopp and, indeed, best man at his wedding. 

"I have known Jurgen long enough," Wagner sighed this week. "I know he loves to use smoke screens. I expect that most of his players will be available."

And that will be a problem for 18th-placed Huddersfield - officially the hardest Premier League team from which to pick a stand-out player for a liveblog's pre-match header image - who are the division's lowest scorers, while their visitors remain unbeaten.

This will be a grind for Huddersfield, but not necessarily a hopeless one. Team news in a bit.