Player Ratings: Exeter City 2-2 Liverpool
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Well. How mad was that? Considering we didn’t lose, that was a good little game, wasn’t it? The young lads fought hard, especially right after the goals, but for times between 45-65 minutes it was clearly men against boys. The players of Liverpool couldn’t touch the ball because they had run out of ideas.
A special night for the players of Exeter City, and a night when the Liverpool Under-21 players will learn more in 90 minutes than they will in any amount of youth team games.
Continue to find my ratngs on an exciting and shaky night at St James’ Park.
Adam Bogdan - 4
He let a goal in from a corner. He let a goal in from a corner. He did nothing else. He let a goal in from a corner.
Connor Randall - 5
A lot was coming down both flanks, not helped by the fact that Randall loves to commit to a challenge early. Reminds me of Flanno in that respect. He’s still raw. Tried to get forward early on with slight effect.
Tiago Ilori - 7
Liverpool’s best player on the night. Assured for a lot of the game. It looks tough to see him with a long-term Liverpool career but on this showing he deserves the games he’ll probably get because of injuries. Tired a lot during the second half, mainly because he’s a footballer who doesn’t play much football.
Jose Enrique - 2
Really crap. Really, really crap.
Brad Smith - 6
Brad Smith proved tonight that with coaching and a good attitude he could become a Liverpool first team player. Let the side down with some lapses in concentration to allow the Exeter players in down his side, but he shows promise. Took his weird goal really well considering it was fired back at him quickly.
Kevin Stewart - 5
Not messing at all, there’s no pictures of Kevin Stewart on Getty Images. So please find a generic Liverpool youth team picture. Stewart himself did OK. Was tidy in the first half but allowed the game to get away from Liverpool during the second half.
Cameron Brannagan - 6
Was neat and tidy during the first half and really tried to win the ball back with some good pressing during the second. He was part of a midfield that lost control of the game big-time early second half, but to be fair to him he shown leadership, too. Exciting player for Liverpool. Needs a tad more discipline in his game, which he will no doubt learn as he gets older.
Joao Teixeira - 6
I really liked the look of Teixeira tonight. A lot of movement and class on the ball. Found himself as a big creative force in the first half when we came into the game after the first goal. Faded during the second half, probably due to fitness and his head dropping, which is concerning. Klopp will have noticed a player in tonight’s performance.
Ryan Kent - 6
I feel a six may have been slightly harsh on him, but I really didn’t know he was playing in the second half until he was brought off. His first half performance excited me though. Pace, confidence and desire. Everything this currently first team squad needs going forward. Could be a surprise inclusion vs Arsenal. Note to the lad: stop taking shooting tips from Coutinho.
Jerome Sinclair - 6
Really tidy goal by the young forward. After that he found it hard. It looked a lot at times like it was men vs boys the way he was concerned, but that’s allowed, as he hasn’t much experience. Between now and the end of the year though we need to get him some game time and try and sort his contract out. Tidy finish, he did what he needed to tonight – score.
Christian Benteke - 5
This rating is both justified and harsh. It’s justified because he rarely played like the senior striker he was. He should have been cocky, looking to barge and push the Exeter defenders about a bit. On the other hand, he did win a fair few headers in easy positions and never really had the service. Had a good chance to score but their ‘keeper made a great save. More needed from the really expensive Belgian.
Subs
Ojo – 7. Played really well when he came on, making the second goal and showing intelligence and skill on the ball.
Chirivella – 4. Didn’t do well. He’s a good player so I’m disappointed, but he really didn’t have a good one.
Maguire – 5. I really don’t know about this one. Didn’t see much of him because I was mesmerised by such a mad game. Probably did OK. Let’s say he did OK.