Liverpool Player Ratings: Spartak Moscow (A)
Not sure how many times I’ve complained this season about Liverpool’s lack of ruthlessness but the game in Moscow completely took the you-know-what. Liverpool must have had at least six massive chances to score another goal.
It seems like bad luck but how many times does it have to happen before bad luck becomes a serious fault in the system? This is another very poor result for Liverpool, who are extremely lucky that they are in a weak group.
Here’s how I rated the Liverpool players:
LORIS KARIUS – 3
Honestly, what’s the point? Say what you want about Simon Mignolet but he saves a free kick that is five yards inside the post. We all know this goalkeeper isn’t good enough so why persist with it? Poor goalkeepers will eventually cost you points and he cost us two points tonight. Time for Jurgen Klopp to hold his hands up, it’s OK to admit that you’re wrong.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 6
Did what little defending he had to do well and supplemented the attack well at times. Could have maybe offered us a bit more on the ball.
DEJAN LOVREN – 8
Given the horrendous goalkeeping mistake from a foul from an attacking player, I have to rate the defence as if they got a clean sheet. Lovren was superb at the back and won everything I can remember.
JOEL MATIP – 7
Played well, comfortable on the ball and gives us something extra when he strode forward with the ball.
ALBERTO MORENO – 7
Put in some super crosses but also was wasteful on occasion. Overlaps really well to open up space for whichever attacking player has the ball on that side.
JORDAN HENDERSON – 9
Man of the match again, for me. Was at his best with his metronome passing and broke up play incredibly well. Put some outstanding crosses into the box each of which deserved a better finish. Didn’t deserve to be a part of that shambles tonight but it’s great to see the captain performing at his highest level again. Hopefully it can be sustained as he is so key to how we play when he’s on it.
EMRE CAN – 3
Thought Emre was dreadful. He got booked early with a stupid challenge and then couldn’t get into it at all after that. Offered nothing and was at fault for the Moscow attack which led to their free-kick.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO – 7.5
Deserved his goal and was a constant threat throughout. Will get plenty of joy in this Liverpool team with the pace that’s in front of him.
MO SALAH – 2
One of Salah’s worst performances I’ve seen. 2/10 seems extremely harsh but I can barely remember a single thing he did right and he should win us the game late on with a close-range header which he put straight at the keeper. Quite how he didn’t finish the Henderson pass in the first half where it was five on two is beyond me, even though it was eventually called offside.
SADIO MANE – 7
Was threatening the whole time again, although you could see the Spartak defence were doing everything to make sure he didn’t get in behind. Offered so much ability on the ball to complement his blistering pace and played a beautiful one-two with Phil to set up his goal.
ROBERTO FIRMINO – 2
Like Salah, it seems very harsh but he was abysmal tonight. Could barely get into it and when he did, his passing and touch were miles off the pace. Missed a sitter from a Jordan Henderson cross in the first half and late on skied an effort when he had so much time. Needs to offer more when he’s having a bad day.
SUBSTITUTES:
DANIEL STURRIDGE
Looked sharp once again when he came on but missed a guilt-edged chance when he came on from yet another Henderson delivery. Had a couple of other chances too but that one was the easiest of the lot. Good that he’s getting chances though. I’d start him at Newcastle.
GINI WIJNALDUM
I would have rather seen Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain come on. We know how little Gini has to bring to the table against teams that sit in deep and by this point in the game, Spartak had no interest in attacking. Emre Can needed to come off but not for Gini.