Liverpool player ratings: Huddersfield Town (A)
Liverpool were able to get back to winning ways this evening as they swept aside Huddersfield with a 3-0 win.
Emre Can’s deflected first-half strike gave Liverpool a deserved lead after a dominant start to the match. Roberto Firmino then doubled the Reds’ advantage with a coolly executed low strike to Jonas Lossl’s near post from a tight angle, sending the visitors 2-0 up into the interval.
The win was rounded off by Mohamed Salah, who converted a penalty in front of the travelling Liverpool faithful to send them home with three goals to remember and three points to take back to Merseyside.
Here are our Liverpool player ratings.
Loris Karius – 6.5
Made a save(!) in the first half following an error from Joe Gomez, a rare thing for a Liverpool goalkeeper these days. Karius’ kicking and general distribution were also satisfactory, traits that set him slightly apart from Simon Mignolet.
Joe Gomez – 6
The young Englishman had a decent match. In what is becoming something of an issue this season, Gomez was beaten over the top by a diagonal ball once again early in the first half, leading to a shot on Loris Karius’ goal. Despite his aerial shortcomings, Gomez provided good support for Salah on the right side of the pitch and was always available for a switch of play. Made a goal-saving block in the 88th minute to preserve the clean sheet.
Joël Matip – 5.5
It would be difficult to play worse than Matip did in the FA Cup on Saturday, so the Cameroonian’s assured performance should come as no surprise to those in attendance at the John Smith’s Stadium. He did lose out on a few headers and played one pass into touch under very little pressure, but overall it was a solid night out for the defender.
Dejan Lovren – 7
Joël Matip has partnered Virgil van Dijk so far this season, but perhaps it should be Dejan Lovren in that position. Although prone to the odd lapse in judgement that usually proves catastrophic, the Croatian centre-back has been the picture of consistency recently. When faced with two big centre-forwards like against Huddersfield on Tuesday, Lovren often dominates. That was certainly the case in this match.
Andrew Robertson – 7
Robertson appears to have cemented himself as Liverpool’s starting left-back. His tireless running, crossing, and combination play with James Milner was the obvious takeaway from this match, but it is his ability to not get sucked into the chaos of matches that sets him apart from his Spanish counterpart, Alberto Moreno.
Jordan Henderson – 7
The Liverpool captain enjoyed a reserved first league start of 2018. Absent were his usual pressing efforts, instead choosing to sit in front of the two centre-backs and bring the ball out in a calm and controlled manner. This calmness has been missing in the last two games, and the control he brought to the midfield was a welcome sight.
Emre Çan – 8
Emre Çan opened the scoring in the 26th minute with slightly deflected effort from outside the area. Çan appears far more comfortable in a slightly more advanced midfield role now that Jordan Henderson has returned from injury, reclaiming both the 6 position and the captain’s armband from the German international.
Clearly enjoying his newfound freedom, Çan played some delicious balls into tight areas and tested the Huddersfield goalkeeper on multiple occasions. Also drew a penalty towards the end of the second half.
James Milner – 6
Milner played his usual game against Huddersfield. Full of dogged determination and graft, with a sprinkle of creativity for good measure. Liverpool’s vice-captain carried the ball well through midfield but failed to stand out against Huddersfield’s back five.
Mohamed Salah – 7.5
Influential as always, Salah spent much of the first half as the focal point of Liverpool’s attacking forays. Due to Huddersfield’s tactical decision to sit deep for most of the match, Salah was forced to play with his back to goal and did so brilliantly. Scored a cool penalty in the 78th minute to take his total for the season to nineteen league goals.
Roberto Firmino – 7.5
The sole Brazilian left on Merseyside was at his imperious best on Tuesday night, scoring on the stroke of halftime to make the scoreline 0-2 in favour of the Reds. The goal was an inspired one, slotted in at an incredibly acute angle, but the real genius of Firmino’s performance came in the build-up periods of the game, particularly in Zone 14. This is common praise for the Samba star, however, and it would be remiss to underplay his goal scoring record this season.
Sadio Mané – 7
Mané had a productive first half, creating multiple chances, and capped it off with a lovely through ball assist for Roberto Firmino’s goal. Had two headers at goal in the second half that he possibly could have done better with. Expectations for wing production are high at Liverpool right now due to Mohamed Salah’s explosive season, but it should not be ignored that Sadio Mané is having a quietly excellent season himself, and that was evident against Huddersfield Town.
Substitutes
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (83′) – N/A
Replaced Mo Salah, and took his place on the right wing, a change from the central midfield role he’s played recently.
Georginio Wijnaldum (83′) – N/A
Replaced Jordan Henderson in central midfield.
Dominic Solanke (89′) – N/A
Replaced Roberto Firmino at striker as the match wound down.