Finally, I can rate the Liverpool lads after a win for the first time in nearly a month!
The Redmen once again were the much better side without being able to kill the game off but the difference this time was that the defence held firm and we saw the game out.
A string of horrendous refereeing decisions from the shambolic Anthony Taylor meant Liverpool went into half-time with only a one goal advantage but Jordan Henderson’s goal after the break was enough to see off the Foxes, just!
Here’s how I rated our boys:
SIMON MIGNOLET – 7
A pretty up and down game for Mignolet. Nearly gifted Shinji Okazaki an equaliser by dallying on the ball but he was clearly fouled for Leicester’s first goal after he made an incredible save from the previous play. Mades a great save from Demari Gray for their second only to concede from the rebound. For the penalty, I have no idea why he goes for the ball with his feet as if it was a back pass but he made amends with a super save from the spot. In the end, he won us the game so deserves at least a seven despite some dodgy moments.
JOE GOMEZ – 7
I know Gomez has spoken numerous times before about his desire to play centre-half but I really like him at full-back. Very quick and strong and is great on the ball. Didn’t have a perfect game and got wrong side on occasion but I think we can be pretty pleased with him overall. Shame we won’t have him in Moscow on Tuesday night.
DEJAN LOVREN – 6.5
Hard to rate him. Gave the ball away needlessly on many occasions early on but did grow into it. Didn’t really let Jamie Vardy in behind so you have to say he was good positionally. Should have had a penalty when he was being wrestled from a corner.
JOEL MATIP – 7
Same as Lovren, really. Positionally good not to allow Vardy in behind but also not to drop so deep to invite pressure. Never,ever a foul in the build-up to Leicester’s first goal but perhaps should be a bit more cautious as Mignolet was getting to the ball easily anyway.
ALBERTO MORENO – 7
Wasn’t a problem defensively, which is refreshing to see this year. Some of his clearances were poor but he was fine. Didn’t really get forward too much but sometimes in tricky away games, you do your defensive work and let the lads up front do the rest and it’s encouraging that he seems to have learnt as much. Made some intelligent runs that didn’t always result in him getting the ball but occupied defenders.
JORDAN HENDERSON – 9.5
The captain was sublime and was my Man of the Match by so far. His passing in tight areas was perfect and his breaking up of play and his energy were vital to Liverpool winning this football match. So good at the outswinging cross from the right hand side when the ball had been pulled back to him. Cracking goal too – showed great awareness and intelligence to take Harry Maguire out of the game and then to wrong-foot Kasper Schmeichel with the finish. Can hardly remember him doing a single thing wrong all match and I’m delighted he’s back to playing at the level we all know he can.
GINI WIJNALDUM – 6.5
Had a fairly quiet game but went about his business pretty well. Happy enough with him doing that in games like this but when we don’t go in front, he can be anonymous. That said, he’s a brilliant player to have in possession when trying to see a game out and seems to be able to take 30 seconds out of a game so easily. Gets an extra half point for that.
EMRE CAN – 6
Really unlucky with the long shot in the first half that comes back off the post. Popped up in some good attacking positions but was quite wasteful when he got there, especially with a header from one of the Henderson balls I referenced earlier.
MO SALAH – 7
MisseD a sitter on the rebound from Emre’s shot but how he managed to firstly get his head to the ball for the first goal and secondly get good enough contact to direct it goalwards is beyond me. Took everyone by surprise including Schmeichel. Faded second half but another goal to add to his incredible numbers so far this season.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO – 8
All is forgiven. Great to have him back at his best and have him for another season here at least. Let’s just enjoy him for the year we have him and worry about Barcelona next summer. Lovely ball in for Salah’s goal, who he seems to be developing an excellent partnership with and an inch-perfect free kick to put us 0-2 ahead. What a player!
ROBERTO FIRMINO – 6
Couldn’t really get into the game but ran himself into the ground and still made himself effective by forcing mistakes out of the Leicester back line in possession. Better suited to playing against more attack-minded teams where he can expose full backs out of position etc.
COMMENSTS ON THE SUBSTITUTES:
DANIEL STURRIDGE
Seems as if Jurgen Klopp would rather have had him for the 30 minutes tonight than the 90 on Tuesday and you could see why. Looked really sharp and scared the life out of Leicester. Great vision and execution to set up Henderson for his goal and he was unlucky not to score himself on a couple of occasions. Just about managing him now, not putting pressure on him physically and ensuring that when we do need him, he’s as sharp as he was today. Has certainly put himself in contention to start in Russia.
JAMES MILNER
Can’t really remember him doing an awful lot but he came on after the penalty miss and we didn’t really look like conceding after that so I suppose we can say he shored things up. Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him start midweek.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
Came on and scared Leicester and pushed them back which helped us see the game out. Did some good stuff as well. Sorry Arsenal fans, you’re going to have to wait another few days before you pick on him again.
Two tricky aways coming up which we pretty much have to win but we have put ourselves into this position with stupid results against Burnley and Sevilla. Two wins and we will have revived our season and put the excitement back in for after the international break.
See you again after Spartak!
