So finally we saw the hammering we all thought was coming from this Liverpool side. Everything I say obviously must be qualified with the fact that Maribor are a poor side but given the negativity around the club recently, I think it’s only fair we praise our lads for that. Here’s how I rated them.
LORIS KARIUS – 6
Kept hold of a powerful shot early on and distribution was good.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 8
Great outlet for us in games where teams play a low block. Whips in a superb cross and is excellent technically. Deserved the slice of luck with the deflection for his goal at the end, but it was going in regardless.
DEJAN LOVREN – 6
Seemed a little uncomfortable on the ball but did whatever defending he had to do well. Regardless of the lack of defending they’ve needed to do, two consecutive clean sheets won’t do the centre halves a button of harm.
JOEL MATIP – 6
More or less the same as Dejan minus the dodgy in possession part, but with an added defensive lapse that came to nothing. Starting to get into a good rhythm and hopefully more defensive stability will follow.
ALBERTO MORENO – 8
Having a really good season. Seems to have got his act together defensively and his final ball has improved significantly. An assist to his name tonight and could have had a couple more. Has a mad moment in him but we wouldn’t have Albie any other way. Our best defender this season thus far.
JAMES MILNER – 8
Stand in captain tonight and had a very good game. Super ball to pick out Philippe Coutinho to make it 0-2 and was solid throughout. Not a bad option to have for rotation at all.
GINI WIJNALDUM – 6
Fairly anonymous but the way the guys in front of him were playing, he just had to do what he does best – retain and recycle possession.
EMRE CAN – 5
Was sloppy in moments but didn’t do anything majorly wrong and was part of a team that won 0-7 away in the Champions League at the end of the day. Not in his best form and with Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain knocking on the door, he can’t become complacent.
MOHAMED SALAH – 9
Was starting to get worried that he was just a speed merchant but the last few games have proven that he has so much more to his game. Fantastic in tight areas and has plenty of skill to go with his pace meaning he can keep his opposite number guessing. Unselfish to set up the first, lovely finish for the third and couldn’t have missed the fourth. Taken off before the hour to save him for Spurs but could’ve had as many as he wanted if he stayed on.
ROBERTO FIRMINO – 8
Hadn’t been in the richest vein of form before this but the two goals will give him some much-needed confidence ahead of Sunday afternoon, where he will certainly start. Easy finish to make it 0-1 but his header for the fifth was terrific. Classic Firmino to put Salah through for his goal. A good night for the Brazilian.
PHIL COUTINHO – 9
Nothing more than a training session for Phil but he was scintillating. Had so much space and used it to full effect. Firmino and Salah got two goals and an assist each, Coutinho bagged two assists and a goal and he was just too good for Maribor.
SUBSTITUTES
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
Some good stuff, some bad stuff. Delighted for him to get his goal which he very clearly needed.
DANIEL STURRIDGE
Thought he would’ve come on earlier as it was the perfect game for him and Firmino has done a lot of travelling in the last few weeks. Unselfish to set up Chamberlain for his goal but we had taken our foot off the gas by this stage with Spurs in mind.
DOMINIC SOLANKE
Some nice touches. Would love to see him start a game but not sure where that comes.
Up the Reds.
