A good day at the office. Swansea are brutal but at least that meant Liverpool couldn’t ruin our Christmas. A professional and ruthless dispatchment of the Welsh side is all we could have asked for and that is exactly what we got.
Here’s how I rated the players…
SIMON MIGNOLET – 7
Had very little to do all game and made a good save from Abraham right at the end to keep his clean sheet. Perfect game for him after Arsenal.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 9
Surely this guy can’t stay at right-back for too much longer. Showcased his superb technical ability and rounded it off with an excellent strike to make it 3-0. Will almost certainly play in one of the next two matches so an encouraging performance from the local lad.
JOEL MATIP AND RAGNAR KLAVAN – 6
Not their most difficult afternoon up against a 21-year-old lone striker starting his first PL match in a team who showed no interest in attacking but neither put a foot wrong and both strolled it.
ANDY ROBERTSON – 8
As aforementioned, Swansea didn’t give him much defending to do therefore his role today was to supplement the attack and provide an outlet. I thought he performed said role to a high standard and was unlucky not to register an assist on a few occasions.
EMRE CAN – 7
Was part of a truly dominant midfield. Needed to release it quicker at times and was occasionally sloppy but showed some moments of quality passing also. It’s a shame we aren’t getting a load of money for him but I can’t say I’m devastated that he’s off.
GINI WIJNALDUM – 6
Something not quite there this season. Decision making is quite poor. That said, he and Emre walked the midfield so let’s not be too harsh.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN – 8
Was a bit critical of himself in his post-match interview but I thought he contributed a lot to the performance. Love the energy he adds to our midfield. Extra point for a super goal.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO – 9
Standard quality performance from the Brazilian. Trademark worldie goal and another beautiful assist for his fellow countryman. Can’t be bothered finding this week’s understating superlative. What a player.
MO SALAH – 7
Any game in which he doesn’t score feels like a disappointment now, such are the standards he has set for himself. Could have had a few to his name had he been a bit more clinical and had a bit more luck. Being so heavily marked that space is being freed up for the others. Got his two assists and a 20 minutes rest ahead of the mad three days. Go ahead.
ROBERTO FIRMINO – 9
Another superb performance. Sticking the V’s up to everyone talking about out-and-out strikers. Easy to get caught up talking about Salah’s goalscoring record but this lad has 16 for the season and it’s only December.
SUBSTITUTES:
DOMINIC SOLANKE: 6
Feel sorry for him, needs a goal. Has two chances where he doesn’t do an awful lot wrong but it just won’t go in for him. Hopefully he realises his overall play is very encouraging and doesn’t get too bogged down in stats that don’t really matter when we’re stuffing everyone.
ADAM LALLANA: 6
Came on and looked pretty good. Great to have him back as an asset.
JAMES MILNER: 6
Think he’ll play in either of the next two, probably Burnley on New Year’s Day.
