Liverpool scraped past Carlisle United on penalties to advance to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.
Here are my player ratings;
Adam Bogdan – 7
Didn’t really have anything to do all game other than the shot that went in for Carlisle’s goal. Shouldn’t be beaten from there at his near post. Other than that, nothing to comment on until the penalty shootout, where he became the ‘hero’ of the night, if you will, saving three spot-kicks.
Nathaniel Clyne – 6
Wasn’t bad, but always gets so far up the field then decides he’s had enough of attacking and passes it left or backwards. Good defender but needs to be more adventurous.
Martin Skrtel – 6
Again, didn’t do much wrong, was caught in no-mans-land for their goal, but Lovren left him with no other choice. Had a few shots from about 200 yards out like everyone else, and that was annoying.
Dejan Lovren – 4
Hate being harsh on this lad – because it’s all too easy – but he has had an absolute shocker for their goal. Can’t defend him in any way.
Alberto Moreno – 5
Attacked when he could, and has quietly done well all season. Should be looking to attack more versus such opposition, but didn’t make any mistakes.
James Milner – 4
Wasn’t great all game. Often gives the ball away and his industry in the middle of the park isn’t used well when he commits himself and misses out on the ball. Scored his penalty well but needs to offer more.
Emre Can – 6
Honestly wanted to give him a 10 for that mad penalty, but earns a 6 because as the game went on he tried to make things happen. Tried and failed, but tried all the same. Another one who decided to have loads of shots on goal when attacking became boring.
Joe Allen – 4
Did very, very little. He was tidy, he was in places at all times, but not very adventurous places numerous times. Fresh back from injury so the score could be harsh, but he didn’t offer anything going forward. Tried to press when he could, but rarely succeeded.
Adam Lallana – 5
Wasn’t too bad, used his tricky, nippy feet well and provided a brilliant cross for Ings’ goal. Finds it hard to influence games at times, but his quality is there to see. Good play to have in games like this.
Roberto Firmino – 4
Didn’t do anything. Looks uncomfortable all the way through his appearance, but he was injured early on. Needs to really buck his ideas up.
Danny Ings – 6
Took his goal well and tried all the way through. Was probably our best player, but that’s not say much and not saying he was brilliant. Will be a useful player for us, though, and arguably deserves to be the first forward on the team sheet come the match vs Villa.
Subs:
Jordon Ibe – 4
Too busy doing the same thing throughout his whole appearance. Get the ball, approach the player, go on the outside, never find a man. Still young so I’m by no means angry at him, but he could really do with being loaned out.
Divock Origi – 5
Didn’t do too much but looked comfortable on the ball and tried a few different things, shame none of them came off. Struggled in compact spaces whilst among the Carlisle defence, could look much better against a team will to actually attack more than twice a game.
Philippe Coutinho – 5
Came on, shot loads, missed a load, but improved Liverpool as a threat. His trickery on the ball is nice to see and he committed defenders, just a shame there was always other defenders once he had beaten the first wall on Carlisle players. Missed his penalty, but we won so not much should be mentioned about that.
