Liverpool continued to march on with yet another win in the Premier League. They beat Burnley, comfortably, 2-0. Here are my player ratings.
PLAYER RATINGS
Simon Mignolet (6/10)
Mignolet came for crosses well, which is an ever improving aspect of his game. Before his massive rise in form – it was a real concern. However, it’s now looking at a feature of his game that he is very comfortable with. He didn’t have much to do, but when he was called upon, he was solid. Another clean sheet.
Emre Can (7.8/10)
Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. He’s a joy to watch. A proper footballer. One stage in the game he actually tackled someone by doing a Cruyff turn. He was brilliant in the air – which is a part of his game that has improved, it seems. He finished the game as a right wing-back and his energy both forward and tracking back was admirable. The Kop ended up chanting the German’s name – which must have been wonderful from a personal point of view.
Martin Skrtel (7/10)
I thought Skrtel was very good again. A real consistent figure in the Liverpool side as it stands and one who has to be in there. Burnley did put a few balls into the box which he had to deal with and he dealt with them well. He was good on the ball as the Reds had it for very long durations of the game, at times. Solid from the Slovak.
Dejan Lovren (6.5/10)
Again – slow and steady improvement from Lovren. The nervousness is gradually going, it appears. However, there was one moment where he wasn’t necessarily nervous but a bit too calm and not as aware as he should have been. It was the pass back to Mignolet and the ‘keeper had to put it behind for a corner. Apart from that, good from Lovren. There were a few instances where he switched a 50 yard ball to Raheem Sterling on the opposite side. Sign of growing confidence? Let’s hope so.
Raheem Sterling (6.8/10)
Sterling played in a role that he has played before, but not often. He took on the right wing-back role as Lazar Markovic dropped to the bench. He did well – he caused Burnley’s left-back, Ben Mee, problems all night. The drop of the shoulder to his right foot in order to get in a cross was frequent and seemed to work every time. Sterling eventually switched sides, went up top on his own before being subbed off for Rickie Lambert.
Alberto Moreno (6.4/10)
Moreno’s good run of form continued. It was a real solid performance from the Spaniard. He defended very well and his passing seems to have improved. It’s always been good, but at times he was guilty of sloppy and careless passes. But that seems to have been removed from his game in recent weeks. He was substituted towards the end of the game for Kolo Toure.
Jordan Henderson (8.2/10) – Man of the Match
Henderson is looking the real deal as the skipper now. The Reds are still unbeaten when Henderson is wearing the armband. 13 games, 10 wins and 3 draws. Remarkable record. Tonight, he was exceptional – best player on the pitch without a doubt, for me. His goal was sublime. A lovely taken half volley on the edge of the box – two in two for Henderson now. He also provided the assist for the other goal, with a fantastically weighted lofted through ball, which put it on a plate for Sturridge. Energy levels, as always, were superb and helps in the late stages of the game when the game is being seen out. He looks like the man who can take the club forward as captain, definitely.
Joe Allen (7.5/10)
Allen was very, very good on Sunday and it continued today with another splendid performance from the Welsh international. Him and Henderson look like a partnership that could have a huge impact on our future with this formation – like the Lucas and Henderson combination did, too. Allen looks a lot more comfortable on the ball than he has done in the past and his passing forward into the likes of Lallana and Coutinho allows the technically superior players to show their magic. Very good.
Philippe Coutinho (7.2/10)
Coutinho didn’t quite reach the heights of his performance on Sunday. He was good, though. One time in the first-half, just after the opener from Henderson, pretty much everyone thought he had reproduced the goal he scored against City. The ball appeared to have hit the top corner, just wide, though. He was instrumental in the build-up to Henderson’s goal, with a typical run and shot – which was blocked to Henderson. Good performance from the Brazilian.
Adam Lallana (6.9/10)
I thought Lallana was good, not as good as Sunday, but good. It looks like he has firmly settled in as a Liverpool player now, though. He looks a lot more comfortable and the crowd were definitely appreciating his performance. His touch is unbelievable, I don’t think he knows how to touch the ball if it’s not on the spin. It’s fantastic. One stage where he pulled off an amazing dummy and completely sold a defender, but was unlucky with the blocked attempt at goal.
Daniel Sturridge (7.2/10)
Sturridge looked really rusty yet again. It’s not too much of a concern, it should just come with more minutes. It was massive that he got his goal, absolutely massive. Before that, the crowd appeared to be getting on his back as he gave away the ball a fair few times. His goal, though, made up for it. He took his goal really well. A really good run and a excellently taken header from Liverpool’s talisman. He could have had a couple more if it wasn’t such a good performance from Tom Heaton in Burnley’s goal.
SUBSTITUTES
Kolo Toure (6/10)
Toure came on and did well. Hepassed the ball confidently and defended anything that came his way in fine style. Solid.
Glen Johnson (4.8/10)
Johnson wasn’t on for long, but still managed to frustrate the crowd! He gave the ball away two times, one time where he didn’t even look up to who he was passing it to. Sloppy from Johnson but it wasn’t costly, so it’s all good.
Rickie Lambert (N/A)
He wasn’t on for long enough and honestly can’t remember him having a touch!
PICK YOUR RATINGS BELOW
[statsfc-player-rater key=”n3hIsXGmdJ6AnSMKzUo6i09cnqzZIPNpYYb7QNmF” team=”Liverpool” date=”2015-03-04″]
