Liverpool never do it the easy way, do they? Nonetheless, bar a dubious penalty decision, we got the job done late on and a terrific late comeback courtesy of goals from Sterling and Coutinho were enough to see us through to the FA Cup 5th round. Here’s how I rated our individual performances.
Simon Mignolet – 8/10
Mignolet looks a changed man right now, almost completely unrecognisable from the nervous, jittery goalkeeper we saw before Christmas. Rodgers giving him a break from first team football in December actually seems to have paid dividends, and Mignolet has had a dramatic upturn in form. This game was further proof of this, and although not severely tested, he made two or three decent saves and was especially impressive coming off his line to claim crosses with confidence. He was unlucky not to keep another clean sheet due to the poorly awarded penalty. Whether the solid back three has installed new confidence in Mignolet or whether Mignolet’s improved form has given greater belief to the defence is unclear, but we have not conceded a goal from open play since New Year’s Day now. We may still look into the transfer market for another keeper in the summer, but long may Mignolet’s improved form continue.
Emre Can – 9/10
Emre Can was my man of the match here. It was another superb display by the big German who looks to be a frighteningly talented player and a wonderful piece of business for just £9 million. He did well at centre back again, as he has done over the last month, but he was even more impressive when moved into central midfield late on. With Liverpool 1-0 down and in desperate need of a goal, Can was extremely unlucky to see a vicious 25 yard screamer get tipped on to the cross bar. He then picked out Sterling’s run with a delightful chipped through ball to assist the equaliser, changing the game entirely in Liverpool’s favour. I can’t wait until we have the quality of defenders in order to allow Can to play in midfield regularly. It’s definitely his long term position.
Martin Skrtel – 7/10
Skrtel continues to look dominant and assured in a back three. In this game, he won many headers and made some important tackles as usual, but what impressed me most, and I think this went slightly unnoticed, was his confidence in bringing the ball forward from the back. He did this well, despite it not being a strength of this, albeit against Championship opposition. He was unlucky to have a penalty given against him after the Derby player appeared to go down despite not being touched, although there was no need for Skrtel to make the challenge regardless.
Mamadou Sakho – 8/10
There’s not much more to say about Sakho at the moment. Week in week out, he’s performing in every game at a consistently high level. This game was a continuation of his fine form, and despite facing some poor quality opposition, Sakho still ensured a professional performance at the back and was pretty much faultless all game even if he didn’t have much to do.
Lazar Markovic – 6/10
This wasn’t a bad game for Markovic, but he didn’t make a huge impact either. In moments, he burst forward with pace and purpose, although his end product leaves much to be desired. The defensive side of his game wasn’t tested much, and he was brought off for Borini with 25 minutes to go. He looks slightly jaded at the moment and I think he could benefit from a short break, giving Ibe or Manquillo a chance to fill in.
Joe Allen – 5/10
I’m not really Allen’s biggest fan, I must admit, and this performance did nothing to change that. Allen was awarded a rare start by Rodgers, but he looks a level below those around him in this Liverpool side. He’s not a bad player, but I don’t think he has the quality required to play consistently at this level. His passing was safe and tidy, but he lacks any real attacking quality and he was muscled of the ball numerous times on this occasion. His lack physical stature was obvious against a physical Bolton side.
Steven Gerrard – 5/10
This was Gerrard’s 700th appearance for Liverpool, which is an outstanding achievement. It ended happily with the win although I have to be honest in saying Gerrard’s own performance was not up to his best. The midfield duo alongside Allen was far from convincing, and I much prefer Gerrard playing further forward these days when he does start. His passing wasn’t as accurate as usual and he wasn’t able to exert any significant influence on proceedings. Henderson and Lucas should clearly be the first choice partnership, and in their absences this was made clear.
Alberto Moreno – 7/10
This was a tidy performance from the little Spaniard once more. Industrious as ever up and down the left flank, he didn’t have a huge amount of defending to do, but he proved a useful outlet going forwards on multiple occasions.
Adam Lallana – 5/10
I do like Lallana as a player, but he seems to be a bit off the pace at the moment following his injury in early January, and this showed once more. His first touch was quality as always, and he contributed to some nice attacking moves early on, but Lallana couldn’t sustain any meaningful attacking threat before he was the first player to be brought off on 54 minutes, to be replaced by Henderson. Perhaps he is struggling for fitness, but Lallana has a very difficult task to secure his place in the side with the way Coutinho is performing right now.
Philippe Coutinho – 9/10
Source: http://liverpoolfc.com/
This man is the reason we’re into the next round of the FA Cup and avoided 30 minutes of extra time ahead of the Merseyside Derby this weekend. Coutinho was superb once again with some sublime pieces of skill in the first half. After the break, he set Sterling through on goal with a measured through ball, which would have lead to the opening goal if not for a well time tackle from the defender. He was threatening throughout, and finally it paid off, with Liverpool drawing 1-1 in stoppage time, the little Brazilian curled in a 25 yard belter off the underside of the crossbar in the 92nd minute to send Liverpool through. If goals are his weakness, this showed he can certainly find the back of the net. What a strike, and what fantastic form he is in right now. That new contract was better than any new signing we could have made.
Raheem Sterling – 8/10
Sterling was unlucky to be ruled offside in the first half when through on goal, and even more unlucky to see his curling shot crash off the post with the keeper beaten. In the second half, with Liverpool 1-0 down, he kept his composure extremely well to guide in a left footed volley through the keeper’s legs for the vital equaliser. That’s 9 goals for the season now, and he looks set to reach double figures in consecutive seasons. Not bad for a 20 year old. The sooner he’s on a new deal, the better.
Substitutes
Jordan Henderson – 8/10
Henderson came off the bench to replace Lallana on 54 minutes, and helped dominate the midfield. One incredible piece of skill saw him take out 2 Bolton players with a magnificent first touch, and it was Henderson who passed to Coutinho to score the winner. This was his 9th assist of the season, which is a fantastic return. He could do with some more goals now.
Fabio Borini – 6/10
After replacing Markovic after 65 minutes, Borini played wide on the right hand side, working hard, and his pressing and energy were useful in the latter stages. Probably should have done better with a shot straight at the keeper late on.
Daniel Sturridge – 8/10
There was no goal for Sturridge in this latest cameo appearance, but he gave everyone a lift with 20 minutes to go. His mere presence on the pitch gives us more confidence, and he could have had a goal and assist himself if it weren’t for some fine defending and goalkeeping by Bolton. Another 20 minutes of fitness under his belt.
Red Regista
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