Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side took another step to rectifying February’s League Cup final loss with a professional 3-0 victory over Derby County to secure a place in the last 16 of this season’s competition. Here are my player ratings from the night…
Starters
Loris Karius – 7/10
Source: liverpoolfc.com
A pretty quiet debut for the German if truth be told. Showed a few nice examples of his distribution, and is clearly a fan of the sweeper keeper technique. Timed his tackle on Darren Bent brilliantly when the striker was one on one. Big decision for Saturday now – Mignolet has been very good but is Karius really going to be number two?
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
A typical Clyne performance, attacking well down the flank whilst also never being in danger of being caught out. Such a competent and reliable defender, we’re lucky to have such a consistent performer at the club.
Joel Matip – 7/10
Another step taken by Matip tonight towards making a centre back place in the first team well and truly his own. Again, solid on the ball and on the rare occasions that Derby did threaten, he dealt with it comfortably.
Ragnar Klavan – 7/10
Grabs his first Liverpool goal with a calm finish into the bottom corner. Hardly troubled defensively, but looks a very valuable option to have in the CB position.
Alberto Moreno – 7/10
Much improved from the Spaniard tonight. Still attacked with the pace and intensity that he usually does, but he married that with good positional play and awareness of the game going on around him. Perhaps this was a step to him taking back the LB position.
Lucas Leiva – 7/10
Broke up play like only he can do, allowed our midfield to dominate and offered great protection to the defence, allowing Clyne and Moreno to venture forward. Who said we don’t have a defensive midfielder?
Marko Grujic – 6/10
Looked a bit nervous in the early stages of his first start but really grew into the game. Was involved in some nice passing exchanges with the front three. Definitely tired late on but a good start nonetheless.
Jordan Henderson – 7/10
Source: liverpoolfc.com
The captain backed up his previous two displays with another good one at Pride Park tonight. Helped settle Grujic down with his own positional awareness, and delivered some lovely passes. Starting to win back a large share of the fans he had lost.
Philippe Coutinho – 8/10
Without a doubt the man of the match tonight. Involved in everything good Liverpool did, sets up the first goal with a corner bang on the money, before scoring the second with a composed finish into the corner. Some of his interplay was genuinely outstanding tonight.
Roberto Firmino – 8/10
Not a headline grabber tonight, but it was still a welcome return to the team for Firmino. Constantly offering an outlet and popping up in great areas, his intricate play with Coutinho was a joy to watch at times. Definitely should’ve got a goal himself.
Divock Origi – 8/10
Was having a reasonably quiet game until the goal, a thunderous finish into the net from quite a tight angle. Operating in the centre and from the right he was equally effective as he bids to win back a first team spot.
Substitutes
Emre Can – 7/10
Great to see the German back on the pitch tonight, and he looked good. Won the ball back on a number of occasions and while his passing game wasn’t there tonight, he will only improve as he regains his fitness.
Danny Ings – 5/10
Really struggled to get into the game when he came on. Hopefully this is the start of more game time for him though.
Ovie Ejaria – N/A
Great for him to get his first competitive appearance, and whilst he didn’t have chance to do much by the time he was on the pitch, he won’t forget that night.
Daniel Daykin
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