Liverpool’s home campaign finally got underway on Saturday, with the Reds registering an exciting 4-1 win over Premier League champions Leicester City in front of a bumper crowd at the revamped Anfield. Here are my player ratings from the day…
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Starters
Simon Mignolet – 8/10
The Belgian continued his strong start to the season with a commanding display. There was one questionable moment where he came and punched a ball which landed us in trouble, but apart from that he was excellent – the save to deny Jamie Vardy is top class. He was in the wars through the game but is currently in fans’ good books. Loris Karius may be back from injury, but he might have to wait for the number one spot.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
Source: liverpoolfc.com
A typical Clyne performance. Solid, confident and understated. Offered a good outlet on the right hand side especially in the first half, and was relatively untroubled by Leicester’s Mark Albrighton.
Joel Matip – 9/10
My man of the match. An outstanding defensive performance from the Cameroon man, whose Anfield debut was full of work. Dominant in the air, excellent on the ball, confident in passing exchanges and positionally superb. I believe that Matip and Lovren will form a formidable partnership.
Lucas Leiva – 7/10
Bear with me on this one. Yes, I know he made that mistake. It’s stupid, it’s unlike him and it’s suicidal defending. But we should remember that he is a midfielder, not a centre half, and playing out of position is a tough thing to do. Most impressive was the way he responded to the mistake and proceeded to have a good game.
James Milner – 8/10
Milner is beginning to make the left back spot his own and he has done his cause no harm with another good performance. Attacked very well and plays a lovely ball through to Firmino for the first goal, registering yet another assist. Absolutely pocketed Riyad Mahrez as well. Great display.
Jordan Henderson – 7/10
Still playing in the deeper midfield role, Henderson is beginning to adapt to this new position. Good range of passing on display today and managed to perform well in the tackling battles. Was caught out a few times at the back though, giving the ball away occasionally. Really should’ve scored in the second half.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 8/10
Slowly but surely the Dutch midfielder is becoming accustomed to playing in the red shirt. Very good display today, calm on the ball and threatening in the attacking third. Set up Lallana’s goal. Shooting was a little timid though.
Adam Lallana – 8/10
Gets an 8 largely for his stunning goal, rifled into the top corner. Has improved his contribution rate massively at the start of this season. Had a pretty quiet game overall but it’s great to see Lallana finally starting to deliver on his price tag.
Sadio Mane – 8/10
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Another very exciting display from the new signing today. His pace offers us a completely different way of playing and has changed things completely for the Reds. Registers another goal after a simply glorious piece of work from Daniel Sturridge, and all round was a great threat.
Roberto Firmino – 9/10
Absolutely outstanding individual performance from the Brazilian today. The first goal is absolute class, a beautiful first touch to open up the space and then a cool finish. The second goal is a bit easier but he is still under pressure with the surrounding defenders. Firmino’s positional ability gets better by the game and he is in my opinion, our best player.
Daniel Sturridge – 8/10
A man with a point to prove and boy he did that today. Operated in wide and central areas and was extremely effective at all times. For one of the first times in Sturridge’s Liverpool career, he was really playing for the team, making decoy runs to support the likes of Mane and Firmino. Should’ve got a goal himself in the first half, but the assist for Mane’s goal is a quite exquisite piece of magic.
Substitutes
Philippe Coutinho – 6/10
We didn’t miss Coutinho today and Klopp has a tough decision to make regarding his place on Friday. Looked fine when he came on.
Kevin Stewart – 6/10
Didn’t make much of an impact when he came on, but Stewart is high in the pecking order, seemingly ahead of Grujic.
Alberto Moreno – 6/10
He didn’t touch the ball, but that was Moreno’s best performance in a long time.
Daniel Daykin
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