Twenty four hours on from Liverpool’s stunning 4-0 victory over Barcelona, the Reds were this time on the receiving end of a four goal pasting as German side Mainz ensured that Liverpool’s pre season ended in defeat.
Here’s some player ratings from the game, not helped by the awfully intermittent LFCTV stream, and my lack of interest in the entire second half…
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Starters
Alex Manninger – 4/10
Seems harsh to give him a low rating because he didn’t do a lot wrong, but as a goalkeeper you can’t concede four goals and expect to get a decent mark. Don’t think he could’ve done much about any of the goals.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5/10
For his age he looks very comfortable at right back and with Flanagan out on loan, it looks like it will be between him and Randall to be backup to Nathaniel Clyne. Can’t really judge him on this performance as the team overall were so poor.
Andre Wisdom – 3/10
An absolutely dreadful day for Wisdom in which he will shoulder a lot of blame for the one-sided scoreline. The penalty given against him was a little harsh, but everything that Wisdom did today went wrong, from his passing to his tackling to his aerial duels. Will need to be much better to have a chance of being involved with the team this season.
Joel Matip – 4/10
It wasn’t much better for Matip today, either. Very slow to react to Cordoba’s run for the second Mainz goal, and didn’t really improve at all in the second half. He only gets a four because he showed some nice passing, but as it stands that won’t be enough to knock Lovren or Klavan out of next week’s eleven.
Alberto Moreno – 3/10
With Moreno, you never know what you’re going to get, such is the inconsistency of the Spanish full back. Today, he had a stinker. Made two stupid early challenges which would’ve earned him at least one yellow in a competitive fixture. Anonymous going forward too, and was replaced early in the second half.
Emre Can – 5/10
Surprising to see Can start today after playing a large part of the game yesterday. Playing the 4-3-3 system today meant that he had much more licence to get forward. Will be interesting to see if he regularly is employed in that role, because he does lack the discipline required to be a full on CDM.
Marko Grujic – 4/10
Was hard for Grujic to get as involved in the game today because of the formation which saw him having to spend time in the halfspace and wide areas. Let’s hope that the injury that forced him off isn’t serious.
Jordan Henderson – 5/10
Started out as the CDM in a 4-3-3 system, and I really don’t think you get the best out of Henderson in that role. He’s an athletic player who likes to drive forward and I think he struggles in a deep lying role.
Adam Lallana – 5/10
Source: liverpoolfc.com
It’s testament to what a fit and model professional Adam Lallana is that he started today’s game after putting such a shift in in yesterday’s first half. Even the most tireless of players suffer from occasional fatigue though, and Lallana struggled to get involved in the game, stuck on the right hand side of the attacking trident.
Ben Woodburn – 5/10
Nice to see young Ben Woodburn back in the fold, this time starting on the left of the front three. He looked Coutinho-esque with his inclination to cut inside and spend time in the halfspace. Didn’t make much of an impact though, despite a few nice touches.
Divock Origi – 4/10
It’s clear to see Origi was tired. He didn’t go full tilt at it today, choosing a few times not to bend his runs and took the easy option where he could. This wasn’t the normal Divock Origi we saw today, but it’s understandable given the schedule.
Substitutes
Danny Ings – 4/10
Didn’t get involved in the game at all. Don’t know if it’s because of recovering from the injury or something else, but Ings has been very quiet in his last few games.
Connor Randall – 5/10
Showed a few nice touches and offers a bit of an outlet on the right hand side, I think Randall is better than a lot of fans think, but he certainly needs to work on his final ball.
Kevin Stewart – 4/10
Was brilliant yesterday, but had a poor game today. Lost the ball in the lead up to a goal and was caught out of position several times. Really doesn’t suit playing in a midfield three.
Cameron Brannagan – 5/10
Such a technically capable footballer, but these weren’t the circumstances to show it. Stewart was so out of position that Brannagan was required to fill the CDM position, which is not where he should be playing.
Toni Gomes – 5/10
Terrible circumstances to make your debut in, but Gomes showed power and tenacity, as well as a few good passes. Way too early to say if he’ll be involved this season though.
Sam Hart – 5/10
Similarly with Gomes, not a nice game to make your debut in. I can’t recall him being involved much, but if our left back issues persist he could be called upon once or twice.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 5/10
The game was done by the point he came on, but he looked okay. Will be desperate to get his first goal soon.
Roberto Firmino – 4/10
The formation was such a mish-mash by the time he came on that there was nothing he could do.
Daniel Daykin
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