FEELS a bit churlish to have a moan after beating the champions comfortably, doesn’t it? So I’m not going to.
Could’ve been six, though.
Simon Mignolet: 7
Nothing of note early on, but flapped at a long throw at the worst possible moment. Great ball for Daniel Sturridge late in the first half. Followed that with a brilliant stop from Jamie Vardy early in the second half. Bang into him making saves that count, and it did. Got stuck in as well, which was nice.
Nathaniel Clyne: 7
Looks to be playing much further forward when Milner is on the opposite side. Links up well, and as consistent as ever. Anything else would just be padding.
Lucas Leiva: 8
Going to stick up for him, here. Made an awful mistake, granted. But it’s not a habit he’s got, so I’m going to completely ignore it. Soz. Flawless from the Brazilian.
Joel Matip: 8
Aerially dominant — who knew? Looks so smooth on the ball. Had a bit of a worry about him being bullied as it’s something he’s spoke about himself but showed good strength and awareness.
James Milner: 7
Great ball for the opener. Drifted inside when offered the opportunity. Didn’t really notice him which, considering how Leicester play, can only be a compliment.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 7
Paid a bit more attention to him than maybe I should, as I don’t really see what he does. Found out that he offers a physicality and takes up good covering positions. Did a good number on Danny Drinkwater and was clever in possession, moved the ball well in possession too.
Jordan Henderson: 8
All about intent after some big words in the week.
Constantly in the ears of his teammates and the ref, and always looking to make a forward pass as early as possible.
Horrific miss when the game was safe, needs to start tucking them away, get the sense that if he gets one he might go on a little run of goals.
Adam Lallana: 8
Didn’t notice him at all first half and then he blasts a worldie in to make the game safe.
Stood out more second half, kept the ball after the break when the game was in the balance and you can see why Klopp rates him.
Roberto Firmino: 8
Smart turn and finish after sending Robert Huth to Germany and back for the opener. Looked to have his eye in and a little more strength and determination than we’ve seen on occasion.
Probed well and could have had a handful of assists. Fourth was on a plate for, but they all count.
Daniel Sturridge: 8
Unlucky on two occasions in the first half, twice thwarted by Kasper Schmeichel, brilliant backheel assist for Sadio Mane’s goal.
Could have had a hat-trick and will be disappointed not to have got at least one, despite hitting the target every time.
Has an under-appreciated awareness in tight spaces and displayed good link-up play. Looked more relaxed than of late.
Sadio Mane: 11
Sloppy early on, but grew into it. Looks like he links well with Sturridge. Arrogant finish to put Liverpool two up.
Feel’s like we’ve found some mad cheat code to unlock ‘ridiculous skill’ mode that we found in a variety pack, far, far better player than I thought we’d be getting, puts the fear of god into opposition defenders.
SUBS
Philippe Coutinho (On for Sturridge): 6
Desperate for a goal, but didn’t really get into it. A little over eager.
Kevin Stewart (On for Wijnaldum): 7
Sat in a bit deeper when he came on, allowing Henderson a little more freedom to get forward, a good change from the manager and a more than competent outing for England’s Kevin Stewart.
Alberto Moreno (On for Mane): N/A
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Totally agree re: Lucas. Was very solid for 99% of the match.
Up the Big Occasion Reds
Lucas showed fantastic courage to put that mistake behind him and have a great game. Lesser players could have gone to pieces.
Yup, I would have pulled a sickie via text at half time crying in a cubicle,
Very good apart from the howler.
Loved it today lads. Reds are going places. Ground went nervy at 2-1 but hopefully that will get better with time and results. I’d have only given mane a 10 myself
I think Sean Rogers might have mentioned it on a review show about Henderson’s shooting & how he should copy Lampard. The one today was a perfect example, hit it into the ground and it’s a goal.
Be like Frank, Hendo.
Spot on : hendo and Gini should study Lampard shots from similar distance and practice in training
Give Sturridge credit for Firmino’s first goal, which involved two less defenders thanks to Sturridge’s movement.
Absolutely. Sturridge’s off-the-ball runs have always been an underappreciated aspect of him game.
Agree with all this. Worth a word on Moreno coming on in middle of the front three though, however brief.
8 for Lucas is right.
Loving are ‘new’ Left Back, superb today and an extremely intelligent footballer who will get better and better in his new position, also love how Klopp made this decision because he knew he wanted ‘Milly’ in the first 11. Could end up as one of the best in the league by May, here’s hoping. Hendo’ also, just getting better and better in the deeper role. Could it actually be that Jurgen Klopp knows a bit more about football than all us lot? Surely not, everyone knows all the best managers are on social media! Happy Days – Now when’s that Si Hughes book gonna’ be delivered, loved ‘The Men in White Suits’ (Great title too). Best Wishes to All Happy Reds tonight.
*OUR* (‘new left back’) – Not ‘are’. Could do with an edit on here. Non-proof reading, a hangover from my Undergrad’ days I’m afraid.
Great comment about Klopp. Especially after transfer window closed, quite a number of social media ‘fans’ (including some articles on TAW) turned against Klopp and FSG. Cheers
Josh K, if you meant’ my comment about Klopp, then Cheers lad. It just annoys me how people seriously believe they know so much better than one of the top 3-4 managers working in the game today. Also, so much confirmation bias with regards to James Milner. He’s simply a class footballer, it’s quietly brushed under the carpet how he had the best ‘numbers’ in the side last season. If there is any player who can adapt to that role, it’s him, he’s just a very nice intelligent footballer. I remember how he totally changed that game against City in n 13/14, his impact, in a side full of superstars was astonishing and had me on edge for the last half hour, we won, but we were hanging on. It’s like the Lallana fume crowd. Always been a ridiculously talented player, great under Pochetinno, not bad under BR, but seems to be developing into something very special under Klopp. I love how the gaffer Really means this ‘team’ thing. Under previous bosses we were always reliant on a star player, (Stevie, Suarez then Danny Sturridge, then Phil Coutinho). Now we can beat the Champions without Coutinho (mostly), we can beat the runners up, away, without Sturridge and also dominate the side that finished 3rd, again without DS. We have Firmino, Lallana, Mane, who all take responsibility as well as DS and Couts’, not forgetting Big Divvy, Hendo’, Can, even Lovren and Matip. It’s a real ‘one for all, all for one’ – see your Sturridge point mate. Klopp is working on the long term because he has the authority and charisma. Don’t want to bash BR but he was too much of a novice to have that authority so he ended up reactionary rather than planning for the future. Apologies for going on. Best wishes.
Hi James, excellent points on Reds under Klopp. As you have mentioned above, we are really unique under Klopp leadership. He stated explicitly that he does not care what or how other teams spent. He does not care who was the best player of last year, he is more interested in training his players to be the best players for the team for the future.
I strongly believe that this team will be like an unstoppable steam engine banging past any other teams — made up of superstars or pub players– we are going to be that special powerful and unstoppable force that others fear.
Isn’t this amazing to have ready replacements in the squad without dropping standard? For example, sturridge, Coutinho, mane, firmino, Origi, Ings, Lallana, Milner, Hendo, Gini, can all play in the front three spots. likewise, Can, hendo, Gini, Lucas, Lallana, Milner, Coutinho, Stewart, and the new kid can all play in the midfield three spots.
Comes May, we will be there or there about. And Klopp just needs to tweak one or two specialist roles to make it even better. Cheers.
Mig : nose and facial injuries might have cost him some facial/hair cream endorsement deals?
Milner: he can probably be our stand in goalie too. By end of season, he might be called up by England as left back (competing with Flenno). It’s a real test against vardy and merhez and Milly must have studied their movements and how to defend all two weeks.
Mane: Please please someone look after his hamstring. One of my worries every time he runs at 100kmh is that his hamstring might snap (Touch wood)
Sturridge: looks like a team player for the first time this season. We all want Daniel sturridge to do well for us with his world class talent. But on various occasions he seemed to be playing for himself. Well done today!!
Bobby: well said. Stronger, more determined, more committed — that’s the biggest difference from his performance early last season.
Matip : looking forward to the duel with the dirty “Costa Stamps” next week.
Clyne/Lucas/Gini/Hendo: well said.
Overall this team (bar Lovren) look a more balanced team with sturridge leading the line and Bobby at the left side of 3, and no one taking pot shots (Phil).
Almost spot on Andy. I suspect Jurgen won’t be giving Migs a 7 though. Expect Karius next week against the Kings Road globetrotters.
why?
Its funny how people comment that its mad how fans think they know more than Klopp does – then proceed to follow the band wagon in thinking they know more than Klopp does…
“England’s Kevin Stewart” made me spit out my cereal
Firmino probably deserves 1 more than Sturridge and Clyne 1 less than Milner…Clyne really needs to improve on his game…he has not reached the levels he performed at Southampton and see him constantly frustrating Klopp.
Splendid display overall as a unit…17 chances with 12 shots on target with just 2 off shows massive improvement…good discipline in defence except for Gene’s mistake…Lucas error shouldnt be counted considering Shinji was inside the box for a goal kick. Cheers to the fans for supporting Lucas
Good honest ratings, Andy, though can’t help feeling the 11 for Mané is perhaps due to a bit of stardust in the eyes.
I think we’re not seeing Karius in goal before October. Klopp won’t bring him back against an opponent like Chelsea for his first game after a serious hand injury and surgery. It’s too risky. But I’ll eat my words dipped in sauce if I’m wrong.
Anyone still criticising Hendo — please put a sack over your head.
Lucas — the consummate professional and Red warrior. Hung his head in honest acknowledgement of a foolish momentary lapse of concentration, then got right back on his horse and fought the rest of the battle like the man he is.
Milner — brilliant example. Will do whatever the manager asks him to.
Moreno is eventually going to be back in the squad. Get over it and support him.
Honest question — barring any stardust, what does a Liverpool player have to do to get a 10 from this TAW lot?
Ellie, honest answer here. According to TAW/Echo/Soccernet grading policy clause 2B paragraph 2.1.1c, in order to get a 10, the players must have done three out of the following four:
– a hat trick
– three goal line clearances
– punch and break the nose of our most hated opponent (ie Costa or Jose)
– have a plastered nose like Robbie Fowler
Agree with 8 for Lucas.
He was emboldened by the support from the KOP end, pure class!
Palpable demonstration of what it means when we sing “you’ll never walk alone”.
Great performance and a great read, taw. I thought firmino had one of his best games for lfc. His footwork and time on the ball were phenomenal, effortless. Even sturridge was fully into it. We literally choked the champions, gave them no time to breathe. The next test is mouthwatering…
Anyone else notice that Sturridge seemed to have that extra yard of pace back? He outpaced Mane to get to that backheel cross.
Good ratings Andy. But you forgot a few other great players of the day::
Klopp 10
New Main Stand and FSG 10
The Fans (and wow! the sound off the Main Stand fans giving it all) 11
Lallana and Firmino were 9 each. Only reason Firmino wasn’t 10 was a sloppy ball given away in midfield; his coolness around the box can be a weakness when he looks too relaxed coming deep.
Henderson was never 8 on account of him being an absolute shithouse infront of goal. Was the same at Old Trafford in the Europa. It’s embarrassing. If Fabregas doesn’t limp off the pitch next game he should be stripped of the armband.
I’m still fuming at how shit Leicester are when they’re champions. Schmiecal jnr and Mahrez are their only real players. It’s ridiculous what was allowed to happen last season. Why was this Vardy lad breaking goal scoring records when he’s a technically limited bin man (goal against us last season aside)?
Totally agree about Wijnaldum. I’ve been watching him closely over the last few weeks wondering why he’s been in the starting XI. Today he showed us that physically he’s strong and quick and when in possession he can pick a pass to sustain forward pressure. The more he grows in confidence in his new surroundings the more people are going to see why we paid so much for him.
Personally think Firmino was a 10. Wouldn’t give him same rating as Sturridge. Lallana and Hendo but that’s not to slate them i just thought Firmino was incredible and he was my MOM.
Can i just say i think the other ratings are spot on. Matip excites me alot and don’t start me on Mane. The pace is a joke!!
Roberto Firmino was hands down the MOM. It is he you should be giving a score of 11. His movement, dribbling, passing and scoring were second to none. That was one of the best performances I have seen him do in a Red shirt. Do yourself a favour and watch the game again! The confidence was oozing through his veins and it showed with the flicks and tricks he did all day. In that form the man is unplayable. Mane was good but far from an 11. Would be giving him a solid 8 but heck we are all in love with man so acre it …