John Gibbons’ player ratings after Liverpool 3 Newcastle United 1 in the Premier League at Anfield, as Trent Alexander-Arnold stands out…
THAT was harder work than anyone wanted it to be.
Mostly our own fault and mostly, and I’m not a grass, because Thiago kept passing to them. But we got through it and we won 3-1 and we are still right in a Championship race. Here’s some scores
Alisson: 8
Had his Christmas party on Saturday and was back on it tonight. Big save at 1-1. Love you, lad. Come to ours for Christmas if you want. My sister’s a nightmare like, but my ma’s roasties are boss.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 9
We were all getting a bit nervous and he kicked the ball right in the goal. He’s going to keep doing this for Liverpool for the next 10 years and that makes us the luckiest boys and girls on earth.
Ibrahima Konate: 7
Looks a really nice player. We ask a lot of our centre halves but he seems sound with it. Happy with a one on one tussle. Like a gladiator. Should have done better with that header first half, though.
Joel Matip: 7
Mad how he’s become our ever present centre half, init? Let’s just keep quiet and see how long it lasts. Shhhhhhh.
Jordan Henderson: 7
Good and extra credit because it was a different position and one of his mates played like he’d been on the ale since Villa.
Thiago: 3
Hahahahahhahahah fucking hell. I remember being in a cricket team and assuming a game would be called off for rain so having a mad one only to get a text at 10am still up that the game was on. Most frightening experience of my life as some lad bowled bodyline at me as I tried to do anything possible to look like I knew what I was doing. Have blocked that memory out my life until tonight when I saw Thiago literally smacking his own head trying to come round tonight. Don’t worry la, it’s Christmas. No judgement here.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 5
Wasn’t great to be honest but had fucking Shane MacGowan with a pint of Martini strolling round next to him so it was a tough gig really.
Mo Salah: 7
Scored one and wanted to score more but Jurgen took him off. Looked at Jurgen like he was the grinch who’d just charged him to wreck his house and pour juice all over his kid.
Diogo Jota: 6
Scored eventually. Should have scored the first time really but was lucky all their defenders were on the floor so he got another go.
Sadio Mane: 7
Enjoyed Sadio tonight. Him and Robbo back keeping the opposition guessing. It’s some sort of record drought now but you back him to rain goals soon.
SUBS
Roberto Firmino: 4
Like a kid who goes back to school after summer holiday and has forgotten how to write. Was bouncing off him like the bumpers at the bowling alley.
Naby Keita: 5
A glorious mix of good and bad. Something for every Naby position. One great ball at least. One fucking shite shot, though.
James Milner: n/a
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I thought Thiago after 25/30 minutes really progressed and started moving the ball a lot faster and started to dominate a poor Newcastle midfield. Our number 6’s first 25 minutes was dreadful.
Andy Robbo was immense and Trent must have been watching Steven Gerrard clips pre game.
Bit harsh on Naby and Ox there, Gibbo. I thought Naby injected a bit of what we needed when he came on. Thiago was waaaay better than a 3 too.
Robbo? Everyone is on the Christmas ale.
Jonjo Spooky was running the midfield and we were looking shite. Thought it was mad to take Salah off, but all of a sudden Naby and Bobby are setting the table for Christmas dinner about 35 yards out from the Kop and Shelvey didn’t get another touch.
Poor Robbo, only gets a mention in Sadio’s comment. He wasn’t that bad. Perhaps Thiago isn’t the only one suffering from pre Christmas ale-knack.
unmemorable display against a poor opposition, 3 points never in any real doubt.
Trent’s pearla the obvious highlight.
Job done…onwards
Joel Matip
Shhhhhhhh
Flashes of VVD in Konate tonight. Thought for sure you’d mention him getting a 3 pin strike in the leadup to the Jota goal. Newcastle players strewn about…
Good to see Naby and Bobby again. Naby looks raring to go..