ALL a bit moody for a friendly that, wasn’t it?
All for friendlies not being glorified training sessions but a couple of the challenges that got lashed in must have had both managers a little bit worried. Anyway, here are your match ratings.
Loris Karius: 6
No chance with Cahill’s header, nothing else really to do in the first half.
Knocked Lovren spark out shortly before the hour coming for a Chelsea free-kick.
Connor Randall: 6
Dealt well with the direct running of (don’t laugh) Victor Moses.
Possibly saved Cahill from getting an early bath by not making the most of a nasty challenge from the Chelsea centre-half.
Ragnar Klavan: 7
Good block from a Willian cross on 32 minutes, look fairly solid. Bit of a strange one for the two centre halves, neither really standing out, which isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Lucky not to escape serious injury after a leg breaker from Fabregas, the snide little dickhead.
Dejan Lovren: 6
See above, bit of a strange one — looked solid enough.
Booked early second half for a pull on Loftus-Cheek before getting sparked out by Karius. Had everyone a bit worried for a minute but got up and carried on like a true Liverpool captain and leader of men should.
Alberto Moreno: 6
Stuck one on Willian early on which immediately put him up a point.
Always looks susceptible but always a willing option on the overlap, showed some good touches and linked with Ejaria well a few times and nearly had an assist, breaking free and crossing for Firmino.
Marko Grujic: 6
Got bullied a bit by Gary Cahill for the first goal then got booked immediately after for a daft foul.
Nearly had his head taken off late in the first half in a clash with Bertrand Traore. Took it like a lad, though, and just got on with it.
Kevin Stewart: 5
Didn’t notice him at all first half. Would just be making things up. Sorry. Boss foul on 52 minutes. Tactical.
Sadio Mane: 6
Started brightly despite an elbow in the face then faded as the half went on. Great feet to fashion a chance on 40 minutes.
Should have done better on the stroke of half-time after showing ridiculous pace to get away from the Chelsea defence but fluffed his lines with a soft cross.
Ovie Ejaria: 8
Another confident display from the 18 year-old midfielder, who has an uncanny ability to make the ball stick despite his rangy frame.
Great back-heel for Firmino’s disallowed goal, could be my new hero. Booked for a foul on Azpilicueta shortly before half-time.
Philippe Coutinho: 7
Quiet opening 15, then burst into life following a smart free kick that forced a decent save from Begovic.
Great ball for Moreno on the half-hour mark to put the young Spaniard away that Liverpool should have done better from.
Roberto Firmino: 5
Started the game minus one for that ridiculous top knot, and lost another point for letting Cahill get a standing jump on him for Chelsea’s first goal.
Should have scored from a Moreno cut back on the half-hour mark and then did score later on after a sublime bit of skill from Ejaria only for it to be chalked off for a marginal offside.
SUBS
Adam Lallana: 6
Neat and tidy, sat in the middle and kept things ticking over. Seems to enjoy playing with Milner.
Jordan Henderson: 6
Came on and sat at the base of the midfield, looked to be running more freely than he has in a long while.
Andre Wisdom: 6
Slotted in for Lovren, didn’t do much wrong. Still a Liverpool player.
Lazar Markovic: 5
Doesn’t seem to really do anything while simultaneously looking like he has ability, which is a shame. Not really working for him is it? Could do well elsewhere.
James Milner: 6
Took up on the right-hand side for the last half hour, stretched the pitch well.
Danny Ings: 5
Brought a change in shape, giving the Reds a more direct point of attack, didn’t really get much service.
Sheyi Ojo: 6
Came on for the impressive Ejaria — both look to have bags of talent and confidence, but didn’t particularly do anything outstanding. Loads of time for that though.
Cameron Brannagan: 6
Got a decent 1o minutes.
Alexander-Arnold: 6
As above.
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Was it just me or did Lovren lose his head again? Although he was much improved last season, I still have my doubts about the mental side of his game. Wouldn’t mind Matip and Klavan given a run out together. Doesn’t look as though anything ruffles the latter.
Thought tonight showed why we’ve signed so many new attacking players. We were far too slow in our build up play (Hendo, Lallana, Markovic, Milner). You need to be really quick and decisive to break down teams like Chelsea and I’ve a feeling we’ll see a lot of well organised teams this season. Look forward to seeing Gino, Mane, Sturridge, Grujic and Coutinho in the same team: goals.
Not as good as John Gibbons, Heaton. And he’s better looking.
Sorry Andy, I’ve gotta agree with Peter! Seriously though it was good to have a fiesty contest for the lads, Ejaria was outstanding again, really looks to have something about him, other than that decent run out and roll on AC Milan..
Old story of lack of guile and intelligence needed to break down tight defence and soft goal conceded
Bring Gibbons back please.
Is “an uncanny ability to make the ball stick despite his rangy frame” a euphemism for “good feet for a big man”?