Jurgen Klopp selected a strong side to face FC Sion, knowing that a draw would be enough to top the group and earn a theoretically easier draw in the Europa League Last 32.
And a 0-0 draw is what his side got him, but it was a spectacle we’ll quickly forget.
Here’s how we rated the players:
GK) Simon Mignolet – 6/10
A very quiet evening for the Belgian. He didn’t make any saves he couldn’t have stopped in his sleep, and while he collected a clean-sheet, his distribution was nothing to shout about.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne – 6/10
Surprisingly playing ahead of Connor Randall, Clyne did his usual solid if unspectacular job on the right of defence. Perhaps could’ve got forward more considering the quality of the opposition.
DL) Brad Smith – 7/10
Making his first start for Liverpool, the Australian deputised for Alberto Moreno on the left of defence. Was eager to get forward and his work-rate was excellent – although he ultimately lacked end product. Still, he was the best of the Liverpool players tonight.
DC) Kolo Toure – 6/10
Starting ahead of rested Martin Skrtel, Toure didn’t have an awful lot to do, but cleared well with his head on a few occasions from Sion crosses.
DC) Dejan Lovren – 6.5/10
Fresh on the back of his Premier League Player of the Month nomination, Lovren oversaw another clean-sheet – although his passes were too long in coming out of his feet.
DMC) Emre Can – 5/10
Back after missing the Newcastle defeat, Can played as the anchorman – but wasn’t careful enough on the ball at all. His attempted flicks or zipped passes too often found red Sion shirts.
MC) Jordan Henderson – 6/10 (Rossiter 75′)
The captain’s first start under Jurgen Klopp has felt like an age coming, but the outing can only be considered good for Henderson’s fitness, as it was mostly bereft of quality.
MC) James Milner – 5/10 (Coutinho 59′)
Hard to notice actually. Yes he ran, but for what purpose? The nicest word we can think of to describe his performance is… boring.
AMRC) Adam Lallana – 5/10
Did a few Cruyff-turns in central midfield, but that’s not where Lallana needs to be taking risks. Won’t get as much flak as Firmino for tonight, but he wasn’t much better. We missed Jordon Ibe’s pace.
AMLC) Roberto Firmino – 4/10 (Brannagan 88′)
Firmino was awful at St. James’s, but his display in Switzerland wasn’t much better. How much longer can we say: ‘Oh, he’s settling in’? The Brazilian gave the ball away and was lazy. And not much else. He’s performed much, much better as a False 9 than he has as a no.10, and it’s this position that might be his future with Sturridge injured. Because tonight was worrying…
FC) Divock Origi – 6/10
Origi notched a hat-trick last time he played from the offset away to Southampton, but his finishing was not up to scratch tonight. Missed a chance in the first, and then tried to take it round the stopper in the second when he should have just placed it through his legs instead. Still a long-term option.
SUBS:
Coutinho – 5/10 – Off the pace.
Jordan Rossiter – 5/10 – Almost gave a goal away when dallying at the back.
Cameron Brannagan – 5/10 – n/a