Here’s how re rated the Liverpool players this Boxing Day…
The Reds nicked a 0-1 win away to Burnley today, and here’s how we rated the players…
GK) Brad Jones (Simon Mignolet 15′) – n/a
Subbed off injured early on, but still managed one poor moment when he forgot to dive for a shot that hit the post.
DRC) Kolo Toure (Emre Can 45′) – 6
The Ivorian didn’t too much wrong at the back for the Reds, but was pulled for young German Can at half-time. Unsure whether an injury affected the veteran, or whether the switch was tactical.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 6
Constantly put Sakho under pressure with unnecesary passes, and did the same with Mignolet when the Belgian came on. Poor marking, and poor aerially – but we kept a clean-sheet, nonetheless.
DLC) Mamadou Sakho – 8
Liverpool’s best player. The Frenchman is often criticised for his ability on the ball, but he actually showed class when in possession, turning out of some difficult situations, particularly in the first-half.
WBR) Jordan Henderson – 6
He just isn’t a wing-back, is he? Today, the game cried out for energy and drive from the centre, but the Englishman was stuck out on the right wing. Again, he was remarkably average, and his crossing left a lot to be desired.
WBL) Lazar Markovic – 6
Wasteful in possesion. The Serbian plays with too-fine-a-margin. He’s either running down the field on the break, or he’s given the ball away in a dangerous position. Today, was the latter all too often.
MC) Lucas – 7
Defensively good again, and it was needed – with Burnley dominating in the first-half. The Brazilian got himself in the way for a timely deflection, and while he rarely made telling passes – that wasn’t his job today.
MC) Steven Gerrard – 6
Like it did against Arsenal, the game passes Gerrard by in central midfield in this formation. Lucas doesn’t offer the legs he needs alongside him, and Burnley won the midfield battle for most of the match.
AMRC) Adam Lallana – 6
Did not have an influence on the game. Toiled, but failed to help counter-attacks or make telling passes. Still deserves to be in the side, however.
AMLC) Coutinho (Rickie Lambert 73′) – 7
Magic assist from the Brazilian, who provided the classiest moment of the game by a mile. He often went missing today, but his talent is absolutely unquestionable. Again though, was subbed early.
FC) Raheem Sterling – 7
How much more can we rely on the 20-year-old…? Sterling was anonymous first-half, but he received no support. In the second, he took his chance superbly – rounding the keeper and bagging with his left. Playing in an unnatural centre-forward position, it’s all we can ask.
Subs:
Simon Mignolet – 5
Didn’t concede, but my word he was shaky. Horrible in possession, and suffered one especially embarrassing moment when he allowed the ball to roll out for a corner following a back-pass.
Emre Can – 7
Didn’t put a foot wrong in an unnatural right centre-back role.
Rickie Lambert – 5
Didn’t contribute much whatsoever.