Borini and Lambert bag to put Villa to the sword…
Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players following today’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa…
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GK) Simon Mignolet – 7.5/10
Well done Simon Mignolet. That’s two consecutive clean-sheets from the under-fire Belgian, who made a particularly excellent save from a Christian Benteke thunderbolt – which he followed up with an excellent punch. He might still need replacing, but he needs to be congratulated for a vastly improved showing.
DRC) Emre Can – 7.5/10
Another accomplished performance from the young German which belies both his age and the fact he’s being used in an unnatural position. Looked very comfortable in possession, and his decision making at the back was calm, and virtually perfect. He’s going to be a seriously good player.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 7/10
The least notably impressive of the back-three, Skrtel played well nonetheless, and is clearly thriving at the heart of a back-three. He won the individual battle with Benteke, and was the vocal leader of our defence. The Slovakian has earned his rumoured new contract on this evidence.
DLC) Mamadou Sakho – 8/10
Our Man of the Match. Has Sakho played badly once since returning from injury? If he has, we can’t remember it. Again, he combined physical prowess with simple, clever passing – and he bullied the Villa attackers throughout. It seems absurd that he wasn’t in the starting lineup earlier this season.
MR) Lazar Markovic – 7/5.10
Last week, Markovic impressed everyone with his searing runs forward from right wing-back, but today – he was impressive defensively and in terms of his work-rate. Positionally he was excellent, and his quick feet and nimbleness were maximised in tight situations on the flank – as he has the ability to shift the ball and work it into space.
ML) Alberto Moreno – 7/10 (Enrique 71′)
The young Spaniard started excellently, and he had a goal (fairly) ruled out for offside early on after a trademark bombarding run down the left. Was withdrawn with 20 minutes left, and we can only hope it was tactical, as he fits this formation perfectly.
MC) Lucas – 7/10
Quietly bossed the midfield, again. Lucas performs best with Jordan Henderson alongside him – as it enables him to sit deep and control tempo while the Englishman presses and harries the opposition. One of the first names on the team-sheet right now.
MC) Jordan Henderson – 7.5/10
That’s six Premier League assists for Henderson this term, one more than Chelsea’s Eden Hazard! Sprayed passes around for fun, and clearly enjoyed his role as captain – geeing up his teammates throughout the 90 minutes, and setting the tone for an aggressive pressing performance with constant work-rate in the centre.
AMRC) Raheem Sterling – 6/10 (Ibe 85′)
Probably our quietest player today. Sterling looked a little rusty, but he still managed to pick up an assist after he fed Lambert for our second goal. Let’s hope he can get up and running quickly to aid our top four push.
AMLC) Coutinho – 7/10
This is arguably Coutinho’s most consistent run of strong form since he signed for Liverpool. Since we switched to the 3-4-3, he’s been creative, hasn’t wasted possession too much, and has made good decisions in the final third. Today was no different, and he would have bagged if Borini had played him a square ball for a tap in.
FC) Fabio Borini – 6.5/10 (Lambert 71′)
The Italian took his goal nicely in the first-half, which was his first Premier League effort of the season. However, bar the goal, he was largely wasteful when he got himself into promising positions, and you’d have to believe we’d have put the game to bed earlier had a more clinical forward been starting.
SUBS:
Jose Enrique – 5/10 – Didn’t do very much, but his deliveries from the left were ropey.
Jordon Ibe – 6/10 – Hardly any time to make an impact, but enjoyed one mazy run which almost led to a Coutinho goal.
Rickie Lambert – 6.5/10 – Took his goal very well, finishing into Brad Guzan’s bottom corner from just outside of the box.
