Youngsters win us the tie, and we’re through to face Crystal Palace in the 5th Round of the FA Cup…
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(Video) Coutinho grabs MAGIC goal to win FA Cup tie!
GK) Simon Mignolet 7/10
Barring his first ever match for us, Mignolet’s never looked great when facing a spot-kick, but he can hardly be blamed for going the wrong way on the penalty. Looked confident, and his communication was solid. Also saved from Eidur Gudjohnsen late on. A liability, no more!
DRC) Emre Can – 8/10
The German purrs when he plays football. He’s 21-years-old, but his composure belies his age. There is literally no ceiling as to how good he can get, as a defender or an anchoring midfielder. When he was moved further forward, he crashed a shot against the bar – and laid Sterling in on goal for our equaliser. Class.
DLC) Mamadou Sakho – 8/10
Business as usual for the French powerhouse. He gets stick for being technically shoddy, but on two occasions, he played deft chipped passes to get out of trouble at the back, which would have suited a pedigree playmaker. He nailed his favourite ‘inside-flick’ pass, too.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 6/10
Mostly solid, but did of course give away the penalty with a foul on the very exciting Zach Clough. Not his best game, but not his worse, either.
MR) Lazar Markovic – 6/10 (Borini – 65′)
One of the real downsides from the evening was that the Serb was withdrawn early injured, and we don’t yet know the extent of it. Didn’t have a great game offensively, but his pace was a real asset in defence.
ML) Alberto Moreno – 6/10
Similar to Markovic, in that he didn’t provide too much offensively, but was mostly solid at the back – except one glaring occasion when he failed to track a runner. As the game went on, his discipline and flank-hugging down the left created us width, which stretched the ten men of Bolton.
MC) Joe Allen – 4/10 (Sturridge – 70′)
It’s been difficult for Allen to find form as he’s very much second choice right now, but sadly for the Welshman – tonight’s performance won’t do his chances of winning a spot back any good. Below par.
MC) Steven Gerrard – 6/10
The captain marked his 700th appearance with a memorable win, but perhaps importantly, it was the youngsters who did the job of getting us out of trouble, which has traditionally been Gerrard’s task for over a decade.
AMRC) Adam Lallana – 5/10 (Henderson – 54′)
Mostly a passenger this evening, and was withdrawn for Jordan Henderson, who definitely improved our midfield. Lallana is not very long back from his injury though, and let’s hope he finds his best form soon.
AMLC) Coutinho – 9/10
Two consecutive 9/10s for Coutinho in our Player Ratings, and he’s more than deserved both. Although he’s been creatively superb recently, his goalscoring hasn’t matched his talent – but tonight he shut up doubters, and celebrated his new contract – with one fantastically curled winner. Stupendous!
FC) Raheem Sterling – 7/10
A fantastic finish from Sterling got us back in the game. Taking the ball over his shoulder, the 20-year-old slotted home first-time with his left-foot. Classy and clinical. When he’s deployed up top, that’s his job – and he did it.
Subs:
Jordan Henderson – 7/10 – Was desperate for Liverpool to get back into the game, and his passion and drive definitely helped us break down the ten men.
Fabio Borini – 5/10 – Did very little, and looked like he might have picked up an injury, too.
Daniel Sturridge – 6/10 – Only a short cameo, but we can’t wait until he’s back starting. He provides a focal point, and made one great run down the left which almost led to a goal.
