Markovic, Gerrard and Balotelli secure points for Reds…
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Twitter literally exploded when Mario Balotelli scored tonight…
(Video) Mario Balotelli’s goal for Liverpool v Tottenham!
GK) Simon Mignolet – 7
Could have arguably done better for Harry Kane’s first, but made up for it with a genuinely incredible save from an Erik Lamela drive… Held on to some long range drives well too, and cannot be faulted for Tottenham’s 2nd – which was offside. Should get credit for his distribution for our opener, also.
DRC) Emre Can – 9
Our Man of the Match… The German was typically cool and composed on the ball when used on the right of the back-three, although there were small question marks raised by some about his positioning for Kane’s goal. Still, his tackling, his passing – and his brilliant cameo in central midfield has left us gagging for more. Can’s going to be, and probably already is, a really brilliant footballer.
DLC) Mamadou Sakho – 6
A bit nervy, especially in the first-half – and was booked for rugby tackle on Mousa Dembele after he lost possession! Defended bravely late on.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 7
Liverpool fans take Skrtel for granted, sometimes. Tonight, he was defensively flawless, against the top flight’s in-form striker.
MR) Jordon Ibe – 8
19-years-old, making his second Premier League start of the season, and it looked like Ibe’d been playing at right wing-back for four or five years. Dribbled well, worked hard, and played the full 90. A genuinely important member of our first-team squad, now – and somebody Danny Rose won’t want to see any time soon.
ML) Alberto Moreno – 8
A constant, tireless presence up the left – both offensively and defensively – which is exactly what we ask of our the Spaniard. A great signing.
MC) Steven Gerrard – 6 (Lovren – 68′)
Struggled to deal with the pace of the game, as his first five-yards are now laboured. However, he bagged his penalty with typical aplomb, so we’re marking him up one.
MC) Jordan Henderson – 6
Like Gerrard, struggled to have a proper influence centrally – and was helped when Can moved into the middle in the second.
AMRC) Lazar Markovic – 6 ( Lallana – 79′)
The young Serb was selected in his natural role in attacking midfield rather than wing-back, and he paid his manager back with the game’s opening goal. After that though, his end product was a little lapse.
AMLC) Coutinho – 6
In recent months, the Brazilian’s run virtually every match – and if anything, we should be pleased that we still bagged three goals with Coutinho off colour, and Raheem Sterling unavailable injured.
FC) Daniel Sturridge – 7 ( Balotelli – 74′)
Sturridge’s runs and movement were superb, and he showed exactly why we’ve missed him so much. In the first-half, he could have bagged a hat-trick, missing two one-on-ones and hitting the post. He won the penalty though, and left to a standing ovation.
SUBS:
Dejan Lovren – 6 – Fair play. No mistakes from the Croat when replacing Gerrard.
Adam Lallana – 6 – Assisted the winner. Can’t ask anymore.
Mario Balotelli – 7 – Finally, broke his Liverpool Premier League duck. Get in!
