Who was your Man of the Match, Reds?
Liverpool picked up a crucial 2-0 win against Newcastle United this evening, taking us to within four points of fourth placed Manchester City.
Goals from Raheem Sterling and Joe Allen sealed the points against a rather uninspiring Toon outfit.
We deployed a 4-3-3, and kept another clean-sheet, despite some defensive mistakes that were thankfully not punished.
Check out the best moments, and read how we rated the players, right here.
GK) Simon Mignolet – 8/10
Came out and punched exceptionally, and made one especially impressive save from a header in the first-half, when Newcastle attacked against the run of play. Mignolet has more clean-sheets than any keeper in the top flight, and on this evidence, he won’t be replaced in the summer.
DR) Glen Johnson – 5/10
The fullback won himself a starting spot with a really good display against Blackburn, but tonight, he was terrible – and wouldn’t even have got a 5/10 had we not kept a clean-sheet. Gave the ball away continuously.
DL) Alberto Moreno – 6/10
The Spaniard put in a performance which typifies him. He offered an offensive overlapping option down the left throughout, but was defensively worrying – especially positionally. He needs to learn to not show the right winger or right back inside, and force them down the line instead.
DC) Dejan Lovren – 5/10
Incredibly lucky not to concede a penalty with the tackle seen here, Lovren looked clumsy, and very much like the centre-back who couldn’t finish a game without a blunder during the latter parts of 2014. Martin Skrtel will come straight back in, despite the clean-sheet.
DC) Emre Can – 7/10
A centre-back really shouldn’t be driving towards the opposition penalty box as much as our young German does, but it really worked this evening! Tonight was the first time Can has played as a centre-back in a back-four for us, and he did it well. Another string to his bow, apparently.
DMC) Lucas – 8/10
Did exactly the job required of him. Always in the right place tonight, Lucas mopped up, but also played some nice forward passes rather than easier sideways ones. He lets the rest of his teammates play. So underrated. Let’s hope that Moussa Sissoko’s horror challenge on him in the final minutes will not have caused an injury.
MC) Jordan Henderson – 7/10
The vice-captain’s assist for Sterling’s opener made it eight for the season, meaning only three players in the top flight have so far registered more. He was a real engine in the centre, and sprayed some lovely passes to either flank, too.
MC) Joe Allen – 7/10
The diminutive Welshman was mostly quiet, but stitched our play together, and most surprisingly, bagged a goal too! It was only his second ever in the Premier League for Liverpool. But did he do enough to keep his spot in the side for the FA Cup semi-final next weekend upon Steven Gerrard’s return from suspension? Probably not.
AMR) Jordon Ibe – 6/10 (Borini – 58′)
It was great to see the teenager back in action for us, but he was quiet, and withdrawn early on for Fabio Borini. Easily the quietest of the front-three, Ibe will do well to keep his spot in the side for the Wembley trip.
AML) Raheem Sterling – 7/10 (Lambert – 89′)
Took his goal brilliantly, missed an absolute sitter, and left to a rousing reception. A busy night for the most talked about footballer in England right now, certainly. Sterling’s link up play with Coutinho was brilliant, but his end product was lacking, bar the stunning opener.
FC) Coutinho – 9/10
Strangely used as a false-9 with Sterling on the left, Coutinho shone tonight, despite not scoring a goal or getting an assist. His passing, skills and vision were stunning – and he ran the game in the final third. Head and shoulders. So he’s getting a 9!
Subs:
Borini – 6/10 – Nothing to report.
Lambert – n/a