Liverpool eased to a 4-0 victory over Thai All Stars today, and in truth, it was about as comfortable a pre-season fixture can be – despite the heat and humidity in which we were playing the game.
We put out two different sides per half, and here’s how the players did in each.
It’s important not to read too much into the performances, as it was so incredibly easy, but it was a good runout for the lads nonetheless.
Liverpool 1st half XI:
GK) Adam Bogdan – 6
Literally the easiest debut a player can ever have. Not sure he touched the ball.
DR) Joe Gomez – 7
Physically impressive. Overlapped consistently and didn’t look at all fazed by making his Liverpool debut aged 18.
DL) Andre Wisdom – 6
Uncompromising in an unnatural left-back position. The Thai attack never caused him any trouble.
DC) Mamadou Sakho – 7
Made one solid block and played sharp passes into central midfield instead of easier, simple sideways ones. Took his headed goal very well, although he wasn’t challenged at all from Teixeira’s corner.
DC) Kolo Toure – 6
Untroubled. Strolled through the first 45 at a leisurely pace.
DMC) Lucas – 7
Far too easy for the Brazilian in the anchorman role. Never pressured when on the ball, and waltzed his way through the 45
MRC) Jordan Rossiter – 5
The young central midfielder struggled in honesty, giving the ball away too often and attempting over ambitious passes.
MLC) Joao Teixeira – 8
One of the two best players of the first-half alongside the opening goalscorer. The young Portuguese linked up very well with Markovic, using his body well to keep the ball when the Thais pressured him. Assisted both goals – the first with a through-ball and the second with a corner.
AMC) Lazar Markovic – 8
Shone in a pivotal no.10 role against players who were simply not on his level. Picked up possession in clever positions, beat men and bagged the opener having rounded the keeper.
FC) Danny Ings – 7
Lively. Worked hard, had a goal unfairly disallowed and looked sharp.
FC) Rickie Lambert – 5
Pretty lethargic in truth, but did play one nice through-ball for Jordan Rossiter.
Liverpool 2nd half XI
GK) Simon Mignolet – 6
Had almost as little to do as Bogdan in the first-half, if that’s possible.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne – 6
Most of Liverpool’s good work in the second half came down the right, and he played a large part in this. Comfortable defensively, even in the pouring tropical rain. Played many neat passes through to onrushing midfielders – but was also guilty of giving away possession when he tried to dribble.
DL) Joe Maguire – 6
The least experienced Liverpool player on the pitch, Maguire was solid if unspectacular. Put in one almost perfect cross for Origi.
DC) Dejan Lovren – 5
We didn’t really need to play with four defenders in the second-half, and Lovren was barely noticeable. The least impressive of the four centre-backs who played.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 6
Headed the ball onto the bar during Thai All-Star’s only threatening attack of the match. Still spent the entire half hollering at his team-mates despite the ease in which we waltzed through the game.
MC) Joe Allen – 6
Did his job, but was never pressed, and in reality just made six yard passes to nearby team-mates. Booked.
MC) Jordan Henderson – 8
A beautiful rabona assist for Liverpool’s third – Henderson was far too fit, far too hungry and far too good for the opposition, simply.
MC) James Milner – 7
Playing on the right of the midfield three, Milner played a box-to-box roll, helping tick over possession as we completely dominated the ball.
AMR) Jordon Ibe – 6
The Thai defenders doubled up on Ibe, who knows he has a huge season ahead of him with Sterling leaving to join Man. City. He attempted many dribbles, but it became almost impossible to run with the ball as the pitch became waterlogged.
AML) Adam Lallana – 7
Lallana’s touch for his goal was poor – but such was the incompetency of the opposition- he had time to get the ball out of his feet and finish with his left. Constantly looked to break beyond the defence, but feed team-mates through on goal when he had the ball himself.
FC) Divock Origi – 7
Lively start from the young Belgian. Perhaps should have scored at the near post, but couldn’t quite get his foot to the ball with the goal gaping. Hit the post after neat link up with Henderson, forced an excellent save from close range, missed two more chances, doing everything right apart from finishing it off, then hit the post again. Finally got his much deserved goal with a late header from a corner.