DMC) Joe Allen – 7 (Markovic -84′)
Some will be indifferent over Allen’s performance, as it lacked the dynamism of his midfield partners, but the Welshman ticked over our play, and zipped many forward (rather than the often accused sideways) passes into attackers. You still feel he lacks the physicality and power to play in defensive midfield next term though. Emre Can doesn’t.
MC) Jordan Henderson – 7
Dominated the Australian midfield with a tenacious attitude and clever passing. The captaincy seems to have boosted Henderson. Creatively he wasn’t at his best, but we didn’t need him to be.
MC) James Milner – 8 (Lucas -73′)
The best of the central midfield trio. Milner proved why he’s most effectively used in central areas with his goal – bursting into the box and tapping in from the kind of cross he was previously asked to put in himself during his Man City days.
