Liverpool cruised to their third win of pre-season so far, with goals from James Milner and Danny Ings securing a 2-0 victory over Adelaide United.
Here’s how we rated the guys.
GK) Simon Mignolet – 6
Another ridiculously easy afternoon the Belgian. You don’t even need an entire hand to count the number of proper saves he’s made this pre-season.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne – 7
His burst forward for Danny Ings’ goal was reminiscent of the best attacking right-backs. Running with the ball like Glen Johnson (in his prime) regularly did, Clyne then managed to thread a delicate through-ball into his fellow new signing.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 6
Untroubled, but solid – like most of Skrtel’s best defensive displays. Tackled strongly and passed simply into midfield.
DC) Dejan Lovren – 6
Missed a guilt-edged headed chance in the opposition area, but did everything he had to defensively with minimal fuss. Still not proving that he should be in the side ahead of Mamadou Sakho.
DL) Joe Gomez – 8 (Moreno -45′)
Subbed after 45, but again did enough to get Liverpool fans purring over the £3.5m signing world-wide. Made countless telling runs up the left flank, turning an Adelaide wide-man inside out in the process during one. To think – he’s 18-years-old – and naturally a centre-half.
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.
AMR) Jordon Ibe – 8
Ibe’s proving to be a conventionally superb right winger. While most wide-men these days play on the opposite flank to maximise shooting chances, Ibe prefers to isolate the left-back and get to the byline, where he’s got the ability to provide. His assist for Milner’s opener proved he can cross. One of the stars of pre-season so far.
AML) Adam Lallana – 6
Not as blistering as Ibe on the opposite flank, Lallana was neater and prefers to use trickery than raw pace and power to unlock defences. Didn’t quite click for him, but he’ll be a key part of the squad if he can stay fit.
FC) Divock Origi – 5 (Ings – 68′)
The Belgian’s talent is very raw – almost too raw right now. He’s terrifically skilful and demands the ball at all times, but his decision making and finishing was poor. We’ll be eagerly watching his progress all term.
Subs:
Alberto Moreno – 6
Not as impressive as Gomez in the first-half, who is arguably now favourite to start the season at left-back.
Danny Ings – 7
Took his goal like the clinical striker he hopefully will become for us, latching on to a Nathaniel Clyne through-ball and rounding the keeper.
Lucas – 6
Composed, disciplined, nothing else to report.
Lazar Markovic – n/a
No time to do anything.
