Following our penalty shoot-out win versus Carlisle, we only managed to give two players a rating above six. The keeper and the goalscorer.
The rest were very, very poor – and we think these ratings reflect as much.
GK) Adam Bogdan – 7
Won us the shoot-out, but the penalties aimed at him reeked of tired, nervous League Two footballers. Should have done better for the Carlisle goal.
DRC) Emre Can – 6
Bagged his penalty with aplomb and was constantly involved. Never troubled defensively.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 5
Missed some lunging tackles and was beaten to the ball when trying to nick it from Carlisle attackers.
DLC) Dejan Lovren – 5
Out of position for the Carlisle goal, and stretchered off at the death with what looks a horrible injury. We wish him a speedy recovery.
WBR) Nathaniel Clyne – 5 (Ibe – 86′)
Is a better right-back than he is a wing-back. He’s a defender first and an attacker second, so at home to Carlisle, his strengths were not utilised.
WBL) Alberto Moreno – 6
Started really well on the left, but as the side lost its tempo, Moreno lose his ‘oomph’ too.
MC) James Milner – 4
Really lacked quality. Worked hard, but for what? Against Carlisle, we need central midfielders who can make things happen. Steven Gerrard would have ran the game last night.
MC) Joe Allen – 5 (Coutinho 64′)
With all our injury problems, it’s good to have another option back in central midfield. Allen was heavily involved, but didn’t do anything creatively.
AMC) Roberto Firmino – 5 (Origi 35′)
Started brightly, but frustratingly limped off with a back injury he couldn’t overcome. Firmino has not started life on Merseyside well. At all.
AMC) Adam Lallana – 6
Assisted Ings’ goal and was our best player in the first half. But we needed someone to provide a moment of genuine class in the second-half. He failed, and took a rubbish penalty too.
FC) Danny Ings – 7
The Kop sang his name throughout. Ings, is quickly becoming our best summer signing – and nobody would have predicted as much in August. Scored his second goal in as many games and will start at the weekend.
SUBS:
Divock Origi – 5
Played the equivalent of a 90 minutes with Extra Time, but was wasteful.
Coutinho – 5
Poor, in truth. Picked the ball up and fired shots high and wide. But you have to feel for him. He’s trying to do it on his own.
Jordon Ibe – 6
Toiled down the right but didn’t create anything to hurt the League Two battlers.
