No Liverpool player has scored higher than 7.5, as the Reds somehow managed to draw against seriously average Swiss outfit FC Sion in the Europa League.
Here’s how we rated the players…
GK) Simon Mignolet – 5.5
Punched when he should have caught, and didn’t distribute quickly enough. Did make a save to keep us in the game though, but he’s visibly low on confidence, akin to how he started last season in such miserable fashion. Top keepers simply can’t be ‘confidence players’.
DRC) Emre Can – 5.5
It seems like Can is struggling to push on from his promising debut Liverpool season. He wants to play in midfield, but frankly has done nothing in that position to suggest he warrants a start there yet. Last night, he showed flashes of excellence, mostly when used as a makeshift libero, but still made some clumsy decisions.
DC) Kolo Toure – 6 (Sakho – 76′)
Hit the bar with a bicycle kick and unlike Martin Skrtel, communicated with his defence – but his movement is so restricted. It’s five years too late for Kolo, as much as we love him.
DLC) Joe Gomez – 6
Would’ve scored higher as he was composed in possession and made some important tackles, but he was out of position for the goal, allowing Assifuah to slip between himself and the defensively naive Jordon Ibe down the left.
WBR) Nathaniel Clyne – 4.5 (Moreno – 45′)
A stinker from Clyne, sadly – during his 45 minute cameo. At least he was withdrawn at half-time and will hopefully be fresh for the weekend. Barely completed any of his passes. So much better as a natural right-back in a four man defence.
WBL) Jordon Ibe – 4.5
Is it fair to be this harsh on Ibe? He’s being asked to play a role that combines defensive and offensive responsibility and it just doesn’t suit him. But he was woeful. Ran into blind alleys, showed no game intelligence or creativity.
MC) Joe Allen – 5
Couldn’t keep the ball for love nor money, but was the only player who looked capable of creating chances other than Adam Lallana. Overall though, not good enough.
MC) Jordan Rossiter – 6
Ticked over possession sweetly, as he regularly does – but he needs to be playing with players capable of changing the game for him to stand out. He passed simply but well, and got stuck in. Decent.
AMC) Adam Lallana – 7.5
Scored early on and created a guilt-edged chance for Danny Ings in a very assured first-half performance where talent wise, he looked head and shoulders above his counterparts. But Lallana fluffed his chance to win the game when he simply had to score. £26m footballers must score in those situations.
FC) Danny Ings – 5.5 (Coutinho – 61′)
Toiled hard, but lacked the quality in the final third he’s shown in recent weeks. Will likely start the derby on Sunday, where he’ll need to show a little more.
FC) Divock Origi – 6
Made the first goal after some direct running and pace down the right, but showed that for all his promise, he’s a poor, poor finisher. Fluffed two one-on-ones, and needs some serious work on his goalscoring in training.
SUBS:
Sakho – 6 – Did nothing wrong in his cameo.
Moreno – 6 – Whipped in some nice crosses from the left.
Coutinho – 5 – Couldn’t change the game, but had no class to work with.
