What an afternoon!
It looked like it could be a long one when we went down in the fourth minute to a Ramires opener, but Liverpool grabbed a deserved equaliser at the end of the first-half before scoring two in the second.
We honestly had forgotten what it felt like to win a match of this size in such style, and we hope these player ratings reflect it!
GK) Simon Mignolet – 6.5/10
To be fair, barely troubled. Got a hand to Ramires’s header, but it would have been a truly extraordinary save if he’d have kept it out.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne – 7.5/10
Makes good decisions and has great pace and power, even if his passing was slightly off. Dealt with Eden Hazard, who was subbed off early, very well.
DL) Alberto Moreno – 6.5/10
Very poor defending for Chelsea’s opener, but luckily his team-mates made up for it. Going forward, the Spaniard made some terrific bursts.
DC) Mamadou Sakho – 8/10
Won all of his headers, made important blocks and completed his passes. Made some superb long balls out to the right flank, and a punt to Benteke resulted in our third.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 8/10
Had Diego Costa in his pocket and could have got the Spaniard sent off if he’d reacted more to Costa’s 2nd half kick. His partnership with Sakho has been questioned in the past, but today, they were outstanding.
MC) Lucas – 6.5/10
Mourinho thinks he should have been sent off for two yellows, but his second foul was a nothing challenge. Lucas got stuck in all afternoon, but sometimes it just didn’t run for him. In terms of heart and effort, he was brilliant.
MLC) Emre Can – 7/10
A lung-busting performance from the young German, who worked unbelievably hard. Yes, he gave the ball away too much and sometimes needs to turn his brain on, but the talent is visibly there. Let’s hope Klopp can hone it.
MRC) James Milner – 6/10 (Benteke – 64′)
Wasn’t the skipper’s day today. His end product was nil and he gave the ball away too much. Nobody will mind, of course.
AMLC) Coutinho – 9/10
Our best player has been quiet since the opening day of the season, but today, he showed us why he’s so highly rated. First, he curls in a beautiful opener with his left, and then he wins the game with a curled effort on his right – leaving defenders standing still on both occasions. When the match was won, his passing and flicks were a joy to behold.
AMRC) Adam Lallana – 7/10 (Lovren – 91′)
A decent outing from Lallana who joined up with Coutinho and Firmino in the first-half, playing tidy triangles and helping us dominate space and possession. He had a chance when we were one goal behind but shot straight at Begovic.
FC) Roberto Firmino – 7/10 ( Ibe – 76′)
Very good in the first half, when he won the ball high up the pitch on two occasions and had an effort on goal. Linked up will with Coutinho especially, and although he faded in the frantic second, Klopp’ll be pleased with his effort as a centre-forward.
Subs:
Lovren – n/a
Ibe – 7/10 – Really lively down the right. Skinned a fullback and was a few feet from scoring after cutting in from the right.
Benteke – 8/10 – What a cameo. Made Coutinho’s goal by chesting down a long ball and laying it on a plate for the Brazilian, before cleverly killing the game off with a right foot finish. He’s surely ready to start from here on in.
