Liverpool lost 1-0 to Villarreal this evening, thanks to a 90th minute from Adrian Lopez.
Here’s how we rated the players.
GK) Simon Mignolet – 7/10
Untroubled in the first-half, Mignolet pulled off one of the best saves he’s managed all season with the game poised at 0-0 off a Bakambu curler. Sadly, he could do nothing about Adrian Lopez’s tap-in a few minutes later.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne – 6/10
Had lots of space down the right as the Spaniards were compact and narrow, but couldn’t find anyone with his crosses. Poor end product from the right-back tonight.
DL) Alberto Moreno – 7/10
A constant presence up the left, making a few timely blocks as well, Moreno wore his heart on his sleeve tonight – but couldn’t win us the game at the end when through on goal. All he needed to do was square the ball but he couldn’t get his head up to see.
DC) Dejan Lovren – 7/10
Leading the defence, Lovren was mostly imperious, and would have had a deserved clean-sheet under his belt had we not thrown away our decent 0-0 result at the end.
DC) Kolo Toure – 6/10
We didn’t miss Mamadou Sakho this evening with the Ivorian playing, but Toure couldn’t get quite close enough to Denis Suarez at the death, who squared for Lopez to tap into an empty net.
DMC) Lucas – 6/10
Solid at the base of midfield, but Lucas rushed out to try and win a ball which left his team-mates stranded at the death. Let’s hope Villarreal’s goal won’t cost us a spot in the final.
MC) Joe Allen – 7/10
Allen had a guilt-edged chance in the 4th minute but shot straight at the keeper from 12 yards. Other than the miss, the Welshman made tackles, interceptions and neat passes – but missed his opportunity to give us a crucial early lead. Tidy, tenacious, but not decisive when we needed him to be most.
MC) James Milner – 8/10
A true captain’s performance. Milner covered every blade of grass and battled heroically. Nobody can question his commitment this evening, and he showed moments of guile and quality too.
AMRC) Adam Lallana – 5/10
Could have won us the game but the assistant unfairly blew for offside when he was through on goal. Other than that, Lallana’s neatness led to little.
AMLC) Coutinho – 5/10 (Ibe – 45′)
Illness meant Coutinho left the field at half-time, but we’re just thankful it wasn’t an injury. Not effective during his 45 minutes. At all in fact.
FC) Roberto Firmino – 5/10 (Benteke – 45′)
Worked hard and did show some lovely touches, but gave the ball on too many occasions and looked lethargic when we needed energy. Hit the post in the second, but Klopp needed to bring Daniel Sturridge on in his place. He didn’t, much to the confusion of supporters.
SUBS:
Jordon Ibe – 5/10 – Not brave enough on the ball.
Christian Benteke – n/a