Liverpool player ratings v Watford: Allen shines, but Mignolet deserves staunch praise as well

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Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players following today’s 2-0 Anfield win against Watford.

GK) Simon Mignolet – 8/10

Playing because of a late injury to Danny Ward which unfortunately will keep the Welshman out of the rest of this season and Euro 2016, Mignolet made a simply phenomenal save off Odion Igalho which maintained his clean-sheet.

DR) Jon Flanagan – 6/10

Mostly solid defensively, but lacked a little composure on the ball and gave passes away when he should have helped us maintain possession. Good to see him back, though. A better option than Connor Randall, for sure.

DL) Alberto Moreno – 7/10 (Randall – 87′)

Had one crazy shot when he should’ve passed, but played well overall, providing energy, tackles and interceptions down the left.

DC) Martin Skrtel – 6/10

Largely untroubled, but dealt with Igalho and Troy Deeney tenfold better than he did in the reverse fixture, which we lost 3-0 at Vicarage Road.

DC) Lucas – 7/10

Our best defender today. Lucas headed everything delivered into the box, despite his average height, and proved he’s a more than reliable stand in at centre-back.

MC) Joe Allen – 8/10

Scored after getting on the end of a Benteke header, but it was Allen’s overall performance which impressed us most. The 26-year-old oozed class on the ball spraying passes at will, using his technique to manipulate space for himself and start attacks from deep.

MC) Kevin Stewart – 6/10

Not very gifted on the ball, and today it showed. Screens the back-four well, and played some decent simple passes, but sometimes cannot see the opportunity to spread play

AMR) Sheyi Ojo – 7/10 (Brannagan – 77′) 

Lively and full of running, Ojo is like many talented young wingers in that his end product is too inconsistent at the moment. Still, he showed promise, closing down a defender and winning us possession in the run up to Firmino’s goal.

AML) Coutinho – 7/10 (Firmino – 60′) 

A good performance which would have been top notch had it been capped with a goal, but our no.10 couldn’t slide home from six yards when it was easier to score. Saw lots of the ball on the left, linking up well with Ibe inside and Moreno outside him.

AMC) Jordon Ibe – 6/10

Playing a new position, Ibe showed some nice touches but ultimately didn’t create an awful lot from the pivotal no.10 position he was allowed for most of the game.

FC) Christian Benteke – 6/10

Knocked the ball down for Joe Allen’s opener, proving what he can do when he’s given aerial service. Bar that moment, Benteke didn’t offer much excitement in what could be one of his last Anfield performances if he leaves this summer.

SUBS:

Roberto Firmino – 7.5/10 – Scored a goal with a right-foot shot Gomes should’ve saved, but gave the ball away needlessly close to our own box when attempting tricks. Brazilians! So good to watch, however.

Cameron Brannagan – n/a 

Connor Randall – n/a

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