Another pre-season win and another solid performance. We saw less changes in the second half than we have done in previous games, with Jurgen Klopp clearly trying to give a few of his regular starters for next season more time to play together again.
Goals from Marko Grujic and Alberto Moreno sealed a 2-0 win, and here’s how we rated the players from the first and second halves:
First half:
GK) Loris Karius – 7.0
Barely troubled as predicted, but made one fantastic and acrobatic save when a powerful shot was fired towards goal.
RB) Connor Randall – 6.5
Defensively solid, albeit relatively untroubled, going forward he was rather hit and miss.
LB) Alberto Moreno – 7.0
For all the criticism he’s received, Moreno is still a quality full-back who excels in many areas. He’s one of the best attacking left-backs around, and he showed that with his pace and forward threat in the first half.
CB) Dejan Lovren – 6.0
Didn’t do much wrong, but the Huddersfield forwards caused our central defenders a few more issues than they would have liked.
CB) Lucas Leiva – 6.0
A solid first half display, leading the troops and playing the ball out from the back well.
DM) Kevin Stewart – 6.5
A no nonsense performance from a no nonsense player. He sits back well and protects his teammates, putting in some great tackles to boot.
CM) Ovie Ejaria – 6.0
Loves to take players on and prove he can beat a man, but he needs to work on his end product once he’s actually gotten past a player or two.
CAM) Marko Grujic – 8.5
Another goal for the Serbian andd another impressive display. It was a great finish and despite his tender age he could be a really big player for us this season.
RAM) Sadio Mane – 8.0
A number of great runs and fantastic bits of skill. He was too much for Huddersfield to handle at times, and not only should he have had a goal that was incorrectly chalked off, he also earned a penalty.
LAM) Philippe Coutinho – 7.5
Fantastic as usual, let down only by his missed penalty. His clever one-twos and combination passing made us a constant threat, and he was generally just superb.
ST) Roberto Firmino – 7.0
Not quite at his best, but still a decent performance. When he’s up front he likes to drop deeper and move wide to link up with his teammates, which he did excellently.
Second half:
GK) Loris Karius – 6.0
Even less to do in the second half, but when called upon he was there.
RB) Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5
Solid both going forward and defensively, showing his versatility. He got forward well, and was never wasteful with the ball.
LB) Alberto Moreno – 7.0
Just as good in the second half as he was in the first, and scored a penalty to top it off.
CB) Andre Wisdom – 6.5
Although his future may well lie elsewhere, it’s great that with our current injuries we know Wisdom can fill in if needed.
CB) Dejan Lovren – 6.0
More of the same from Lovren, who was solid but not spectacular.
DM) Kevin Stewart – 7.0
Arguably even better in the second half, marshalling the midfield well and keeping things tight.
CM) Lucas – N/A
Was really unfortunate to pick up what looked like a hamstring problem in the second half, and was forced off.
CM) Ben Woodburn – 6.5
Started further up the pitch, but was forced into midfield after Lucas’ injury. Didn’t have as much of an impact as he’d have liked.
CAM) Ryan Kent – 7.0
The formation was thrown into chaos a little bit when Lucas was forced off, but Ryan Kent did well with what he had. Always looking to get forward and create for either himself or his teammates.
CAM) Lazar Markovic – 5.5
Yet again he was pretty uninspiring, and is yet to do anything to suggest he deserves a place in the team.
ST) Danny Ings – 6.5
Solid, but nothing special.
Substitute) Shamal George – N/A
No rating would be good enough for this young goalkeeper, who made his first appearance of pre-season as a striker. Outstanding.