PLAYER RATINGS: LEICESTER 1-0 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool travelled to Leicester City and succumbed to their second defeat of the season. The Reds enjoyed most of the chances and even spurned a penalty. Their profligacy was punished second half by Lookman who came off the bench to win the game. Read on for player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 5

Had just one thing to do all game, and when it came time to do it, he failed. Beaten too easily at his near post for the only shot he faced all game.

Alexander-Arnold – 7

Was our best player first half. Created so many openings but none of his teammates could capitalise. Defended Iheanacho well enough. Second half he faded. Poor for their goal as Lookman just run off him and into the box to score. He kept probing but with the forwards having a stinker there wasn’t much he could do. Set pieces were on and off.

Matip – 7

Another who can lay claim to being our best player on the night. He was also culpable for the goal though, just allowing Lookman to nip infront of him and have a free shot at goal from just a few yards out. Since he had gotten wrong side, he couldn’t put in a tackle in fear of given away a penalty. Wandered upfield threateningly at times. One of these days he must just shoot after doing all the hard work. Huge block on Vardy first half.

Van Dijk – 7

Showed his pace whenever he got in a foot race with Vardy. Stopped several attacks when Iheanacho tried to beat him one on one. Had a chance to equalise late on but his loose first touch meant he had to take the shot with his left foot, which made it easier for Schmeichel.

Tsimikas – 5

Leicester afforded him all the space and freedom of the King Power and their gamble paid off. Kostas didn’t make use of it, constantly slowing down and seeing his cross charged down. Terrible deliveries from open play all night and his lack of energy to keep bombing on saw Robertson sorely missed. Key interception first half when Vardy looked set to pounce on a cross.

Fabinho – 7

Actually played well. Swept up any loose balls infront of the defence and kept the pressure on them by preventing them from breaking. Always nipped infront of his man to win the ball back. Surprised he was taken off so early. He didn’t look tired or anything but I guess coming back from a Covid infection, they’re trying to be careful with him.

Henderson – 6

Lots of perspiration, little inspiration. Run the channels and always offered himself as a passing option. He hit three volleys over and couldn’t get anything on a threatening Ox cross. Poor for their goal as he had no idea where Dewsbury-Hall was. He then failed to track Lookman’s run into the box. Not enough quality in the final third, try as he might.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5

Another letdown. Played ever so well in the Carabao Cup last Wednesday, gets his chance in the league tonight and it’s another damp squib of a performance. That’s happened so many times this season. I don’t remember him attempting a single shot. Played a few cute balls in behind, but with the pace and right foot he possesses, you expect more forcefulness.

Salah – 5.5

Terrible penalty, and an even worse attempt at a header on the rebound. Jumped into the ball to send it crashing against the bar when he should have timed his jump well to get over the ball and just cushion it home. Another frustrating night. Saw a smart effort tipped over first half. His decision making in and around the box wasn’t good enough.

Jota – 5

Terrible on the ball. Played some strange passes straight at the Leicester defence. Stabbed one shot wide first half and sent a couple of headers too wide. His one good pass saw him play Mané in for what should have been the opening goal. When he doesn’t score, he stinks the place out.

Mané – 4

If Jota was bad, then Mané was worse. The ball bounced off him all night and he made some terrible decisions inside the box. There’s no excusing that sitter he missed when he sent his shot over with Schmeichel beaten. Absolutely no excuse for a player of his calibre to be missing sitters like that. Looked dangerous late on when Keita fired passes into him with Amartey on his back. Couldn’t beat the Ghanaian.

Substitutes

Keita – 5

Another false dawn. With him and Ox it’s been the same story for years now. Unplayable one game, anonymous the next. Gave the ball away so many times when he came on. Got into the box and had a chance to shoot but shot straight at the defender infront of him.

Milner – 5

Not the sub you want to see when you’re chasing a game. He came on and got nowhere close to Lookman who just ran rings round him. Needs too many touches to bring the ball under control, and in games like this, every extra touch gives them a more time to regroup.

Firmino – 5

Another who was anonymous when he came on. Didn’t add anything extra to what was already on show. No shots. No real chances of note that he created. Just tippy tappy football infront of a Leicester defence who were comfortable dealing with it.

Jurgen Klopp

Went as strong as possible with Fabinho and Van Dijk both back in the team. Chose to give Ox the nod with Thiago ruled out. Can’t really fault him much when his forwards miss so many chances. He actually made the Keita – Ox sub very early. It didn’t work though and we were soon behind. The Milner – Fabinho sub must have been pre-planned. He switched to 4-2-3-1 late on but his side kept missing chances. I don’t know what he’s supposed to do when that happens.