PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 2-0 LEICESTER CITY

Liverpool hosted Leicester City at Anfield and powered to a 2-0 victory. Goals from Diogo Jota in either half separated the two sides as Kasper Schmeichel made some stunning saves to keep the scoreline respectable in the end. Read on for player ratings from the encounter:

Alisson – 7

Great save from Maddison’s early shot after a swift counter, could have been going wide but he wasn’t to know that. Didn’t have much to do after that. A welcome return and a clean sheet.

Alexander-Arnold – 7.5

Stung Schmeichel’s palm with a left footed shot early on. Started the game strongly, with an early through pass almost setting Diaz away. Swung in the corner that led to the opening goal. Dealt with Lookman and later Barnes well enough the rare occasions they attacked.

Matip – 7

A first game for Joel in almost three weeks and it showed at times. Failed to track Maddison’s run for their only real chance of the game. Grew into the game however and slipped Jota in for the second goal. It was a really lovely pass, perfectly threaded through Ndidi’s legs. Sold Van Dijk short with a pass late on that led to Leicester winning a corner. Klopp was furious.

Van Dijk – 8.5

Unflappable at the back yet again. Was always switched on to the runners in behind and always tracked them to intercept the pass before it got through. That meant Daka was a mere spectator. Powerful header was parried to Jota for the opener as he escaped his marker in the box. Really good performance tonight. Cleared one awkward cross underneath his own crossbar late on with Iheanacho lurking.

Robertson – 7

Put in some dangerous deliveries tonight. Was unlucky not to get on the end of Trent’s cross as he collided into the post. Shook off the knock and continued his enthralling battle with Albrighton. Combined well with Diaz at times. Could be the start of a promising partnership down that left flank.

Fabinho – 9

Thought he was incredible in the middle of the pitch. Completely bossed proceedings as he snuffed out attacks and set us on the way with probing passes. Was unlucky not to get a tap in after Schmeichel parried Diaz’s shot. Solid display infront of the defence as he resumed his unbeatable combination with Thiago.

Thiago – 9

Another who was incredible in midfield. Such a classy operator and he left the Kop in awe with a lovely pirouette away from two men first half. Always assured in possession and with an eye for the final ball. His work out of possession was impressive too. Tracked back and made one crucial clearance after a cross had come in from the wing. If he can stay fit, there’s no limit to what this side can achieve.

Jones – 6

A performance similar to Cardiff on Sunday. Caught on the ball one too many times. That side of his game still needs work as he can be guilty of hogging possession. It wasn’t a terrible performance by any stretch of the imagination, it was an okay one. With the competition fierce right now, okay won’t cut it. Subbed early.

Jota – 9.5

Johnny on the spot again tonight. Right place, right time and the right finish both times. Thought he wasn’t getting into the game enough on the right wing early on. He interchanged with Diaz and Firmino though and got right in the thick of it. Relentless goalscorer. Two instinctive poacher’s finishes.

Firmino – 6.5

Similar to Jones in that it was a repeat of the Cardiff performance. Worked hard, pressed well at times but his work in possession left a lot to be desired. Played his side into trouble at times. Had two pops at goal but both were straight down the keeper’s throat. He’s another who can ill afford ‘okay’ performances with the competition for places heating up.

Diaz – 8

He was absolutely brilliant right from the first whistle. He looks so good on the ball in the way he was able to wriggle out of tight spots. Has fit into the team like a glove already by the looks of things. His appreciation for where to run, when to press and the kind of movements to make look natural. So unlucky not to net on his full debut with Schmeichel making two excellent saves to deny him. Kept Justin honest throughout.

Substitutes

Elliott – 6.5

A bit tentative when he came on and was caught on the ball once or twice. Sought to combine with Salah at every opportunity and played a good slide rule pass into Diaz in the lead up to the second goal.

Salah – 8

Like a man possessed when he came on as he went on a one man mission to kill off the game. Crashed one sweet curler off the crossbar and saw Schmeichel deny him a few other times. Slipped one ball through to give Diaz a big chance. His close control and wriggling ability in tight spaces were exceptional.

Minamino – N/A

Came on late on as just reward for his performance on Sunday.

Jürgen Klopp

The gaffer went with a strong lineup choosing to hand Diaz a full debut. He saw his side go 1-0 up at the break and didn’t hang about second half to make an alteration, with a double substitution right on the hour mark. With the depth available to him now, it’s something we will see a lot more of. 2-0, job done.