PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 2-0 WATFORD

Liverpool moved top of the Premier League table with a hard fought win over Roy Hodgson’s Watford. Diogo Jota gave the Reds the lead with a glancing header in the first half before a late Fabinho penalty sealed the victory. Here are player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 7.5

Huge save from Kucka after he went clean through. That was the turning point of the game as the Reds went up the other end and opened the scoring. Alisson was assured throughout. He was cleaned out by Cucho after dawdling on the ball first half. He goes top in the race for the Golden Glove.

Gomez – 7.5

Morphed into Trent with a wicked delivery for Jota to open the scoring. It was an assist Trent would have been proud of. He put in another excellent cross early in the second half only for Kabesele to brilliantly put it behind for a corner. Gomez was solid throughout but did give away some sloppy free kicks. He was effective up and down the right flank.

Matip – 7

Steady throughout, dealt with any little threat posed with minimum fuss. Wasn’t as marauding as he can be today but that wasn’t required in the end.

Van Dijk – 7

Solid. Headed one corner wide. Tracked Sarr’s runs in behind really well. Another clean sheet.

Robertson – 6

Thought his deliveries today were shocking. Corner after corner after corner and more often than not, they were easily cleared. Was picked out in a great position second half but his cutback was straight into Foster’s arms with teammates waiting for a tap in. Was otherwise solid defensively.

Henderson – 6

Thought he could have been much better on the ball. His distribution, especially going forward, was not up to the usual standards. He drew groans from the Kop after panicking under no pressure and hoofing the ball straight back to Foster late on. Worked hard in midfield in closing down and counter pressing.

Jones – 5.5

Started sloppily, gave the ball away a couple of times. Didn’t get much better from there as his decision making let him down time and again. Chose to shoot from range on two occasions with teammates in better positions. He’s had a number of displays like this where he doesn’t deliver. Needs to step it up with the competition for places in midfield.

Thiago – 8.5

MOTM. From the very first whistle he was on it. Played some lovely disguised passes through the lines. Was tigerish outside of possession too with his ball winning ability and battling qualities. Tired late on and passed straight to Sarr for a breakaway. Given a breather after that. We need him in cotton wool till that game at the Etihad!

Salah – 5.5

Not at the races today. Tried to do too much at times with nothing coming off. Was too easily shackled by Kamara. Rightly taken off. It’s now eight games for club and country without a goal from open play. He didn’t manage a single shot on target today. Perhaps a sign of all the minutes he’s played catching up to him.

Firmino – 6

Was at his best out of possession. He worked so hard to nick the ball back whenever it was lost. In possession, he didn’t quite do enough. Surprised he lasted the full ninety as his influence had long waned in the second half. Had a chance on the break late on but he had no confidence to go on and finish. He kept looking back for support and ended up playing a poor pass wide for Mané.

Jota – 7.5

His passing can leave you frustrated at times but he’s a killer in the box. He attacked Gomez’s cross like an old fashioned number nine and glanced it home for his 20th goal of the season for the club in all competitions. Denied by Foster late in the first half. Created a few openings for Firmino and Mané second half.

Substitutes

Fabinho – 7

Came on for the last half hour in place of Jones. Halted a counter like only he can after Gomez had passed straight to Cucho on the halfway line. Dinked a lovely ball over the top for Salah to head just over. Pressure penalty late on and he put it in the top corner. Boss.

Mané – 5.5

Came on for Salah on the right wing. Got on the end of two half chances but couldn’t apply the finish. The first one he screwed wide with his left foot, before failing to get enough on the second to take it round Foster.

Milner – N/A

On for Thiago in added time to help see it out.

Jürgen Klopp

The manager made 4 changes to the side that beat Arsenal at the Emirates. Gomez came in for Trent at right back, with the Scouser only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench. Jones came in for Fabinho in midfield, with Firmino and Salah starting ahead of Mané and Diaz.

His side went in at the break with a goal advantage and he made an early change second half, bringing Fabinho on for Jones (who might have picked up a knock). Mané for Salah was the right change as well with Mo struggling. Kept the last sub in his back pocket till the game was made safe, at which point Milner came on.

10 league wins in a row! Back to the top of the table. Pressure now on City to go and win at Turf Moor. Just the kind of start we needed ahead of this run of games.