PLAYER RATINGS: RB SALZBURG 1-0 LIVERPOOL

Guest Article: Written by Misheals

Liverpool took on Austrian outfit RB Salzburg in their penultimate pre-season fixture and a Sesko strike early in the first half saw them succumb to a defeat. Here are player ratings from the match.

Adrian

Made two or three solid stops in the first half. Nothing he could do about the opening goal. Looked assured with the ball at his feet and has done all summer. Didn’t command his box as well though.

Mabaya

Got in a few times and had three strikes at goal. First two were easy enough for the keeper and the third was a mishit cross which would have presented Darwin with a tap in. Needs to work on his positioning when defending but he hasn’t let himself down.

Konaté

Looked beastly.

Gomez

Mopped up at the back with his pace. He and Ibou were left exposed for their goal. Made one glaring error.

Milner

Decent shift. Sent back to Leeds after a filthy turn by Sesko but recovered to put in a crunching goal saving tackle minutes later. Sought to combine with Carvalho and wasn’t shy to go long to Darwin with one long diagonal seeing the big man test the keeper. The Milner at left back experiment has run its course.

Bajcetic

Some lovely touches. Isn’t afraid to receive a pass under pressure. Can definitely play. Caught up the pitch for their goal after an unsuccessful high press. He’s been a nice surprise this summer.

Keita

Spurred into life on a few occasions as he went on mazy dribbles. Sent one shot well wide and picked out Darwin with a fine pass over the top. His linkup with the big man was promising. Gave the ball away a few times. Looked tired as the half wore on, as did most.

Jones

Needs to grow quickly. At this stage he needs to be doing way more in influencing games. So much talent locked up, someone get a genie to open that bottle and let this boy emerge.

Elliott

A perfect foil for the right side, ensuring we’re witnessing two fearless youngsters ready to rough it up and add creativity to the ranks. We will get more from midfield next season with these boys. Not at his best tonight though.

Nunez

Typical industrious South American forward. Playing with better quality constantly should help him come around. Denied by some good blocks. Didn’t really receive much service. Frustrating to see him taken off when Trent and Robbo came on at the break.

Carvalho

This kid is always looking forward, trying to make things happen. He plays with a maturity that belies his age most times. Was roughed up tonight, with a few tasty tackles being thrown his way. He was almost bullied out of it.

Subs on at HT

Robertson

Finally a left back came on to play in the left back position and that side didn’t look as suspect as it did in the first 45.

Morton

A good run out for the youngster. I’m sure whichever club he’s getting loaned out to will be glad to have him. Did his bit in the centre and kept things simple.

Firmino

Brought on for Darwin. You can what you to expect from the Brazilian. Silky feet, coming in deep, to create spaces, leading the press, all of which were on show tonight. Should have scored when Carvalho won the ball back in the Salzburg box. Not as lethal as he used to be.

Subs on at 60′

Alexander-Arnold

We got to see more of his creativity. He took to the midfield when we were with the ball, as he does so often these days. He influenced play from central positions as and enjoyed the freedom to also go out wide to create width. His diagonals, breathless.

Matip

Our lanky intelligent Joel just fits like a glove beside his defensive partner. Those two ooze tranquility. His straight line running with the ball, deep into opposition territory always gives off the Agger vibe. Shoot more sonny, you do it in training.

Van Dijk

Finally some calm at the back, with Rolls-Royce diagonals to boot. I get scared everytime I imagine when he’ll retire. This man makes everyone look 2 levels better. Even Adrian looked calm with Virgil ahead of him.

Fabinho

The destroyer. Nicking the ball is his calling. Threw one Salzburg attacker to the ground like he was hulk against a minion, uncharacteristic of him, but I loved it (winks).

Henderson

He just knows how to operate on that right wing with Salah and Trent. Those three have made that side theirs. Kept things moving, wasn’t shy to get in the referees face when something needed to be said. Played a lovely reverse pass into Diaz which saw the keeper make a great save.

Thiago

Boss moves, controls play and sets the tone. Xavi Alonso-esque. Combative as well. You’d just love to watch him all day.

Salah

Caused problems down the right, but was guilty of trying to do a bit too much at times. Could have squared one chance for a Firmino tap in but went for goal with his weaker foot. He’ll come good as the season commences, he always does.

Diaz

He’s naturally a winger, he’ll have to keep honing that inside forward skills. He’s lithe on the ball and a handful for defenses. I wouldn’t want to face him more than twice every season. Needs to be more ruthless in front of goal though. Saw one chalked off for offside and was denied a pen at the death.

All in all, a good run out. The intensity levels were stepped up with those subs on the hour mark. Salzburg held their own and defended well. On another day, it could have been 5 or more for the Reds, let’s hope the boys are saving their goals for the City match.

This is more like where we want to be physically and I’m sure Klopp will be satisfied with what he’s seen, even though for the sake of the fans, it would have been nice to put one or two chances away.

It’s back to the UK now as the Reds bring their training camp to an end. The preparations will continue ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City, which is just three days away.