PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 2-1 NEWCASTLE UNITED

Liverpool came from behind to nick a 2-1 victory over Newcastle at Anfield. An early Isak goal gave the Magpies the lead at the break but goals from Firmino and a last gasp strike by Carvalho earned the Reds the win. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 5

Poor distribution. Not much he could do about the goal.

Alexander-Arnold – 3

Some of the things he gets away with is shocking. Terrible giveaway under no pressure leading to their goal. Made sone strange decisions today. Not much came off. Poor set pieces to boot.

Gomez – 5

Played Isak offside for his second finish. Dealt well enough with Joelinton and later Wood in the air. Silly decision to attempt a 30 yard volley in injury time.

Van Dijk – 5

Guilty of rushing it at times. Several diagonals were intercepted. He didn’t have many passes on into midfield so I guess that’s all he could do.

Robertson – 3.5

Poor, again. Zero end product. Gave the ball away loads.

Fabinho – 4

First hour he barely made any forward pass. He was targeted by the Newcastle press and he didn’t do enough to get around it. Constant sideways and backpasses. Isak cut inside him too easily to send him tumbling. Slashed wildly at two efforts late on.

Elliott – 7

The youngster was once again our best midfielder. We looked dangerous anytime he picked the ball up in the half space and drove central. Never gave up. Kept going and run his little legs off. Exquisite ball to Salah in the lead up to the equaliser.

Henderson – 2

Piss poor. Fast break early on and he had three red shirts breaking their necks to get into box. What did he do? Check back and pass to Fabinho. That set the tone for a woeful performance. He passed the ball straight to Longstaff for their goal as well, carrying on from his pass to Martial at Old Trafford. Took an age to go off when subbed.

Salah – 5

Anonymous. Bullied by Burn and Targett. Crazy how defenders are allowed to put him in a chokehold every game. Still popped up with two assists. You just can’t keep a good man down.

Firmino – 6

Some good bits, some untidy bits. Finished with aplomb when set up by Salah for the crucial equaliser. Must have played about three different positions late on.

Diaz – 5

Beat the keeper and skied his effort with the goal gaping. Saw another shot charged down late on. Has a habit of being unlucky infront of goal. Sick of the sight of him dribbling back towards his own goal. Needs to spend time in the box and not getting chalk on his boots out wide.

Substitutes

Milner – 5

Filled in at right back with Trent having a mare. Gave away a cheap free kick and tried to force the issue with even more crosses.

Tsimikas – 4

He’s coming on for Robertson every game now and outdoing the Scot in terms of woefulness.

Carvalho – 6.5

Why this kid keeps getting overlooked is beyond me. He looked our best player when he came on at Old Trafford and was again impressive off the bench against Bournemouth. Came off the bench tonight and won us the game with a sweet volley. He loves those.

Jürgen Klopp

I can understand going with the same team after that performance and result on Saturday. What I don’t get is the persistence with the team even when they’re clearly not performing. Subs could have come on earlier. Hopefully he takes the plunge and pick both teenagers in our midfield. They’re our shining light at the minute.