PLAYER RATINGS: RANGERS 1-7 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool came back from a goal down to absolutely rip Rangers to shreds at Ibrox tonight. Arfield handed the Gers the lead before a Bobby brace and a Darwin goal wrestled control back, with Salah netting a hat trick off the bench. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 6

Nothing he could do about the goal. It was arrowed into the bottom corner. Almost played himself into trouble when he attempted to dribble his man instead of get rid. Not troubled much.

Gomez – 6

Started well at right back and kept Kent quiet. Showed great pace to burst down the wing and set Bobby up for his second. Needs to cut out the silly errors from his game. Almost played a suicidal backpass to Alisson first half and should have been sent off late on when he fouled Morelos after taking too long to clear his lines.

Konaté – 8.5

Rock solid at the back on his first start since the Champions League final. Covered for Van Dijk excellently on a number of occasions and produced a huge goal saving block on Arfield’s fierce drive first half. A welcome return to action.

Van Dijk – 6

Looks a shell of the man we’ve become accustomed to over the years. At his best, he doesn’t even do clearances as he’d rather cushion the ball for a teammate. Tonight he was panicky and kept kicking it to touch. A safety first approach perhaps. Left for dead by Sakala second half.

Tsimikas – 5

Woeful against Sakala. Constantly caught wrong side. Poor in open play as well with his deliveries. Terrible direct free kick attempt. Best thing he did was the near post corner he swung in for the equaliser.

Fabinho – 7

Struggled first half till he settled down and started finding passes through the middle. Much better second half, like the rest of them. Picked up more of the second balls and was much more assured in possession.

Henderson – 6

Poor first half. Constantly gave the ball away as he panicked under pressure and just lumped it forward time after time. Slightly better after the break.

Elliott – 8

Only time we looked like creating from open play first half was when he picked it up in the half spaces and ran at the Rangers defence. Didn’t do enough of it though and was too quick to clear when the ball came to him. Settled down second half and ran the show. Deserved his goal after going close a few times before that.

Carvalho – 7

Played too square first half instead of on the half turn, just like against Brighton. This meant he was getting clattered every time he took a touch. Lost the ball for their goal. Curled one wide early on and saw more efforts blocked. Another who improved later in the game. Combined well with Jota and Robbo late on.

Firmino – 10

Dazzled tonight. Showed real leadership in the tough opening exchanges. He was the only one brave enough to get on the ball under pressure and try to play. Equalised from a corner when he proved too strong for Tavernier at the near post. Connected sweetly at the backpost with Gomez’s cross for his second and produced a filthy backheel flick for the assist to Darwin.

Darwin – 7

First half it was a thankless task up top as they kept lumping long balls at him to battle for. A battle he lost against the physical Goldson. That’s just not his game. Didn’t help himself with some poor passing of his own. Showed what he was all about when he tucked away his only chance of the game into the bottom corner with a first time finish.

Substitutes

Robertson – 7

Great to see him back in action. Full of energy as usual and bombed on to good effect. Kept Sakala quiet.

Thiago – 7.5

You could see the step up in quality when he came on in midfield. Lovely disguised pass to Salah in the build up to Harvey’s goal. Not shy to throw in a tackle either. Wonderful composure on the ball.

Salah – 10

A devastating cameo off the bench. Should have scored when played through by Thiago but hit his effort at McGregor. Didn’t miss again as he fired three clinical strikes past the 40 year old. Could have grabbed a fourth but tried to set up Jota. Great cross for Jota late on for Harvey’s goal. Welcome back.

Jota – 10

It may go under the radar but Diogo was unbelievable as well when he came on. A hat trick of assists for Salah as he bamboozled the hapless Gers defence. Showcased brilliant hold up play. Unlucky not to score.

Milner – N/A

On to fill in at right back with time running out, the role he had in mind coming into the campaign.

Jürgen Klopp

Went with a 4-4-2 setup again, this time with Elliott and Carvalho out wide and Bobby alongside Darwin. Gomez, Konaté and Fabinho came in for the injured Trent and Matip, whilst Thiago was rested.

His side responded well to going down yet again. Whatever he said at the break worked a trick as they set about destroying their opponents in the second half. Huge win means qualification is just a step away.