PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 1-0 MANCHESTER CITY

Liverpool turned over Manchester City at Anfield today, with Mohamed Salah netting the only goal of the game. A pulsating encounter was decided by a breakaway goal midway through the second half. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 10

Stood up tall to Haaland today. Twice he was quick off his line to make the save. Excellent positioning saw him make one save from a powerful header look routine. Most impressive save was late on when he had to readjust to his right to palm the ball away with Haaland aiming for the bottom corner. What a pass to Salah for the goal!

Milner – 9

Incredible today despite many fearing for him up against quick attackers. Rolled back the years with a rock solid display at right back. Kept Foden under wraps pretty much. Bailed Gomez out of a tight spot late on.

Gomez – 10

Wow. That was vintage Gomez. This is the Joe we became used to in the title winning season. Shackled Haaland throughout in an accomplished showing. He utilised his pace to get out wide to cover Milner whenever Foden threatened to run in behind. Got a crucial touch on Haaland’s header in stoppage time. Played some wonderful passes forward as well.

Van Dijk – 10

Back to his imperious best today. Fantastic slide tackle to cut out a De Bruyne cross first half and was on hand to head away from under his own goal with Haaland waiting for the tap in late on. Boss.

Robertson – 8

We needed his energy and aggression today. He had Cancelo and De Bruyne operating down his side and coped well. Should have done better when he swiped at a half volley in the box early on.

Fabinho – 8.5

Much improved tonight. Got a crucial foot in to thwart so many attacks. Crucially fouled in the build up to Foden’s goal, leading to VAR calling the referee over to the monitor. Took a yellow for the team when he halted a counter second half. Much more like it.

Thiago – 8

Workmanlike. Put in a lot of hard yards in that midfield to cover the gaps. Didn’t really get on the ball enough to showcase his passing range. Did an incredible job keeping tabs on De Bruyne. Slipped into Rodri late on and was quick to apologise.

Elliott – 8

A matured performance from the youngster. Showed no fear as he got on the ball and played. Lovely cross for Jota at the back post first half, and set up a couple of breakaways. Could have done better when isolated with Ake in the box. Put in a real defensive shift.

Firmino – 6.5

Not quite his day. The ball bounced off him a number of times. Couldn’t really influence it much. Pressed well.

Jota – 7

Should have scored when set up for a free header at the backpost second half. Lost his foot in the box to ruin a dangerous attack late on. So disciplined defensively. Tracked back to help Robbo out time and again. Sent Darwin through on goal in injury time. Unfortunately looks to have picked up a terrible injury.

Salah – 9.5

Played upfront today and revelled in the role. His runs in behind the City defence caused them so many problems. He was splendid, his decision making at times let him down though. Twice he went through on goal and could have found Jota for a tap in but backed himself to score and missed. Made up for it with a trademark breakaway goal after spinning Cancelo on the halfway line.

Substitutes

Henderson – 7

On to shore things up in midfield. Kept up the intensity levels. Charged down any loose balls in the middle of the park.

Carvalho – 7.5

Showed unreal composure on a number of occasions to take his time and pick a forward pass despite a number of blue shirts closing him down. Made several runs into the box and was left frustrated by poor decision making from his teammates.

Darwin – 6.5

His movement means he benefited from the space City left as they chased an equaliser. Broke away on three occasions and made the wrong decision every time. First one he went for goal with Jota and Salah in support, only to curl wide.

Second one he chose the more difficult pass to Trent at the backpost instead of Carvalho on the penalty spot. Last one he should have scored. Sent clean through by Jota’s last touch of the game and instead of curling into the far corner, went for the chip and messed it up horribly.

Alexander-Arnold – N/A

Great to have him back ahead of schedule. Almost connected to Darwin’s cross at the backpost.

Tsimikas – N/A

On for the injured Jota.

Jürgen Klopp

Went with Salah central after the Egyptian’s midweek hat trick. Elliott was trusted to start and he played wide on the right. In some ways it was a brave call and it paid off with Salah netting the winner.

His changes made the side better and helped see the game out in the end. Sent off for bollocking the fourth official for failing to award a free kick after Bernardo wrestled Salah down.