PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 2-1 LEICESTER CITY

Liverpool made hard work of things tonight but just got over the line in the end. An early Dewsbury-Hall goal set up an uphill task, but two own goals by Faes completed a first half comeback. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 6

Was quick and alert off his line all game, and he had to be. Swept up a number of through balls. Was assured in possession. Nothing he could do about the goal. solid stop when Barnes broke through eA moment of miscommunication with Matip near the end could have proved costly.

Alexander-Arnold – 7

Was outstanding defensively. He made a crucial interception early on to prevent Barnes from going clean through. His match up with Barnes was enthralling. He must have won nigh on every duel with the winger. Going forward, he was wasteful. Opted to shoot and blazed over with Darwin and Salah in good positions. His cross did lead to the equaliser.

Matip – 6

Had to be mindful of the long ball through to Barnes. Was too easily beaten on the wing second half but Trent was on the cover. We looked dangerous any time he ventured forward.

Van Dijk – 6

Stepped out to try and pinch the ball high up the pitch and failed, leaving a huge gap for Dewsbury-Hall to run through for the goal. Not as assured tonight as we know he can be. Headed one wide at the other end. Was mindful of the threat of Vardy in behind. Stepped up to play him offside late on, halting a dangerous attack.

Robertson – 4

Piss poor tonight. Horrendous cross early on when found in space on the left wing. Gave the ball away loads. Didn’t look his usual energetic self. Didn’t try to take on his opposing full back once. Should have gone off before he eventually pulled up with an injury.

Henderson – 4.5

Horrendous for their goal. He should be winning that challenge with Dewsbury-Hall. He failed and it was punished. The youngster constantly seemed to breeze past the skipper. His passing was shocking as well, first half especially. He sums up the dire need of reinforcement in the engine room.

Elliott – 5

Loads of effort but not enough quality. Caught on the ball a lot, not enough pace to get away from his man, and sub par defensive cover to boot. Switched to the left hand side second half. Went off with a knee injury.

Thiago – 9

Man of the Match by an absolute mile. Looked like a one man midfield at times, with the Spaniard the only one capable of thundering into challenges, exerting meaningful pressure, and pinging the ball round the pitch. He tired second half but used all his experience to buy fouls and break up the game.

Salah – 5.5

Was set up by Darwin early on and he couldn’t wrap his foot round it enough, sending his shot wide. He was put clean through on goal by the big man later in the game and he screwed it wide. On the ball, he took too many touches and got crowded out over and over again as a result. Denied by Ward late on. Not a great night at the office.

Darwin – 6

First half he was one of a few who actually played well. Brilliant wing play down the left saw him set Salah up for a good chance. He forced the winner after racing clear of Amartey and seeing his chip come back off the post, with Faes applying the finishing touch to spare his blushes. Second half it was more of the same. Brilliant play to get into great positions but woeful finishing. Worked himself into the ground for the cause though. Lovely through ball to Salah.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 4.5

Started woefully. Couldn’t bring down the ball to save his life. Got slightly better as the game grew. Put Darwin through for the second goal. Hopefully that’s the last we see of him in a front three.

Substitutes

Tsimikas – 6

Decent set piece deliveries. Carried out his defensive duties well. Burst through late on and should have squared it.

Keita – 6

Too easily bypassed in midfield. Settled down as the game grew and got on the ball. Played Darwin through for what should have been the clincher.

Gomez – 6

On to shore things up at the back with time running out. Won a few challenges which elicited a punch of the air by the gaffer.

Bajcetic – 6

Should have come on earlier to be honest. Charged into a strong tackle on Thomas as soon as he came on. Maturing before our very eyes.

Jürgen Klopp

The gaffer’s options were stretched thin tonight. His side started poorly but managed to complete the turnaround in fortuitous circumstances. A few could have been subbed at halftime. I wonder what Carvalho has done wrong though. Scored at the Etihad and was subbed at halftime.

He hasn’t played a minute since. Meanwhile the likes of Ox and even Elliott get to play out of position on the left wing. All in all it’s the three points that matter. The Reds fought to the death for it. The lack of quality (especially in midfield) is alarming but that is a topic for another day.