Player ratings: RB Leipzig 0-2 Liverpool
After a run of torrid results recently, the boys finally got back to winning ways, in what actually turned out to be a more comfortable evening than expected. Let’s see how the lads got on.
Alisson (7) – Much improved performance after a couple of horror moments in his last two games. Couple of dodgy moments with his kicking but made one brilliant save when one v one and handling solid throughout.
TAA (8) – Trent’s starting to find a bit of last season’s swagger as his improved form continues. Some really nice incisive passing, including a brilliant pass to Salah in the first half who should have squared to Mane but tried to chip the keeper. Defensively though, I was really impressed with Trent. Showed good pace, strength and defensive discipline throughout. Unlucky to miss out on McMOTM.
Kabak (7) – I don’t know what it is but I feel young Ozan has a touch of the Lovren’s about him and wouldn’t be surprised to see him make the odd howler. Promising start to his LFC career though, looks a confident lad and is good with the ball at his feet as he beat his man and stepped out a couple of times. His passing, especially long diagonals, needs some work but at 20 he looks a really good prospect.
Henderson (8) – Another who was in with a shout for McMOTM, I’m running out of superlatives for Hendo. Whether he plays as an 8, a 6, left sided CB, right sided CB, you always get a performance out of him. To be playing so well in a specialist position like left CB, shows a superb understanding of the game and incredible adaptability. Used his physicality well, never stopped shouting and was always looking for the ball over the top, which eventually lead to our second, albeit after a defensive howler. Given a bit of a runaround by Huang when he came on though.
Robertson (7.5) – There was a split second where I thought Robbo had scored from about 45 yards and I was just about to run up my street naked, swinging my boxers around my head when I realised it had gone just over. That aside, typical Robbo game. Solid defensively, heavily involved in our buildup play and marauding runs forward whenever the opportunity arose.
Wijnaldum (7.5) – Did all the unsung dirty work as usual, broke up Leipzig’s play multiple times but it’s his control and ball retention in tight spaces that I love watching from Gini. A couple of times last night when he does his little drag backs and shapes to go one way before bamboozling the opponent with a turn… It’s a joy to watch. Sign that contract!!
Thiago (7) – Conceded a foul in the first minute and I thought don’t do this again… Thankfully no booking for that challenge which allowed to to play with more freedom than he could against Leicester where he was booked after 2 minutes. Helped us control the game more and more as the first half wore on, as we demoralised Leipzig. Understandably subbed after racking up a lot of minutes this last few weeks.
Jones (8) – I was really impressed with Jones all round display last night. He’s neat and tidy in possession, carries the ball well and some of his turns are brilliant. He’s really (literally) growing into the defensive side of the game however. He’s obviously been getting lessons from Gini on shielding the ball and has clearly been working on his upper body strength. Can still be guilty of taking a touch or two too many but at 19, this kid’s potential has no ceiling.
Salah (9) – Salah can be frustrating at times, I regularly bemoan his poor short passing or decision making but one thing about him, give him a run at the goalkeeper one v one and he is absolutely lethal. With our team short of confidence there’s nobody else you’d rather that chance fell to and although it was a shocker of a pass from the defender, Salah anticipates the mistake, jumps on it and punishes them. He put some shift in yesterday too but it was the first goal, which ultimately proved to be the winner, that has tipped this week’s McMOTM in Mo’s favour.
Firmino (7) – Had a goal disallowed, which god knows how the linesman could have told from the far side of the pitch and through the goal that the whole of the ball had gone out but apparently he could. Shooting was predictably poor but I thought his pressing was right on point and I think between that and the positions he was taking up, he unsettled the Leipzig defence, who in turn started making the mistakes which ultimately cost them the game.
Mane (8) – Gave Mukiele a torrid evening, none more so than the build up to his goal. I was really glad to see Mane get back on the scoresheet after a very inconsistent season in front of goal. Good headed chance as well. Didn’t smile when celebrating with his teammates but I’m sure we’ve seen that before from him so I’m not going to read too much into it.
Subs:
Ox (6) – Put in a dangerous cross with almost his first touch but struggled to get involved after, as he often does off the bench. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Ox start a game, his LFC career could do with a bit of a jumpstart.
Shaqiri (5) – Barely remember him getting a touch and had a point deducted for the terrible barnet he’s currently sporting,
Williams (N/A) – Time wasting sub.
Kloppwatch (9) – Was so pleased for the boss to get that win last night and fair play to him for still being able to get that level of performance out of a team who’s confidence is shot and had been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. The only thing I scored him down on was taking Thiago and Bobby off at the same time. We immediately lost our rhythm and Leipzig got back into the game. That aside, reminded Nagelsmann of his place in the pecking order.
Summary
The only downside to last night was both goals coming from pretty awful defensive mistakes but it’s not like we weren’t creating chances. Salah’s chance when he tried to chip the keeper, Mane had a headed opportunity, Bobby hit the side netting and then pretty embarrassingly kicked the ground and skewed the ball out when in a good shooting chance. Robbo’s long range effort was close too so I always felt like we’d score. It was more could we then control the game and keep it together defensively which (Huang miss aside) we did, with a very professional away performance in Europe, setting ourselves up nicely for the return leg.
Everton next then and our boys must be chomping at the bit to get at them. As long as we avoid any red cards, I’m looking forward to a feisty showing from our lads and a good win in Europe followed by a pasting of Everton, are the type of results that seasons are turned on. The title is done I think but top four and number 7 will do nicely thanks. Anyway, onwards and Kloppwards. Walk on!
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