LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Claudio Ranieri, Manager of Leicester City looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool player ratings following a strong win against Champions Leicester City
Liverpool’s first home game of the season ended with an impressive win against Champions Leicester. The Red’s ran riot scoring four goals and giving the fans plenty to cheer about, conceding only once due to a silly mistake.
After a respectable first three games, Liverpool needed to find more points. The poor loss against Burnley hurt, but as expected the Anfield faithful helped Liverpool to a good victory. I recently wrote about the importance of a bigger Anfield, and I think today only supports how influential I believe playing at home can be.
Liverpool looked comfortable from the off. They maintained a high level of pressure for the first 40 minutes, scoring two goals in that time to take a comfortable lead.
A mistake from Lucas Leiva let Jamie Vardy pinch a goal back before half-time, but Liverpool responded well.
The second half saw even more chances, and two more goals. In all honesty, we could have bagged a couple more.
Liverpool’s defensive errors persisted today, but with two midfielders in our back four we did very well. Both James Milner and Lucas Leiva dropped in to replace Alberto Moreno and the injured Dejan Lovren.
It’s still scary watching the team play, considering how vulnerable we can look at times. It does appear we need to score 3 or 4 goals before we can actually relax, because who knows when we’ll slip up again.
The improvements are happening, and you can see us getting stronger, but for now we’re still weaker at the back. Hopefully when injured players like Lovren and Emre Can return we’ll be even stronger.
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Here’s our player ratings following what turned out to be an enjoyable game to watch. There’s plenty of higher ratings in this one, which shows how well we performed.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Simon Mignolet of Liverpool looks on following an injury during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Simon Mignolet – 7.5
I’m actually still surprised at how well Mignolet actually played. He left the game bloodied and bruised, but he made several crucial stops. He kept Liverpool in the lead on several occasions, and he actually came out to punch away high balls. A very good game from a player who usually struggles.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Marc Albrighton of Leicester City in action with Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Nathaniel Clyne – 7
Would you ever doubt that Clyne did well? Despite the odd bad touch, Clyne looked comfortable throughout the match and contributed well going forward and getting back. He’s one of our most reliable players, and he defended well today. His creative play was good, but I’ve seen better from Clyne.
BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Joel Matip of Liverpool during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool at Prenton Park on July 8, 2016 in Birkenhead, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)
Joel Matip – 7
Matip had a solid home debut. He looked comfortable on the ball and in defence, keeping the Leicester attackers quiet. His height is also important when defending set-pieces. Looking like on of our strongest defenders, and proving why he deserves to be in the first 11.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Lucas Leiva of Liverpool is tackled by Robert Huth of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Lucas Leiva – 6.5
I can read your mind – “A 6.5 FOR LUCAS, DID YOU EVEN SEE HIS MISTAKE?”. Yes, I saw his mistake. His error leading to the only Leicester goal was awful, but Lucas Leiva was mentally strong to not let that tilt him.
He played a big part in the first two goals by bringing the ball out from the back, and a good second half showed his strengths. He worked hard to make sure he fixed his mistakes, and the result shows it worked.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City in action with James Milner of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
James Milner – 7
I loved the clever assist from James Milner today. He played the ball perfectly to Firmino to create the first goal, and he had a solid game overall. He seems to be settling into the left-back role well now. His engine allows him to keep involved both offensively and defensively.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool waves to fans during the warm up during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Jordan Henderson – 7
The captain put in another improved performance today. His passing was more purposeful, and he played a part in two of Red’s goals. I also rate his defensive performance today, and he moved well to close down the Leicester players. He should have scored an easy chance, but I’m going to blame nerves on his miss.
Henderson is slowly turning his haters into supporters again. Lets all get behind the skipper, he’s getting better each game.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 6
For once Wijnaldum seemed more involved in the game. He moved more than he previously has, and played some nice little passes. He seems to be growing into the team, but he isn’t quite there yet. His long range shots occasionally come close, but he takes them far too often.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Adam Lallana of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Adam Lallana – 8
Oh how I love Adam Lallana. I’m still unsure on how well he’ll perform in a midfield three when we play teams with stronger players in the midfield, but he was brilliant today. Pairing with Wijnaldum, he never really left Jordan Henderson exposed. He tracked back, pressed, and worked his role well.
On the attack he was as creative as ever, and several chances came from him. He smashed home the third goal, and it was a really good finish for a player who has lacked an end product. Now adding goals to his game, Lallana is only getting better.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Roberto Firmino – 9
An outstanding performance from the Brazilian. Roberto Firmino stood out as one of the key players in the team today. His dribbling was perfect, and at times he took on as many as four opponents before shifting the ball. His passing was sharp, his movement was deadly, and he bagged two impressive goals.
I usually say I want to see more from Firmino, but recently he’s showing us his class often. I liked him far better playing alongside Daniel Sturridge who was bossing the central role.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Sadio Mane of Liverpool scores his sides second goal past Kasper Schmeichel of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Sadio Mane – 8.5
Once again Sadio Mane was one of the most influential players on the pitch. His pace caused problems, and he managed to grab a cheeky goal to help the Red’s win the match. He stayed composed despite breaking past an out-of-position keeper in order to get an assist and seal the game, which shows real class. Hopefully Mane keeps up his form to unleash it in the next matches.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool look on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Daniel Sturridge – 7.5
Welcome back Daniel Sturridge. This game has been the best I’ve seen the England striker perform in a long time. He was back to pressing the back line, making energetic runs behind and using his controlled dribbling to his advantage. He played a calm back-heel to Sadio Mane to grab an assist, but should have scored perhaps two goals in this game.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool looks on as his players warm up during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Substitutes
Kevin Stewart 6
Stewart only came on to help see out the game. Didn’t really do much, but I remember him stopping a ball that was crossed into the box.
Philippe Coutinho 6
A guest appearance from Philippe Coutinho, who didn’t really have a massive impact on the game as it came to a close.
Alberto Moreno N/A
Came on in the last moments, and went straight upfront. No really impact in his short time on the pitch.
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