Goals from Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson earned Liverpool an important first win in four Premier League games on Saturday. We were at Anfield to rate the players.
SIMON MIGNOLET – 6.5
The Belgian’s save from Saido Berahino’s shot shortly before Liverpool opened the scoring proved a big moment in a game in which he was largely untroubled by the Baggies’ attack.
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JAVIER MANQUILLO – 6
Manquillo may look to improve the physical side of his game, while a weak shot in the first half trickled well wide of Ben Foster’s goal.
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MARTIN SKRTEL – 7
A strong performance by Liverpool’s leader in defence, Skrtel held off any danger West Brom caused.
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DEJAN LOVREN – 6
Lovren looked more comfortable in Liverpool’s defence and worked well with the other three defenders to hold a strong back line, but will be disappointed to have conceded a second-half penalty.
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ALBERTO MORENO – 7
Another impressive display from the Spaniard, making the use of the full left wing to cause West Brom problems. However, the 22-year-old would do well to track back quicker from attacking plays.
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STEVEN GERRARD – 7
A more confident Gerrard took a stronghold on dictating the game with 95% pass accuracy, switching play with great effectiveness. A brief cameo late on in his old attacking midfield role was too brief to make judgement.
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PHILIPPE COUTINHO – 6
The Brazilian looked exciting in the first-half, and would likely have contributed more to the game with closer support to give him options. A solid catalyst between midfield and attack.
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RAHEEM STERLING – 6
The 19-year-old had a frustrating afternoon meeting passes with a heavy first touch. The England international must find a way to play well consistently when others around him aren’t, but it’s easy to forget how young he is. Still, he did well to keep composed under pressure and set up Henderson’s winner.
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JORDAN HENDERSON – 8
A rare mistake to gift possession to West Brom in the first half nearly resulted in the Baggies taking the lead, but Henderson went on to have an inspirational game in the middle of the park. In another stirling leadership performance, he took his winning goal expertly and his backheel for Lallana’s opener was a touch of class.
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ADAM LALLANA – 8
This may be seen as Lallana’s breakthrough game at Liverpool having improved match-on-match as he reaches full fitness. He scored his first goal for the club with a great finish, finding exciting cohesion with his teammates with a workhorse-like attitude until the late stages of the game.
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RICKIE LAMBERT – 5
Lambert unfortunately often looked off the pace, isolated without a partner up front, but will only improve with game time.
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Substitutes
GLEN JOHNSON (on for Manquillo 64) – 6
Highly criticised before his recent injury, the England right-back returned to the team with a solid and strong performance. His experience can serve Liverpool well over the next few months, and Manquillo should look to absorb education from the 30-year-old.
LUCAS LEIVA (on for Coutinho 75) – 6
Lucas’ 75th minute introduction allowed Gerrard to go forward without disrupting Liverpool’s shape. He looked confident in his role, and covered a large area of the pitch.
MARIO BALOTELLI (on for Lambert 65) – 5
Balotelli, like Lambert, looked isolated up front and both strikers must be relishing the return of Daniel Sturridge from injury to feed the runs they desperately crave.
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