Liverpool lost 1-0 to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, but it was a valiant display by Brendan Rodgers’ weakened side. Henry Jackson rates each Reds player on the night.
SIMON MIGNOLET (out of 10)- 7.5
Mignolet produced his best performance of the season, making several fine saves and showing a noticeable improvement in his decision-making. Looks more assured with a certain somebody ahead of him leading the defence. Hopefully this is the start of a resurgence from the 26-year-old.
SAVE MAP: Simon Mignolet made 8 saves last night, 5 coming from Cristiano Ronaldo. Excellent display. #LFC pic.twitter.com/0OUMj4HEsT
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 5, 2014
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JAVIER MANQUILLO- 7
The youngster was largely solid, and considering he had to deal with the marauding Marcelo and tricky Isco, he did well throughout. Got forward well too, although his crossing needs to be more consistent.
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MARTIN SKRTEL- 6
The Slovakian was one of Liverpool’s weaker players on the night, committing too many silly fouls and almost gifting Real Madrid a goal with a sloppy loss of possession in the first-half. Good in the air. Booked for a typically reckless challenge on Ronaldo early on, giving away a free kick in a dangerous area in the process.
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KOLO TOURE- 8.5
A magnificent performance by the 33-year-old, who rolled back the years to his Arsenal days. The Ivorian made endless blocks and clearances, was dominant aerially and showed great leadership – others look better with him around them. His finest moment in a Reds shirt to date.
Kolo Toure game by numbers:
Tackles won: 100%
Clearances: 6
Blocks: 7
Interceptions: 1 pic.twitter.com/02aODAcdd5— Squawka (@Squawka) November 4, 2014
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ALBERTO MORENO- 7.5
The Spaniard may have been a little naive in possession at times, trying risky things in dangerous areas, but he got forward brilliantly from start to finish and produced some excellent defending. Despite a few defensive errors, he has been one of Rodgers’ best signings of the summer.
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LUCAS LEIVA- 8
The 27-year-old was superb in defensive midfield, producing his best performance in a long time. He was positionally terrific, used the ball well and looked more like the Lucas of two or three years ago.
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EMRE CAN- 7.5
The 20-year-old continued to show his huge potential, playing with confidence and dynamism in the middle of the park. He looks as though he will mould into the complete midfielder, and could become a star at Anfield.
Emre Can: 38/40 passes accurate, most tackles (3) and ball recoveries (6) for #lfc in the first half.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) November 4, 2014
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JOE ALLEN- 6.5
The 24-year-old’s work-rate could not be faulted, and he pressed relentlessly all evening, but his use of the ball was disappointing and he did not impose himself on the game. Has to start doing more to justify being a regular.
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ADAM LALLANA- 7
The former Southampton man struggled to get into the game at times from out wide, but when he did have the ball he looked tricky and inventive. One of his side’s more dangerous players, particularly in the second-half.
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LAZAR MARKOVIC- 6
Markovic continues to struggle in a Liverpool shirt, and although his pace offered the Reds an outlet, he invariably did nothing when he had a chance to run at the Madrid defence. He is clearly a talent, but it’s not happening for the 20-year-old at the moment.
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FABIO BORINI- 6.5
The Italian worked tirelessly up front from start to finish, and did his best to be the focal point of the team. He was isolated throughout though, and couldn’t stamp his authority on proceedings.
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Substitutes
STEVEN GERRARD (on for Lucas 69)- 6.5
The skipper was tidy, but couldn’t influence proceedings much, kept trying to with long diagonal balls in behind full backs, whether at the manager’s request or his own doing.
RAHEEM STERLING (on for Markovic 69)- 6.5
The 19-year-old’s speed immediately worried the hosts, but he was relatively quiet in general.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO (on for Can 75)- 6.5
The Brazilian showed creativity and class on the ball, but like the other substitutes, his introduction didn’t make too much difference.
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