Liverpool secured a priceless 3-2 victory away to Leicester City on Saturday evening, with a mixed performance from Jurgen Klopp‘s side.
Leicester City 2-3 Liverpool
Premier League, King Power Stadium
September 23, 2017
Goals: Okazaki 45+2′, Vardy 68′; Salah 15′, Coutinho 23′, Henderson 65′
Simon Mignolet – 7 (out of 10)
Started slowly, gave away possession needlessly that could have been more costly than the subsequent corner.
Pulled off a tremendous close-range save from Jamie Vardy, but was undone by a poor refereeing decision on the stroke of half-time which cost Liverpool a goal.
Can’t have any complaints for the penalty, taking out Vardy after missing the ball, but pulled off a brilliant stop to deny the striker from the resulting spot-kick.
Joe Gomez – 5
Looked nervous at times, gave away a few needless fouls and was caught out of position on a few occasions, most notably for Leicester‘s second. Needs more game time to blow away the rust.
Dejan Lovren – 5
Had a horrendous opening five minutes; knocked the ball out of play under no pressure, then gave away possession on the edge of the box.
Talked himself into the book with an overzealous complaint after his protest for a penalty was waved away. Still far from convincing.
Joel Matip – 6
Looked as nervous as his centre back partner at times; however, had a better overall contribution.
A victim of a Vardy dive (England’s best ‘go-to-grounder’) which resulted in the chance for the host’s half-time lifeline.
Alberto Moreno – 6
Was having a good game until under-covering led to the buildup in Leicester‘s second goal. Offers far more going forward than at the back.
Emre Can – 6
Drifted from good to awful, then back to good, then a little poor.
Unlucky with a first-half shot that cannoned off the post, and escaped with a big handball shout that could have been given as a penalty.
Jordan Henderson – 7
Was in the referee’s ear constantly; as he should be as a captain. Sloppy in possession at times, but did keep his head well to finish calmly for Liverpool’s third.
Quiet game, didn’t do anything wrong but also did little to standout. Average: needs to perform to a higher level, consistently.
Philippe Coutinho – 8 (Man of the Match)
An assist for the first and a beauty of a free-kick from 22 yards gave Liverpool a comfortable lead.
Another 78 minutes under the belt, first half impressive but drifted a touch towards the end of his time—don’t let that distract from his overall influence though!
Mohamed Salah – 7
Missed the archetypal sitter from five yards then made an instant recovery by scoring a header from an acute angle.
Still settling in to life at Liverpool but crucially still finding the net as he does.
Roberto Firmino – 5
Overall contribution was poor, drifted for the time he was on the pitch. Will need to find the level again we all know he can play at, quickly.
Substitutes
Daniel Sturridge (on for Coutinho, 64′) – 6
Looked hungry, maybe too keen to get that elusive 100th goal. Came on at a time when Leicester were in the ascendancy.
James Milner (on for Can, 74′) – 6
Was brought on by Klopp to shore up the defensive element of the midfield as Leicester began to fancy their chances of an equaliser. Did as he was asked.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Firmino, 79′) – 6
Needs more game time to become a dependable addition to Klopp’s squad.
Subs not used: Karius, Solanke, Klavan, Alexander-Arnold
Manager
Jurgen Klopp – 7
We all expected a 4-3-3 but once the kickoff was underway it was evident Liverpool had switched to a 4-2-3-1.
Leicester looked unable to cope with the surprise so he won the initial tactical battle with Craig Shakespeare.
Used all three substitutes, but once again it could be argued they were a little late.
Promised a response from the midweek defeat and delivered.
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