The Reds once again entertained in abundance, earning a vital win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in the process. Henry Jackson (@OnFootballTweet) rates each Liverpool player on another important day in the title race.
Cardiff City 3-6 Liverpool
Premier League / Saturday 22nd March 2014
SIMON MIGNOLET- 6
The 26-year-old may have let in three goals on the day, but he couldn’t be blamed for any of them. His distribution was decent too.
GLEN JOHNSON- 8
Johnson is looking back to his best after injury, and was terrific going forward throughout. His overlapping runs caused Cardiff constant trouble, and he played a key role in three of Liverpool’s goals.
MARTIN SKRTEL- 8
The 29-year-old continued his fantastic season with another inspirational performance. Any defender who concedes three goals in a game needs to be blamed to some extent, but his two goals more than made up for it.
DANIEL AGGER- 6
Not the Dane’s finest day in a Reds shirt, and his place in the side is surely slightly under threat from Mamadou Sakho. Should have done better for Cardiff’s second goal.
JON FLANAGAN- 5
The youngster had a poor game. He was all at sea in the opening stages of the game, and his positioning and quality on the ball were disappointing all game.
STEVEN GERRARD- 7
A solid but unspectacular display from the skipper. He picked up another booking in the first half- one more in the next four games will see him receive a two-match ban- but his passing and controlling of the midfield was as reliable as ever.
JOE ALLEN- 7
The former Swansea man looked affected by the boos from the Cardiff fans early on, and he carelessly gave the ball away for the opening goal. The Welshman grew in stature as the game progressed, however.
JORDAN HENDERSON- 6
Henderson blew hot and cold, producing moments of excellence and frustration at the same time. He produced a superb pass to Johnson in the lead up to Luis Suarez’s first goal, but he was often sloppy on the ball. Not his best performance.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO- 7
The 21-year-old Brazilian oozed class during his 68 minutes on the pitch. His cross for Skrtel’s first goal was terrific, and his general creativity was a threat throughout.
DANIEL STURRIDGE- 8
The 24-year-old was brilliant yet again, as his magnificent season continues. His pace and movement was a joy to watch, and his back heeled pass to Suarez was one of the assists of the season. Scored his 22nd of the campaign too.
LUIS SUAREZ- 9 (Man of the Match)
You just run out of superlatives for the Uruguayan, who has found his goalscoring touch again after a barren spell by his high standards. He produced three lethal finishes to take the match ball home, and created Sturridge’s goal with an inch-perfect pass. Is there a better player in the world at the moment?
Subs
RAHEEM STERLING (on for Coutinho ’68)- 6
Added extra pace to Liverpool’s attacks, and always looked lively.
ALY CISSOKHO (on for Flanagan ’73)- 5
Solid but unnoticed.
MAMADOU SAKHO (on for Sturridge ’90)- 5
Hardly touched the ball when he came on.
Who was your LFC Man of the Match? Where do agree/disagree with the ratings?
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