Liverpool produced a brilliant display to dispatch of Borussia Dortmund at Anfield on Sunday, and Henry Jackson rates each Reds star on the day.
SIMON MIGNOLET- 6 (out of 10)
The Belgian was completely untroubled throughout against a Dortmund side lacking no threat whatsoever going forward.
JAVIER MANQUILLO- 7
The 20-year-old enjoyed an impressive debut, looking good defensively and assured going forward. The real test will come when he makes his Premier League bow, however.
MARTIN SKRTEL- 7
Some had expected Mamadou Sakho to be Dejan Lovren‘s partner at the back this season, but Skrtel produced another reliable display to cement his place in the Reds’ starting XI ahead of the clash with Southampton next weekend.
DEJAN LOVREN- 8
Lovren enjoyed a debut to remember, bringing a presence to the defence, displaying his excellence on the ball and scoring Liverpool’s second with a fine header from close-range.
GLEN JOHNSON- 6
The much-maligned 29-year-old produced a better performance than he has of late, looking happier at left-back than on the opposite flank.
He was good in possession, and looked a little more switched on than usual. Maybe the signing of Javier Manquillo has kicked him into gear.
STEVEN GERRARD- 7
The captain has had a fairly low-key pre-season, but he completely controlled the game against the German giants.
His passing was invariably spot on, while his defensive work was also very good.
EMRE CAN- 6
After some excellent displays in a Reds shirt so far, Can was quiet but solid against Jurgen Klopp‘s side. Replaced by Lucas at the break.
JORDAN HENDERSON- 8
Henderson was fairly subdued in the first-half, compared to his recent high standards, but he was superb after the break.
The 24-year-old scored the Reds’ fourth goal from close-range, and showed some lovely touches and endless running throughout.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO- 9
Coutinho’s performance was absolutely sensational, and was as close to 10/10 as it gets. His vision was a joy to watch- his flick to set up Sturridge for the opener was particularly sublime- and he got a deserved goal in the second-half.
The 22-year-old will be Liverpool’s star man in 2014/15 on this evidence.
RAHEEM STERLING- 8
Although not as devastating as Coutinho, Sterling’s pace, trickery and inventiveness was extremely sharp from start to finish.
The 19-year-old set up his Brazilian teammate for Liverpool’s third, and their interplay with one another was absolutely fantastic.
DANIEL STURRIDGE- 7
The 24-year-old didn’t look at total sharpness, but he was still a constant threat.
He raced on to Coutinho’s pass to give his side the lead, finishing emphatically in the process, and showed great endeavour to supply Henderson with the Reds’ fourth.
Substitutes
LUCAS LEIVA (on for Can 46)- 6
A reliable cameo from the 27-year-old, although he was a little sloppy in possession.
JOSE ENRIQUE (on for Johnson 62)- 6
Showed some nice touches and attacking thrust, but the game was over as a contest by the time the Spaniard came on.
JORDAN IBE (on for Coutinho 71)- n/a
No time to make an impact.
RICKIE LAMBERT (on for Sturridge 74)- n/a
No time to make an impact.
JOE ALLEN (on for Henderson 78)- n/a
No time to make an impact.
MARTIN KELLY (on for Manquillo 84)- n/a
No time to make an impact.
Who do you think was Liverpool’s star man against Borussia Dortmund? Let us know in the comments section below.
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