Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Saturday, against a stubborn Hull City side. Henry Jackson assesses the performances of each Reds individual on the day.
Other results on Saturday meant that the draw saw Liverpool drop down to seventh in the Premier League.
Brendan Rodgers opted for a 4-3-3 formation to begin with; Adam Lallana on the left, Raheem Sterling on the right, Mario Balotelli up front. Emre Can came into the side with he and Joe Allen ahead of Steven Gerrard in midfield.
Javier Manquillo came into the side at right back.
The Reds changed to 4-4-2 for the final half an hour, with Philippe Coutinho playing on the left and Rickie Lambert partnering Balotelli up front. It was The Reds’ best part of the game.
You can vote for your Liverpool Man of the Match on each player’s slide and share your own player ratings at the end of the slideshow.
SIMON MIGNOLET- 6 (out of 10)
The 26-year-old had a solid afternoon but in truth, barring a couple of comfortable saves, he was rarely called into action.
His highlights included a lovely Cruyff turn on the edge of his box, and lambasting his defence in the first half after they (again) dropped too deep to allow several shots from the edge of the box in quick succession.
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JAVIER MANQUILLO- 7
The young Spaniard got forward well throughout, showing an attacking thrust he has lacked in previous games, and he was reliable defensively. Good performance.
Javi Manquillo won 3 tackles vs. Hull today, the same number as Glen Johnson has won all season. #LFC pic.twitter.com/ByghR19TpG
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 25, 2014
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MARTIN SKRTEL- 6
The Slovakian was largely untroubled from start to finish, but it’s hard to either praise or criticise him given how little he had to do.
As ever, was guilty of allowing the defence to drop too deep in the first half.
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DEJAN LOVREN- 6
There is still a shakiness about Lovren’s play, but in fairness he was solid on the whole. The 25-year-old was unlucky not to score with a first-half header.
He did miss two good chances though, one in the first half turning his head on a Gerrard delivery, and in the second half, fluffing his lines from a Balotelli pass. Certainly needs to improve to lead the defence.
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ALBERTO MORENO- 5
The 22-year-old produced one of his most disappointing performances so far in a Liverpool shirt. He didn’t get forward enough, and was on the periphery throughout.
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STEVEN GERRARD- 6.5
The skipper was one of Liverpool’s better players, controlling the game in midfield and producing consistently good set-piece deliveries. Why Brendan Rodgers continues to not substitute him though is baffling – this was his third game in six days and tired late on, while Can still looked energetic.
Now played every minute of Premier League and Champions League action this season, again.
#LFC 0-0 #HCAFC Gerrard dominated midfield & created 4 chances but #LFC drop more points: http://t.co/NvtESwj070 pic.twitter.com/H4KlCZ65lU
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) October 25, 2014
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EMRE CAN- 7
Can was the best of Liverpool’s starters, showing good energy, pace and reading of the game in the centre of midfield. The 20-year-old is a very promising prospect.
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JOE ALLEN- 5
A poor display by the Welshman, whose use of the ball , touch and influence on proceedings was disappointing. He was brought off on the hour mark.
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ADAM LALLANA- 5.5
The 26-year-old struggled in the same way he did against QPR last weekend, failing to get into the game and lacking a spark. Substituted in the second-half.
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RAHEEM STERLING- 5.5
Far from Sterling’s finest afternoon. His use of the ball was largely poor, and he was robbed of possession numerous times. He improved after the break but he was well below-par.
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MARIO BALOTELLI- 6
The Italian did not have a bad game by any means, but vast improvements are still needed. He held the ball up well and showed improved movement, but he wasted a glorious chance to win it at the death.
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Substitutes
PHILIPPE COUTINHO (on for Allen 61)- 7.5
The Brazilian changed the game when he came on, adding a huge amount of creativity and zest to the Reds’ play. He has to start the next Premier League game.
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RICKIE LAMBERT (on for Lallana 61)- 5.5
The 32-year-old added an extra body in attack, but he looked a little off the pace once again.
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JORDAN HENDERSON (on for Can 75)- 6
Barring a rather embarrassing attempt to win a penalty, he was largely unnoticed.
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