Liverpool conceded late against Ludogorets to surrender a 2-1 lead in Bulgaria, but victory over Basel in their last group game will see the Reds progress to the Champions League knockout stages. Henry Jackson rates each player on the night.
SIMON MIGNOLET- 4.5
The Belgian continues to look completely out of place in the Reds’ goal. His shocking error gifted Ludogorets an early lead, and he missed a punch by a country mile soon after. Simply not good enough.
Since the start of last season, Simon Mignolet has made 7 defensive errors leading to a goal in the EPL and UCL. #LFC pic.twitter.com/AkkMGtAmIu
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 26, 2014
Vote Mignolet as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
JAVIER MANQUILLO- 6.5
The 20-year-old was one of his side’s better performers on the night, showing solid defensive work from start to finish. Manquillo needs to improve the attacking side of his game, but he has plenty of potential.
Vote Manquillo as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
MARTIN SKRTEL- 6
The Slovakian was typically erratic at times, and allowed too many Ludogorets players to run in behind him, especially in the first-half, but he was largely solid.
Vote Skrtel as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
KOLO TOURE- 5.5
Toure was chosen ahead of Dejan Lovren, but he didn’t put in a particularly impressive performance. The 33-year-old didn’t clear the ball properly for the hosts’ goal, and some of his clearances looked rushed. Good in the air though.
Vote Toure as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
GLEN JOHNSON- 6
In fairness to Johnson, he has played far worse this season. Defensively he was relatively reliable, and he showed a little more attacking threat than of late. Still staggering that Brendan Rodgers continues to pick him though.
Vote Johnson as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
LUCAS LEIVA- 6
The Brazilian was beaten for pace a few times in the first half, but he was generally reliable in defensive midfield. Not the long-term solution there, however.
Vote Leiva as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
JOE ALLEN- 6.5
Allen quietly went about his business all evening, and although he never properly stamped his authority on the game, he used the ball intelligently and defended doggedly. A good couple of games from the Welshman.
Vote Allen as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
JORDAN HENDERSON- 6.5.
Similar to Allen, Henderson didn’t have his greatest of evenings, but he worked his socks off and took his goal very well late in the first-half. He played on the right side of midfield in the second-half, and did well there.
Vote Henderson as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
STEVEN GERRARD- 6
The skipper was pushed higher up the pitch by Rodgers, and there were positives and negatives. He produced some nice touches, and looked the most likely to open up the Ludogorets defence, but his severe lack of pace and movement hindered the Reds somewhat. Playing him for yet another 90 minutes was madness on Rodgers’ part.
Vote Gerrard as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
RAHEEM STERLING- 7
The 19-year-old had a disappointing first-half, losing possession too often and shooting wildly over the bar, but he was comfortably Liverpool’s best player after the break. He was much improved in the second-half, and his pace and trickery was a constant threat. Excellent cross for Henderson’s goal. Removed due to injury but without his threat Liverpool’s attack was immobile.
Raheem Sterling's game by numbers:
2 shots
1 assist
81% pass accuracy
6 take ons completed
1 chance created pic.twitter.com/9moMyEHjJ9— Squawka (@Squawka) November 26, 2014
Vote Sterling as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
RICKIE LAMBERT- 7
The 32-year-old did well in general, holding the ball up intelligently and scoring his second goal in three days. He lacks the mobility to be a lethal weapon for the Reds, but he should be pleased with his display.
Vote Lambert as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
Substitutes
ALBERTO MORENO (on for Sterling 83)- n/a
Was barely noticed.
Vote Moreno as your Man of the Match on Twitter: Tweet
MAKE YOUR RATINGS
[statsfc-player-rater key=2dCG2IPndnJBm4GL141AFJQnx7Wsl6gT3JGGW02u team=Liverpool date=2014-11-26 default_css=false]
Fan Comments