Liverpool v AC Milan Player Impressions

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Right then you ‘orrible lot, a change this time. Jock is struggling with the concept of having both hot and cold running water ,so Instead of player ratings you are going to get my impressions based on what I saw from behind the sofa looking at the game through my fingers. That was when I was actually watching the game and not pacing around the kitchen muttering swear words to myself or taking another of several overly long toilet breaks.

I will be relying on you, yes YOU, to fill in gaps and put me right where I have clearly mixed up your favourite player with some other dummy who shouldn’t even be within a hundred miles of Anfield. So, your posts will take on an even more important role this time and at some point I will feature the post I think is the best, or the one I agree with the most, or even just the poster I like the best

Alisson: 7 He was the one in green right? I have given him a seven because, as far I could tell, he did nothing wrong in the game, wasn’t at fault for either of the goals and has a nice beard. On the other hand he didn’t do any of his usual amazing saves that would warrant a higher mark.

TAA: 7. Started the game really well, though his delivery from set pieces was a little less accurate than usual and it seemed too that he’d left his shooting boots at home. I think the clause in his new contract that he has first dibs on all set pieces might need to be looked at. I thought he struggled to get back for one of their goals too, but that might be a bit harsh. Still a crazy good player though and judged by higher standards than most.

Matip 7.5 Loved loads about his game his including his calmness and his passing, but we conceded two and whilst I am not clever enough to work out who was most at fault among the CBs, I have shared a bit of the blame amongst them. Some might rightly argue that most of the the fault actually lay with the team as a whole in a collective loss of memory just before half time. .

Gomez 7 Might have been a bit to blame for one of the goals but can be excused for being a bit rusty having not played previously this season. Up until that funny five minutes both CBs had looked classy and in the second half they thankfully returned to their usual calm and controlled selves.

Robbo 4 Tried hard but needs to up his game and remember he’s not playing for Scotland now. He made a half hearted effort to stop their second goal and just put it on a plate for the attacker. 🙂

Fab 7.5 8 Fab as always (GDoc has upped his score to 8)

Gerrard Henderson 8.5 & my McMOTM. Leading from the front and an inspirational and winning goal. Roy of the Rovers stuff and just what you want from a fantastic Captain fantastic.

Keita 7.5 Did nothing wrong and was part of some nice build ups and slick passing especially in the first 40 minutes.

Jota 6.5 A bit disappointed with his end product tbh. Sometimes tries a shot when the defender is in the way and seems surprised when it gets blocked. On the plus side he never gave up and was busy harrying the defence which is all you can ask for when it’s not quite going for him.

Origi 7.5 I have tried hard not to criticise him too much in the past but he has never convinced me as a Liverpool player despite a couple of outstanding highlights . Considering he too came in for his first game of the season he looked on it from the off and made a pass for Salah’s goal that Thiago would have been proud of. I really hope he continues to prove me wrong.

Salah 7.5 Scored again but a poor pen. Starting to get a bit more recognition for just how good he is as his contract is up for renewal and Mane stutters a little bit. You never know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.

Subs:

Mane, Jones, Thiago 21 (7 each)

Milner, Ox N/A

Kloppwatch 8. I don’t think he can be blamed for the funny five minutes before half time, but, both up until then and again afterwards, our play justified his selection choices which had been questioned by some. As Klopp himself said you do need to rotate your squad over a very busy and demanding season and some of our players are returning after long periods out with injuries. Personally, I don’t like defensive changes for important games but I have to say that once again Klopp appears to know better than me (even).

Summary. Thank goodness we won. I hate to think what the atmosphere would have been like if we’d drawn or, heaven forbid, lost 😉 Anyway, at times I thought we looked absolutely brilliant and our play was up there with the best I’ve seen and against a team that is no pushover and will give the other teams in the group something to think about.

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