Player ratings: Liverpool 0-1 Burnley
Beaten at Anfield. I’d forgotten what it felt like and with good reason as you need to go all the way back to 23rd April 2017 to find the last game at Anfield where we didn’t emerge with at least a point. Alas, the 68 game unbeaten run is over. Let’s see how the lads got on.
Alisson (5) – A night to forget for Alisson as he fumbled a cross that led to a Burnley chance and conceded the penalty that would eventually be the winner. Did make one brilliant save, it would have been ruled offside but he wasn’t to know that. Looked close to tears after the game and he’s been so solid for us, I don’t want to be overly critical. Just one of those nights for him.
Trent (3) – I’ve been saying it all season but something is wrong with Trent. Whether it’s the after effects of Covid, a personal issue, maybe he thinks he deserves a new contract, I don’t know. What I do know is that this is a shadow of the player we’ve watched for the last two seasons. His delivery hasn’t just dropped a bit, it’s fallen off a cliff from sublime to dreadful. Didn’t put a single decent delivery into the box all night, just sticking balls into areas without picking people out with precision as we’ve become accustomed to from him. The close range free kick he skied out of the stadium summed up his night. Personally I’d give Milner the next couple of games at RB. Whatever the reason is, Trent needs a break.
Matip (7.5) – One of those select few players that comes back from an injury and doesn’t need any time to get match fit. His one v one defending was top class last night and he carried the ball so far up the pitch at times he was on the edge of Burnley’s box. One dodgy handball (that had me racking my brains for the rule on deliberate handball outside the box) aside, I don’t remember him making a mistake all night and to that end, Matip is this week’s McMOTM.
Fabinho (5) – Not his finest night. Failed to make contact with what appeared to be a good headed chance first half and then booked for some handbags with Barnes on the stroke of half-time. In the build up to the penalty, it was his tug on Barnes arm that caused him to stumble and made Alisson’s mind up to come out. It resulted in a penalty but if Barnes had gone down under the initial challenge, Fabinho would likely have been sent off. He’s been brilliant at CB this season but last night was one to forget.
Robertson (6) – Unusually subdued performance from Robbo and the first game this season he’s looked a bit jaded. Nobody has played more minutes this season however so it’s understandable. Tried his best to get up and down as normal but lacking any real quality in his delivery.
Thiago (7) – Played well first half and I loved how he took the physical battle to Burnley, Barnes in particular he left a couple on. Showed some of his passing range but couldn’t find the killer through ball to open the packed Burnley defence. Needs to be more aware when defending counter attacks however, the last two games he’s gone toward the ball when he should have dropped off and covered, meaning he’s bypassed by a quick one two, leaving lots of space to run into. A bit more time working on our counter press in training should resolve that though.
Shaqiri (7) – One of the few players in the team to show any real quality on the ball. Couple of decent efforts from 20 yards and one excellent cross. He lacks the discipline without the ball to play CM though. Should have started on the right wing in my opinion.
Wijnaldum (6) – Was in and out of the game. One driving run forward created a chance for Salah although I was screaming at him to shoot himself and fancy if he’d been playing for Holland he probably would have. We needed more of that last night from our midfielders however, somebody breaking through the lines.
Ox (4) – One decent long range effort aside, I honestly barely remember him getting a touch. He’s totally ineffective when he plays out wide. He should play as an 8 or not at all.
Origi (5) – Divock actually looked quite bright first half, trying to use his speed and physicality to create something but that miss… He simply had to score that. As was mentioned on the thread, totally wrong shot choice. Tried to burst the top corner of the net rather than just rolling it past the keeper. His days at the club are numbered I suspect.
Mane (6) – Huffed and puffed but lacked any real quality. Was shielding and holding the ball up well, especially first half but then struggling to get past his man or create anything. I can’t remember Mane having any decent shooting opportunities the last couple of games which is a bit of a concern.
Subs:
Salah (6) – Forced Pope into an excellent save and I admired his work rate at one point, as he pressed the ball all the way from the RB position to the LW. His dribbling has been poor in recent weeks though, I’ve lost count of the number of times he just runs straight into a defender as if he’s expecting them to get out the way.
Firmino (5) – Struggled to get involved in the game although almost nicked a goal after a deflection. Not the way our luck is at the moment though.
Minamino (N/A) – Must be wondering just how bad our forwards have to be before he can get some minutes. Can’t be good for his confidence.
Klopp-watch (4) – The gaffer has been making some strange decisions recently. I thought leaving Salah out – both our and the Premier league’s top scorer, when you couldn’t buy a goal was a strange decision but more so, how he lined up with Ox on the wing and Shaqiri CM. Shaqiri’s favoured position is RW and Ox favours the right side of a midfield three so why he started them in the positions he did I don’t know. Fiery encounter at halftime with Sean Dyche but it’s good to see the passion and I also liked how he took full responsibility for the result in his post match interview. He badly needs to come up with the solutions to our current woes however.
Summary
Well it had to happen sooner or later. Almost four years since our last Anfield defeat, at least it wasn’t United last week. Someone made a good point earlier today (sorry I forget who) that losing the unbeaten home record may actually be a blessing in disguise, as it takes some of that pressure off, having one less record to think about. Time will tell on that one.
Our performances are growing increasingly worrying however, although there were signs of improvement first half last night. We need Hendo back in that midfield though and as I said earlier, I’d give Milner the nod at RB for the next 2-3 games. When you’re out of form, players like Milner and Hendo are the ones you need to fall back on. Maybe not the most technically gifted members of the squad but players with the absolute right mentality to battle through adversity and drive a team on and sometimes you need that more than silky skills.
United again next then and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t approaching the game with some trepidation. At the same time, if we win the game, it would be a huge lift to both fans and players alike and could just be the springboard needed to get our mojo back. God knows we need that springboard from somewhere. Walk on!
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