Enjoyed that. Nice comfortable evening, so thank you Liverpool for not reducing me to a state of near heart failure (for once!)
Good performance overall. The whole team did what was asked of them. Good retention, good passing, good pressing. Defence and goalkeeper in all fairness had almost nowt to do!
Mignolet. As easy an evening at Anfield as he's ever likely to have. 6/10
Brad Smith. There's a no nonsense attitude that I love about this guy. He's direct, doesn't fuss about and plays with a straight bat. Continues to do nothing wrong in his search for a full time berth in that position in my opinion. 7/10
CB - Enrique. Very easy game for him tonight. Made some questionable decisions on a couple of occasions in that first half but more or less untroubled. Of course, nothing to suggest he'd make a good auxiliary centre back. 6/10
Ilori. Likewise with Enrique, easy game. Didn't know he was on the field to be honest for much of that match to be honest! 6/10
Randall. Nice burst into the box in the second half by Randall showing impressive pace and strength. No flourishes aside from that, had a comfortable evening. 6/10
Stewart. Got stuck in when he had to but did get carelessly caught on a couple of occasions. There isn't much screaming at us that he will be a regular name rolling off our tongues come the future. Will probably go into the John Welsh category of ex Liverpool players, sort of sub Premier League standard.
Brannagan. Good performance, created his fair share of chances. Slight criticism - could take more risks by sending balls down the middle and I suppose if he is to develop he has to take more risks, Benteke does want to receive balls from the middle after all. Did all that was asked of him though! 7/10
Allen. Got to be honest, I thought he was the best player on the pitch when he was on it. Superb first half performance with some incredible pressing, defensive work and link up play AS WELL as showing intent by getting into the box to receive the ball - and when he did receive it, he scored. As a senior squad player it was the sort of performance we'd expect from in a tie against Exeter and Joe turned up to show that he was indeed just that. Excellent night from Joe Allen showing why he deserves a place in our squad. My MOTM 8/10
Ibe. Showed intent and his best qualities in speed and strength were both on show tonight. I am certainly not as raving of his performance as BT Sport . Still holds on to the ball too long and has to release and find options much much quicker. His speed can be crucial on the break but it counts for nothing if he's failing to find his men and options are soon closed off for him. 7/10
Texiera. Good performance and well taken goal. Deserved as well as he worked very hard. Has physical presence to boot - don't know what our commentator on BT Sport was getting at when he questioned his physical attributes. Would like to see him perform behind a more mobile striker again before making an absolute judgement on him. 7.5/10
Benteke. Strange match. Deserved a goal as I thought he was very good in the first half, did a lot of haranguing and running (surprisingly). In the second half, he reverted back to type. Holding back when he should have been advanced up to the goal line (admittedly on the first time he did that he was expecting the ball to be played back to him - that said that's not his job to be looking for chances outside the box) and his work rate dipped in comparison to the first half, he became leisurely and for that reason we didn't look nearly as threatening or in control as the first half. Lovely work for the first and second goals. Flashbacks of Leicester and Sunderland though when he should have scored at the end. Nevertheless - 6.5/10
Subs:
Ojo - The type of debut goal every Liverpool fan dreams about. Technique, class and in front of the Kop. 18 years old as well but very physical and quite a stature to the man - got impressive technical skills for someone that tall. Maybe hugged the touchline a bit too much but that's nitpicking. What a cameo! 7/10
Chirivella - Not really enough time to make a judgement on to be honest.
Flanno - One of the best moments of the night. The return of Jon Flanagan. Almost instantly played a no fuss ball to Benteke, the sort of commitment and non fannying about we've missed the last 20 months! Welcome back Jon!!
« Last Edit: Jan 20, 2016 11:36:25 pm by Frankly, Mr Shankly »
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