I thought we were very good throughout, aside from being way too gung-ho in the second half. Quite why our full backs keep on bombing on even when we're two goals to the good is a mystery to me, but as they ALL do it I can only assume it's what they've been instructed to do. I thought Can was fortunate not to get sent off, but I don't think it would have altered the result.
My ratings:
Migs: A couple of goodish saves but still didn't really inspire any confidence. If Karius isn't better than him he has no business at the club, even at 24yo. 6/10.
Clyne: One or two excellent moments in defence, got forward with gusto but his final ball wasn't good on occasions. Decent performance though from Mister consistency. 7/10.
Matip: Did well throughout and managed to hold it all together even when they decided to come out and play. Should have scored from Coutinho's beautifully flighted free-kick, but aside from that was very good. 7/10.
Klavan: Certainly a massive upgrade on Lucas and was solid throughout. I like him to tell the truth, a good honest pro. 7/10.
Milner: His usual tireless self, bombing up and down the line all game and giving 110%. That we have gone all season with Milly at left-back is a fantastic achievement by him, and I thought he was very good yet again today despite often having to deal with the best attacking right back in the league. 7/10.
Wijnaldum: One of his better games capped off with an excellent goal. 7/10.
Lallana: Clear MOM and aside from one overhit pass barely put a foot wrong. At this level he really is a class player, one of the best in the league. 9/10.
Can: Lucky to stay on the pitch IMHO but overall probably his best performance of the season. 7.5/10.
Firmino: Took his goal well and got a good assist for the second. Tireless in his running and this was definitely his best game since Christmas. Hopefully this signifies the proper return to form from him that we desperately need, given he is clearly going to get selected regardless of how he plays we really could do with him being on song from now on. 7.5/10.
Coutinho: Little flashes of brilliance and quality all over. Not his best game by any means but still a shining star of a player. 7/10.
Mane: Excellent performance from Saido, on this form he's very difficult to contain. Great goal too. 8/10.
Subs:
Origi: Did well when he came on, ran around a lot which was what was needed. 7/10.
Pretty much agree with that, although I'd give Mig's a 7 personally. Made a really good save against Giroud as he moved across the goal and dived back the way he came from, I was honestly expecting the net to ripple from that.
The Wellbeck goal was just exquisitely taken and you can't
really begrudge a quality finish like that getting past the keeper.
He was a bit ropey on the crosses as usual, and flapped at thin air, but he collected a nice one (bread n butter) cross in the first half to wipe out Wellbeck.
But like you said, if Karius can't oust him then no matter his age he really shouldn't be here.
I also like Klavan too, I think he's usually neat and tidy and uses his experience well when covering the back line. I think he came in for a bit of stick earlier on at the turn of the year but I've put that down to the old boy being flogged in and around a congested fixture list. With the added Brucie Bonus that it's his first year in the wild west of the Premier league, he looked dead on his feet during that period. And with that said, I hope to f**k we're never that desperate again that we have to resort to using Lucas in there.
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