Liverpool entertained Leicester City at Anfield yesterday night looking to stretch their lead to 7 points at the top of the Premier League table. The Reds began the match on the offensive and took the lead in the 3rd minute courtesy of Sadio Mane’s smart finish. However, the Foxes hit back just before half-time when Harry Maguire equalised from close range.
The second half was a bit different with Leicester coming alive to win a lot of 50-50 balls in midfield which frustrated the Reds and hampered their flow of the game. Both teams fought hard but couldn’t manage to add to the goal tally as the match finished with a 1-1 scoreline.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the match against the Foxes.
GK: Alisson Becker – 5/10
The Brazilian keeper made a few solid saves during the game but was also guilty of making a couple of mistakes at the back which could have cost his team.
RB: Jordan Henderson – 6.5/10
The Liverpool skipper played with a lot of heart and passion as a makeshift right-back and put in some dangerous crosses from the right flank.
CB: Joel Matip – 5.5/10
The Cameroonian centre-back didn’t track Maguire’s late run in the lead up to the Foxes equaliser. Otherwise, he did enough to keep things tight at the back.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 6.5/10
The Dutch defender remained calm under pressure and dealt with Jamie Vardy’s pace quite well.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 6/10
The Scottish full-back was a good outlet down the wide areas in the first half. However, he gave away a cheap foul just before half-time which gave Leicester a chance to get the ball into the box. Unfortunately for him, Maguire ended up scoring the equaliser which cost Liverpool two points from the contest.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 7.5/10
The Liverpool midfielder worked his socks off and was Liverpool’s best player at the centre of the park. He tried to create a few chances going forward unlike some of his teammates around him.
CM: Naby Keita – 5/10
Another average display from the former RB Leipzig talent. He retained possession well in the first half but completely failed to make an impact in the second. To his credit, the Guinea international should have been awarded a penalty when he was brought down inside the Leicester penalty box after some clever play between him and Firmino, but the referee refused to point to the spot.
RM: Xherdan Shaqiri – 4/10
The Swiss winger showed why Klopp prefers to use him as an impact substitute. He couldn’t get into the game in the first half and understandably got subbed after the hour mark.
CAM: Roberto Firmino – 7/10
The Brazilian forward was unlucky not to score on the night. His two goal-bound attempts were expertly saved by Kasper Schmeichel much to the disappointment of the home supporters.
LM: Sadio Mane – 8/10
The Senegalese speedster was Liverpool’s best player on the pitch. He was the only one willing to take on the Leicester defenders and scored with a good finish early in the game.
ST: Mohamed Salah – 4/10
The Egyptian forward struggled to get himself involved in the second half and was wasteful with the limited opportunities that fell in his path during the game.
Substitutes:
CM: Fabinho – 6/10
The Brazilian midfielder brought some calmness to the Reds midfield after his teammates were simply being dominated by the Foxes in the second half.
CAM: Adam Lallana – 7/10
The English sensation tried to create some chances in the dying embers of the contest, but he just didn’t have enough time to find the winner.
ST: Daniel Sturridge – 5/10
He came on to take a shot from range, but it was way off the mark.
