Liverpool clashed heads with FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Champions League earlier tonight having already secured progression as the group winners into the knockout phases of the competition. The Reds made a dream start to the game when Mohamed Salah scored the opener in the first minute. The Merseyside outfit defended their narrow lead well and went into the half-time break one goal to the good.
The home side came back stronger in the second 45 minutes and scored a deserved equaliser courtesy of Alexander Scholz’s penalty after the hour mark. Both sides had a goal disallowed by VAR as the contest ended with a 1-1 scoreline.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the match against FC Midtjylland.
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – 7.5/10
Kelleher made some solid stops at the back and was a commanding presence inside his penalty box. However, he will be disappointed for not saving Scholz’s penalty after guessing to dive on the right side of his goal.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6/10
It was a welcome start for the English right-back who played okay but more importantly, got some valuable minutes under his belt.
CB: Rhys Williams – 7/10
Williams won some important headers and did relatively well when being tested by the opposition at the back. However, he won’t be happy after conceding a poor second-half goal.
CB: Fabinho – 8/10
The Brazilian centre-back was often quick to snuff out the danger and kept a clean sheet during his time on the field. He also made a crucial goal-line clearance as well and got subbed at half-time.
LB: Konstantinos Tsimikas – 6/10
Tsimikas worked hard in both ends of the field without creating anything of note in the final third. He went off injured at the hour mark.
CM: Takumi Minamino – 5/10
The Japanese international pressed the opposition well but was often overpowered by them when in possession of the ball. He was unfortunate to see his goal ruled out by VAR in the second half.
CM: Leighton Clarkson – 5/10
Clarkson was bright and vibrant in the first half. However, he struggled to keep up with the flow of the game in the second 45 minutes.
CM: Naby Keita – 6/10
The Guinean midfielder tried his best to make some driving runs with the ball but failed to cut open the Midtjylland defence with his passes.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 6/10
The Egyptian winger scored an early goal and was a constant menace in the first half. However, he struggled to get himself any clear-cut chances in the second half.
ST: Divock Origi – 5/10
The Belgian striker tried too hard at times and lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
LW: Diogo Jota – 6/10
The ex-Wolves winger had an off-night in front of goal. However, he kept himself going and won his team a few freekicks without creating too much in the attacking end of the field.
Substitutes:
CB: Billy Koumetio – 5/10
He struggled to fill in Fabinho’s big shoes in the second half but would learn a lot from his experience tonight.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 6/10
The Liverpool captain added some energy in midfield but struggled to get a foothold in the game towards the latter stages of the contest.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 6/10
Robertson did his defensive duties well but failed to make himself useful in the opposition half.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 5/10
The Brazilian striker struggled to get into the game after coming off the bench.
LW: Sadio Mane – N/A
He hardly had any time to make an impact.
