Premier League football returned this weekend following a tedious international break when Liverpool travelled to Etihad to encounter Manchester City in an electrifying encounter. Liverpool hold great record against big guns and their recent run promised an end-to-end display. City had a slow start and were hoping to gather a momentum at home which they did with an emphatic 5-0 victory against their bogey opponents.
Below are the Liverpool players rated from the fixture.
Simon Mignolet: 6
Only Liverpool player who can take pride from this disastrous defeat. 5-0 is enough humiliation, however, it could be even worse if he had not pulled off a number of stunning saves to deny Aguero, Jesus and Liverpool’s Joel Matip who was so close to scoring an own goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 4
Was disappointing from the very beginning of the game. Was bullied by Kevin De Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy repeatedly and never managed to stop them from whipping in crosses.
Joel Matip: 5
Was slow to react and despite trying hard to hold defensive shape, he was troubled repeatedly by relentless City attackers. Almost scored an own to add to Liverpool’s misery, however, Mignolet was there who managed to keep it out avoid further humiliation.
Ragnar Klavan: 4.5
The Estonian international was preferred over Lovren but failed miserably to perform his defensive duties. He lost possession dangerously and looked vulnerable from set-pieces.
Alberto Moreno: 5.5
Moreno kept on making forward runs to support the attackers in the first half. But Mane’s sent off changed the whole context of the game and the Spaniard had to sit back deep and help the defenders.
Jordan Henderson: 4.5
Liverpool midfield was highly non-existent and the skipper struggled to charge his side up after being down to ten-men. Despite snatching back possession in midfield, he often handed it over to the opponents under pressure.
Emre Can: 4.5
Can had a scintillating inception of the new campaign, however, the German international was below par throughout the game as he neither managed to help his defence nor completed his down the middle runs to link up with the attackers.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 4
Wijnaldum was lost in the middle of the park and delivered one of his worst performances in Liverpool colours particularly after a stellar show against Arsenal. Was taken off in the second half and was replaced by James Milner.
Mohamed Salah: 6
Started the game in his usual right-hand flank and kept on troubling City defence with his menacing runs. But the Egyptian must work on his decision making and finishing skills if he wants to be a major influence in Liverpool’s attack. Was surprisingly taken off at half-time and was replaced by new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Sadio Mane: 5
Made a few purposeful runs and troubled City defence with his dribbling skills. However, it went all wrong for August’s Premier League Player of the Month who was shown a straight red following a collision with City custodian Ederson which looked completely unintentional from the replay.
Roberto Firmino: 5.5
Looked isolated in the upfront after Mane’s sent off and failed to create anything spectacular to alter the scoreline. Was taken off in the second half to be replaced by teenager Dominic Solanke.
Substitutes
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 5
Played the entire second half. Could not prevent his new side from a humiliation.
James Milner: 5.5
The former Manchester City star came on in place of ineffective Wijnaldum. Although he worked hard to calm down the tempo and win back possession, his arrival did not cause much difference in the game.
Dominic Solanke: 5
Came in place of Firmino. Failed to create anything spectacular.
