Trent 6.5
I really feel for Trent, I really do. He is being thrown in at the deep end and being targeted by everyone we play. In time I think it will make him a much better player. Those long balls are not only a threat to him but the rest of our team, I thought we would have had Van Dijk man marking Benteke but he he was dropping even deeper,
However, his second half performance was much better, especially when Lovren came on. After all he is a midfielder. He was able to play with freedom and get forward much more without having to worry as much going back. And to his credit Zaha is a fucking boss footballer.
People are quick to criticise Trent but he’s 19.
Joel Matip 6
Didn’t do anything of note for me. Usually his passing to the front players is what contributes to breaking down low block sides. Wasn’t poor but going to need to step up more over the next few games. Still reminds me of the waving inflatable tube guy.
Would be nice to see him put in a commanding performance, put someone on the floor or just be a bastard. Its not his game but ultimately one of his faults too. I don’t mean give away a needless free kick but put when it comes to players like Benteke, shit them up. ‘Let them know you’re there.’
Virgil Van Dijk 7
Where would we be with out Virgil van Dijk? A rock absolute rock again. Commanding in the box and in the air. On the few occasions Palace got through, he was there. Also a huge fan of his decision making and him spraying 70 yard passes to either flanks.
Andy Robertson 8
Our best player for me. Tireless running, persistence and quality balls into the box. Nothing fazes him and I love it. Defensively sound again, kept Townsend fairly quiet. Always seem to make the right decision when it comes to making runs, letting players overlap him or when it comes to passing.
Jordan Henderson 6
Thought our midfield was overwhelmed today. Particularly in the first half, we were bullied. Again passing was woeful from everyone. Benteke beats him to the header leading up to the goal. He should at least make an attempt to play the ball. Again like Karius, if we hadn’t won he’d be in for more criticism.
Gini Wijnaldum – 5
Still a huge fan of him winning the ball by shoving people with his arse. He doesn’t seem to provide an awful lot besides that. We have seen him drive forward with the ball before and yet we saw nothing like that. Given we were behind we needed to move the ball quicker to penetrate the Palace defence. His away record isn’t great and I wasn’t surprised to see him come off in the second half. He has been out for a number of weeks but as mentioned we have three massive games coming against better opposition……….and Everton.
James Milner – 7
A 7 might be a bit generous but we won so fuck it. Milner is an absolute machine, he was everywhere today. Linked up well with Robertson and often found himself on the left flank. I think his experience comes into play during games like this, he is calm and it rubs off on others. Great to see him get an assist for Mane.
Sadio Mane 7
Fuck me, where do I start. As I write this Graeme Souness is trying to bully that former ref that looks like the lead singer from REM to say it was defiantly a pen. I don’t know, there is contact of course but he doesn’t help his case by going down quicker than a bird from Fake Taxi. Apparently.
Should have picked up a second yellow for handball. Yes, he was fouled but the ref didn’t give it. Pretty dangerous game to play considering it was 1-1 at the time. Brilliant movement for his goal, mugging off Sakho. Nice finish too. Mane doesn’t get the praise of Bobby and Salah but he does so much off the ball and never gives up.
Mo Salah 8
Quiet game for Salah but provided the goods again when needed! He had a few chances in the first half but Palace were well organised. Great composure for his goal, putting Sakho on his arse and stealing three points. A step closer to the golden boot and a step closer to regaining a top four spot for Liverpool. He came alive after he scored due to Place chucking Sakho up top, again important going forward into next week.
Roberto Firmino 6
It pains me to give Bobby a six but he just wasn’t at it for me today. Palace just wouldn’t give him a sniff. He made a couple of superb tackles in important places at important times during the second half but just didn’t perform to his ability. Can’t fault his effort, never can. Expect him to be up for City and the Ev.
Subs
Adam Lallana 3. Also the amount of minutes he was on.
Feel for Adam, really wanted him to push on towards the business end of the season. Looks like we won’t be seeing him at all until the summer. I’m not sure what this means for his future at Liverpool, he has been an important player for us but he’s missed so much football.
Dejan Lovren 6
Wasn’t on for that long but did a solid job as Palace threw the kitchen sink at us in the last ten minutes. Also allowed Trent to push up to support Mo Salah. Fancy him to start against City on Wednesday.
Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain 6
An OK performance from Ox, wasn’t on for that long either. Composed passing out to Trent on a few occasions and always looks to drive an the defence, something we lacked in the first half. Think he may start against City too.
Article by @rossic89
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Article by @rossic89
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