By: Shane Brennan
Liverpool travelled to The Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in the last 16 of The League Cup, but just how did The Reds perform on their return to competitive action?
Caoimhin Kelleher 6 – He was very good for a lot of the game, as he reassured his defence with some steady handling and some astonishing saves, this gives Liverpool’s goalkeeper a good grade tonight despite conceding 3 goals.
Joe Gomez 3 – A difficult night for the Englishman, caught out for the first goal, but we have to take the circumstances into account because he was simply up against a world-class centre forward.
James Milner 4 – He found it a very difficult encounter in parts and he was given the run around by a slick Manchester City side, but on a positive note he was involved in the Liverpool equaliser, before sadly going off injured.
Joel Matip 6.5 – Unfortunately during the first half he found the going tough, but he showed great courage to find the pass for James Milner to have his side on level terms at the break.
Andy Robertson 5.5 – A lot better from The Reds’ attacking defender, as with the rest of the team he struggled early doors against a rampant City side, while he was also caught out for the Riyad Mahrez goal at the beginning of the second half.
Harvey Elliott 4 – Not his best 55 minutes in a red shirt, however, he did unlock the man city defence, and if he could have chosen the right pass, we might have been looking at a different outcome.
Stefan Bajcetic 5 – A Massive test for the young man one from which he would have learned a lot from his half on the field.
Thiago Alcantara 6.5 – Even though he didn’t stand out for once he did find himself with plenty of space that he created himself a few times during the game.
Fabio Carvalho 5.5 – A good finish was the highlight for the young man and some pretty handy defending at times kept his side in a really difficult game.
Darwin Nunez 5 – Three good chances were spurned for the Uruguay international in the first half, from which he failed to capitalise, but a lovely run in the second half put the ball on a plate for Mohamed Salah to level the game up for the second time, however, a golden chance spurned may have cost The Reds a route into the quarter-finals.
Mohamed Salah 5 – Not really involved throughout, but he did manage to get Liverpool back on terms for the second time in the match.
Nathaniel Phillips 6 – An excellent challenge by the substitute on Erling Haaland prevented The Reds from falling behind before halftime, however, he was blocked off easily for City’s winner, other than that he was decent overall.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 6 – Nice performance from the substitute created a goal and really should have been awarded a penalty.
Fabinho 4 – A great block on the line was the Brazilians’ stand-out moment during his time on the field, not his best performance but onwards and upwards from here on.
Naby Keita 4 – Good to see him making progress, surely we will see him back at his best as long as he avoids injury.
Jordan Henderson 4 – Room for improvement, but he will be fine everyone is entitled to an off day.
Conclusion:
Liverpool’s defence of the League Cup came to an end, however, there are still lots of positives to take from a top-drawer battle against the champions of England ahead of the return of league action with a trip to Birmingham to face Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
