Liverpool ended their training camp in Dubai with an excellent 4-1 win over Italian Champions AC Milan.
An early goal from Mohamed Salah was cancelled out by the lively Alexis Saelemaekers, before Thiago Alcantara blasted in a delightful second.
The second half saw a host of changes, but Liverpool continued their dominance. Darwin Nunez showed no signs of a World Cup hangover, bagging himself a couple of goals during his half hour on the pitch.
Liverpool lost the subsequent shootout 4-3, but all-in-all it was a good evening’s work. Here’s how we rate the players.
Defence
Caoimhin Kelleher 6 – Nothing much of note for Kelleher, who showed a decent range of passing throughout. Could have perhaps done more for the goal, which squirmed past him.
James Milner 6 – A decent night’s work for Milner, who filled in at right-back. Got up and down as diligently as you’d expect.
Joel Matip 7 – A comfortable night for big Joel, who gets an extra point for a lovely little assist for Salah. Somehow finding himself on Milan’s 18-yard box four minutes into the game, Matip’s touched pass was perfect for the Egyptian to open the scoring.
Joe Gomez 6 – 83 minutes in the tank for Joe, who didn’t always look completely comfortable here. Strolled through it in the end, but would like to see something a little more from him.
Andy Robertson 5 – At fault for the goal, missing his header and then giving Saelemaekers far too much room. Almost gifted Milan a second with a terrible back-pass later in the half.
Midfield
Thiago Alcantara 8 (Man of the Match) – The best player on the pitch by a country mile. Dictated play right from the start and smashed in a wonderful goal from the edge of the area. No back-lift at all. Delightful. Or, rather, ‘unbelievable.’
Harvey Elliott 6 – Didn’t get into the game particularly well, nowhere near as effective as his midfield partners. Need to see more.
Stefan Bajcetic 7 – Grew into the game alongside Thiago, biting into tackles and picking his passes well. Clearly growing in confidence.
Attack
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 7 – Did well on the left of the front three. At times looked a little rusty but linked up nicely with Salah and Roberto Firmino. Good to have him back
Roberto Firmino 7 – Like Ox, a few rusty touches but definitely far more good than bad from Bobby.
Mohamed Salah 8 – In the game much more than we’ve seen from him at times this season. Always looked a threat and took his goal very nicely.
Substitutes
Adrian 5 – Not much too do for the substitute goalie. Could have done better on the penalties, letting one squirm underneath him. Kostas Tsimikas 6 – Looked a little brighter than Robertson. Naby Keita 6 – Looked fit and ready to play his part, but gets a point knocked off for a dreadful penalty.
Darwin Nunez 8 – Fell over the ball with his first touch, got a shot off with his second, then bagged two strikers finishes. Welcome back Darwin! Fabio Carvalho 5 – Didn’t get into it enough, doesn’t look like a left winger. Melkamu Frauendorf 6 – Did well at right-back, proved a more energetic presence than Milner.
Nat Phillips 6 – Nothing of note for big Nat, more minutes in the legs. Dominic Corness 6 – Did his job with minumum fuss, but nothing to set him apart. Bobby Clark 8 – What an assist for Nunez’s first. Fades an exquisite ball 60 yards along the deck for the striker to chase. Inch perfect. Lashed his penalty in and looks like a proper, proper player. Ben Doak 8 – See Bobby Clark. Straight away wants to get at his defender, unlucky with a low shot that crashed back off the post, then set up Nunez with a lovely ball across goal. So, so exciting. Jarrell Quansah 6 – Came on, minutes in the legs.
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