Liverpool came through an awkward game against Burnley on Saturday to move back atop the Premier League table.
It was far from straightforward, as the Clarets squandered a number of guilt edged chances at Anfield. Three goals and three points for the Reds, though. Here’s how we rated the players.
Defence
Caoimhin Kelleher: 8 (Man of the Match) – There was a worry for Liverpool fans as Alisson Becker went down with flu ahead of the game. But they needn’t have been concerned, as Kelleher did his best impression of the Brazilian. Two point blank saves, first from Zeki Amdouni and then most impressively as David Datro Fofana went clean though. Two huge stops that Alisson would have been proud of. We needed him today and Caoimh stood tall.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6 – An assist from Trent put him clear as the Premier League’s top assisting defender of all time. Otherwise a forgettable 45 minutes from the 25-year-old, who was partially culpable for the build-up to Burnley’s equaliser. Hooked at half-time with a suspected injury.
Jarell Quansah: 5 – Possibly the youngster’s worst game in a Liverpool shirt as he couldn’t deal with the lively Clarets forward line. Booked early on for a wild lunge and was later involved in the mix up that should’ve seen Fofana equalise. Needs to learn when to play cool and when to up the tempo.
Virgil van Dijk: 6 – Struggled a little just like Quansah. Nothing glaring like last week from the skipper, but not his commanding self. Should have scored with a free header from a well delivered Andy Robertson ball in.
Andy Robertson: 5– It was great to see Robbo back in the starting XI for the first time since October. But this was a poor showing. Understandably rusty after so long out, the £10m man was disjointed going forward and a little unsure at the back. Grew into the game though and will get better.
Midfield
Wataru Endo: 6 – Like Robertson, looked very rusty indeed in the opening half. Having been away for more than a month, Endo seemed a little to have forgotten all that he’d learnt before leaving for the Asian Cup. Picked up a sloppy booking in the first-half but got better in the second as he remembered he needs to play a little higher up the pitch.
Alexis Mac Allister: 6 – Given the chance to play in a more advanced role with Endo behind him, but couldn’t get into the game. There were one or two nice little balls and some robust tackling as usual. However currently looks more suited to the 6, where he can see much more of the ball.
Curtis Jones: 7 – Like his midfield partners, Jones couldn’t get going in the first-half. A shift to right-back for the second 45 saw him improve though, as he locked down the dangerous Wilson Odobert and gave the Reds another element.
Attack
Diogo Jota: 7 – As usual, it was Jota who got the Reds off the mark. Just when they needed a goal, the 27-year-old popped up in the box to head home after James Trafford misjudged a corner. Aside from that, he was a touch wasteful with one or two snapshots, but was a threat throughout.
Darwin Nunez: 7 – Looked like it wouldn’t be his day as he battled against Dara O’Shea to no avail. But as he does, kept going and nodded in a lovely header from Harvey Elliott’s dinked ball in. He’ll have more effective days, but got his rewards.
Luis Diaz: 6 – Still can’t seem to get on the same wavelength as his teammates whenever Liverpool break. Leads so many dangerous attacks but too often picks the wrong pass to kill momentum. Deserves praise for getting in to nod the Reds back in front, though. Three goals in five games now is pleasing to see.
Substitutes
Harvey Elliott: 8 – Elliott has struggled a touch of late but came on to great effect on Saturday. Set up Liverpool’s second and third goals and generally made the right-hand side much more tidy. Worked well with Jones behind him to keep the Reds in possession. An excellent showing from the 20-year-old.
Cody Gakpo: 6 – Came on with the job almost done and couldn’t offer anything to further Liverpool’s lead.
Bobby Clark: N/A
James McConnell: N/A
Kostas Tsimikas: N/A – But great to see him back!
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