Thoughts from today, then. Was impressed, really. Thought we outplayed Liverpool at times, but their extra class showed over the 90. Still, was happy with most performances, and the attitude of the squad is clearly what we need it to be, so hopefully they will pick themselves up and beat Hull and Fulham next two games. Here are my player ratings then
Meslier - 6.5 - I remain impressed by his performances. He was cool and calm on the ball, even when being rushed. Distribution a bit shaky at first, but got better, and clearly a player here. Marked down a bit, as think he could do better with the second goal. Made a good stop to deny Wijnaldum.
Ayling 7 - High rating for a man in a defence that conceded four, but thought he did his job well, and Mane barely got a sniff against him.
Koch - 6 - Tough debut game, but after the first two goals (was unlucky for the handball), thought he grew into it in difficult circumstances, moving the ball well, and putting his body on the line.
Struijk - 6.5 - Similar to Koch. Aside from the mistake, thought he looked promising. Reckon there's a player to develop here. Almost scored a spectacular own goal.
Dallas - 6.5 - Contributed to the attack well, but struggled to marshall Salah as well as Ayling did Mane. Still, he won't be playing him every week.
Phillips - 7.5 - Showing what he didn't get to for England. Some wonderful passing, and his assist for Harrison was superb. Hopefully will continue to show that he is at home in the PL.
Klich - 7.5 - Was impressed by his movement and involvement in the game. Took his goal very well.
Hernandez - 6 - Thought he struggled to really get into the pace of the game and make an impact. A shame, but will be an asset against worse teams.
Harrison - 7.5 - Wonderful goal, and gave TAA a torrid time of it at the back. Good game.
Costa - 7.6 - Just about our best player, for me. Showed what the PL will give him, as he got in behind very well, and ran Robertson ragged. Tired towards the end, but hopefully fitness will come. Wonderful assist for Klich.
Bamford - 7 - Got a good goal after pressing VVD well. Not massively involved other than that.
Subs
Roberts - 6 - Got involved a bit better, but struggled with end product. Still a work in progress. Promising signs though.
Rodrigo - 5 - Struggled to get in the game, as we were sitting back more when he came on. Clumsy tackle for the penalty, but a debut in strange circumstances so willing to forgive him it. Will probably start vs Hull.
Shackleton - 6 - Bielsa showed that he had faith in Jamie. Good energy and pressed well.
So that's my thoughts. Suspect a bit higher numbers than some would give but there we go! Marching on to Hull, and hopefully we win, with Koch and Rodrigo showing what they can do.
----------------------Meslier
Dallas-------Koch---------Struijk---Douglas
-----------------------Phillips
Poveda--Shackleton--Hernandez--Harrison
----------------------Rodrigo
Would be my team. Maybe Davis in for Phillips and Struijk in at CDM. Anyway, ALAW, and MOT.
Lubo Ratings - vs Liverpool
posted on 13/9/20
Agree with Klich, Harrison and Costa. Minus a half point each for the rest. Good performance, they weren’t at their best, but neither were we.
posted on 13/9/20
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 13/9/20
Wouldn't play Cooper vs Hull. If he's carrying a muscle injury then keep him fit for the game against Fulham. Don't want to risk making it worse in a game we should be able to win without him.
posted on 13/9/20
Hope Rodrigo gets a full game and also hope strujik gets one too - thought he got better as game went on
posted on 13/9/20
Meslier 7
Ayling 8
Dallas 6
Strujik 6
Koch 6
Phillips 6
Harrison 8
Costa 8
Klich 8
Pablo 6
Bamford 7
posted on 13/9/20
Agree with that team for hull lubes..
Game time for Rodrigo. To me it looked like he was willing to impress and chase everything.. but agree with another poster on another thread his body language looked as though he doesn’t feel part of team just yet, a goal or bs Hull and I reckon he’ll be w big player for us this year!
Defo keep centre back partners
And defo want to see Paveda!
Once thing I could be tempted to change is Harrison! Thought he ran a lot and wouldn’t be too adverse to see him rested ! I know it’s early in the season though.. just thought his legs looked a bit shot at the end vs pool.
posted on 13/9/20
I would query why, when pundits are praising the team and Sky's correspondent player ratings has us outscoring most of Liverpool's squad do we end up losing. (https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12070200/liverpool-4-3-leeds-player-ratings)
Clearly we conceded four goals from set pieces so there's the issue of the back four as a unit not having played together before but can it be argued that there were some fine individual performances but due to various factors they didn't gel together as a team the way Liverpool did.
posted on 13/9/20
comment by *GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
I'm not sure Costa ran Robbo ragged but he is a good player. Kilch really impressed me as did a couple of others. Not sure Dallas deserves such a high rating either. Salah absolutely battered him.
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salah played really well but he didn't score from open play against dallas at least. maybe half a point less.
can't wait to see rodrigo start. perfect game against hull to get him into the loop.
posted on 13/9/20
comment by The Spanish Italians - it came home (U21595)
posted 58 minutes ago
Agree with that team for hull lubes..
Game time for Rodrigo. To me it looked like he was willing to impress and chase everything.. but agree with another poster on another thread his body language looked as though he doesn’t feel part of team just yet, a goal or bs Hull and I reckon he’ll be w big player for us this year!
Defo keep centre back partners
And defo want to see Paveda!
Once thing I could be tempted to change is Harrison! Thought he ran a lot and wouldn’t be too adverse to see him rested ! I know it’s early in the season though.. just thought his legs looked a bit shot at the end vs pool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
agree re harrison. i'd like to see alioski in
posted on 14/9/20
Ok, using Kebab's format (only due to ease of cut and paste!), I would rate:
Meslier 7
Ayling 7
Dallas 6
Strujik 6
Koch 6
Phillips 7
Harrison 8
Costa 7
Klich 8
Pablo 5
Bamford 7
I'd also like to see Cooper-Koch pairing v Hull (if Coops totally fit) and defo give Rodrigo more time, maybe a whole half v Paddy (accepting that comes with formation tweak).