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Maribor 0-7 Liverpool: Player Ratings

Henry Jackson
17 October 2017

Maribor 0-7 Liverpool

Champions League Group Stage, Stadion Ljudski vrt
October 17, 2017

Goals: Firmino 4′ & 54′, Coutinho 13′, Salah 19′ & 40′, Oxlade-Chamberlain 86′, Alexander-Arnold 89′



Loris Karius – 6.5

Brought in for Simon Mignolet, as expected, Karius enjoyed a faultless night, albeit without ever being tested.

The 24-year-old showed good vision with an early pass slid into midfield, and he showed decent handling down low soon after.

Bigger tests will come his way in the Champions League this season.

Maribor 0-7 Liverpool

Champions League Group Stage, Stadion Ljudski vrt
October 17, 2017

Goals: Firmino 4′ & 54′, Coutinho 13′, Salah 19′ & 40′, Oxlade-Chamberlain 86′, Alexander-Arnold 89′

Loris Karius – 6.5

Brought in for Simon Mignolet, as expected, Karius enjoyed a faultless night, albeit without ever being tested.

The 24-year-old showed good vision with an early pass slid into midfield, and he showed decent handling down low soon after.

Bigger tests will come his way in the Champions League this season.

Dejan Lovren – 6.5

Much like Matip, this was not a match where we could gauge how good Lovren was, but it was refreshing to see him look focussed once more, as was the case against Man United on Saturday.

Unfortunate not to win a second-half penalty, having been kicked in the head.

Alberto Moreno – 7.5

Keeping his place ahead of Andrew Robertson, Moreno was again very impressive, as he enjoys the most unlikely of resurrections in a Liverpool shirt.

The Spaniard’s blistering pace was always an outlet down the left flank, and his precise cross allowed Mohamed Salah to make it 4-0.

Anyone not praising Moreno’s current form clearly has it in for him.

James Milner – 8 (Man of the Match)

With Jordan Henderson given the night off, Milner was given a rare start and he made the most of it in hugely impressive fashion.

The midfielder started well and shone from that point on, assisting Philippe Coutinho with an inch-perfect cross and always playing the right pass.

One of his best performances for the Reds, even though the quality of the opposition must be taken into account.

Emre Can – 7.5

There were more noticeable Reds strutting their stuff in Slovenia, but Can was a dominant presence in the middle of the park.

Maribor’s midfielders couldn’t cope with the German’s power and general quality, and although he did nothing spectacular, he was a key cog in the wheel.

He looked like a leader throughout, and is maturing all the time as a footballer.

James Milner – 8 (Man of the Match)

With Jordan Henderson given the night off, Milner was given a rare start and he made the most of it in hugely impressive fashion.

The midfielder started well and shone from that point on, assisting Philippe Coutinho with an inch-perfect cross and always playing the right pass.

One of his best performances for the Reds, even though the quality of the opposition must be taken into account.

Emre Can – 7.5

There were more noticeable Reds strutting their stuff in Slovenia, but Can was a dominant presence in the middle of the park.

Maribor’s midfielders couldn’t cope with the German’s power and general quality, and although he did nothing spectacular, he was a key cog in the wheel.

He looked like a leader throughout, and is maturing all the time as a footballer.

Philippe Coutinho – 8

Coutinho has been superb since returning to the side after his summer of flirting with Barcelona, and he was again influential on Tuesday night.

His ruthless volleyed finish made it 2-0 and he played a key role Salah’s second of the night, before almost taking the mickey at times after the break.

One trademark free-kick was saved, and some of his touches were a delight.

Roberto Firmino – 8

Firmino’s form hasn’t been the greatest of late, but he was superb against the Reds’ beleaguered opponents.

Not only did the Brazilian net twice, the second of which was a well-timed header, but he linked up with others beautifully and assisted Salah’s goal to make it 3-0.

He could have scored more if his finishing was truly top class, which was the one slight disappointment.




Substitutes

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Salah 57′) – 7

Volleyed over within 30 seconds of getting on the pitch, but got his first Liverpool goal with a well-taken late finish when put through by Sturridge. Positive cameo and a huge confidence booster for him.

Daniel Sturridge (on for Firmino 68′) – 6.5

Looks a fair way past his peak, sadly, but produced a lovely assist for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal.

Dominic Solanke (on for Wijnaldum 76′) – 6

No time to really make a proper impact.

Subs not used: Mignolet, Klavan, Gomez, Henderson