Ben Johnson’s player ratings for The Anfield Wrap after Liverpool 2 Real Madrid 5 in the Champions League last 16 at Anfield…
Alisson: 5
Christ. He’s had hard lines a bit there. In that it could have gone anywhere, most importantly it could have gone to one of our lads instead of against one of theirs.
I don’t know. I mean, in the context of full time it was one of them fucking closing door moments where we might win and instead we get fucking banjoed all over the gaff. Small margins.
Trent: 6
This is a mad one to rate this game, as I think The Reds might be cursed. We were great first half and go in 2-2 somehow. No one knows how. And no one really does much wrong. Everyone pretty much plays well, Could he be closer for the first goal? I’m not sure. Maybe.
Gomez: 6
Doesn’t do a whole lot wrong, really. Maybe not close enough for the first in a really harsh world. Maybe in an alternative world he doesn’t pass the ball back to Alisson, because someone has seen the future and tells him to swerve it and maybe he doesn’t dangle a leg. Loads of misfortune, weirdly played alright. What the fuck?
Virgil: 6
What does he do wrong? What do any of them really do wrong? No cunt knows. Somehow we have been twatted.
Robbo: 6
See above. Works all night, breaks down the left, doesn’t do loads wrong, concedes five. Fuck me.
Bajcetic: 6
Plays well enough, but it’s fucking fine margins at this level. Loses the ball at 2-1 in the lead up to their goal. By no means is the goal his fault, but it’s small margins and The Reds got beat 5-2.
Henderson: 6
Fantastic first half, wins everything, somehow goes in 2-2, maybe doesn’t touch the ball second half. Does nothing wrong. The Reds get twatted.
Fabinho: 6
See above. Was sound, really. Better than he has been all season bar last week. The Reds got beat 5-2. Didn’t really do much wrong.
Nunez: 7
What a goal. Fantastic movement, a massive pain in the arse. Shame he went off as it killed The Reds a bit, really.
Gakpo: 5
Good first half, really. In it, presses well, carries it well. Non-existent afterwards.
Salah: 7
Thought he played well, Mo, really. A nuisance. Played well. A threat. The Reds got beat 5-2 somehow.
SUBS
Milner:
Come on and plodded about.
Firmino:
See above, which is a shame.
Elliott:
See above, which is inexcusable given they were olé-ing it and no cunt would lay a glove on them.
Jota:
See above, above, above. Was shite. Nice idea to get us pressing them more, but the changes made us much fucking worse.
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Thought you were going to hammer them harder. Glad you didn’t. That said, Gomez was pretty poor tonight.
I think you missed the point in front of Gomez’s score. He makes Torben Piechnik look like Bekenbauer. Absolutely clueless.
There’s nothing happening inside that head. Ever.
On Trents review might of touched on something ‘ cursed’ feel its more stagnant, need to unblock the old, change structure, coaching, coaches, training methods medical department, bring in new blood to create flow, right now Liverpool appears stuck, and while continue to not address it systematically and hope its gets better, the same loop will play out.
injured players returning will not just hit the ground runnning gonna take time, see Bobby n Jota, and what appears not to be addresed is the mental trauma sustained, Virg and Joe for example have never been the same since horrific injuries, that residue of previous injuriy/ies and fear of being injured again is held in the body and impacts and clouds split second decision making, the muscle reaction is inhibited.
Gomez cost us four goals and has been an absolute liability whenever he’s been on the pitch. Didn’t get close enough for the first. Didn’t take responsibility then played a shite ball for the second. Gives a silly FK away, then on his heels for the 3rd. Soft for the 4th.
A Lovren-esque horror show.
Stupid challenge for the free kick, then ball-watches the resulting headed goal. Deer in the headlights.
I thought Joe played alright.
First goal was about a world class player finding a world class finish. Ok, Gomez could have been closer but Vinicius’ speed of muscle memory was unreal.
Second goal – ok it wasn’t the best pass to Allison. If another keeper was between the sticks then maybe Joe would have done the under14s thing and kicked it into touch.
The header at the corner? Systemic issue there. Everyone is at fault but mainly the coaching team as we’re not great at defending corners. Unless the opposition hit the post and then we rampage up the other end and score.
Other goals? Undone by brittle confidence and Real having Zen finishers.
Antoine rocking up and thinking wins over Everton and Newcastle equipped the reds for a win over any team at this stage of the competition may be deluded.
None moreso than FSG. they’ve been ok owners up to a point, but they didn’t get their super League wish and now need to sell or spend shit loads on the right playing squad;, one or two players won’t ski it. They need to finance at least 7.