Champions League 2017/18: Liverpool 2-2 Sevilla, Player Ratings

It was yet another tale of Liverpool's defence undoing the good work done by their attack. A sloppy clearance from Dejan Lovren gave Sevilla an early lead but some breathtaking attack from the home side gave them the lead at halftime.

Sevilla scored with their only two shot on targets while Liverpool had two dozen shots and 7 on target.

Philippe Coutinho made a much-awaited return to the Liverpool team against the Spanish side but looked out of sync and touch. His cameo was not enough to secure all three points.

Liverpool

Loris Karius - 6/10

Sevilla had two shots on target and they scored with both. However, there was nothing Karius could have done with either goal. He did well to come out to claim crosses and make punches.

Joe Gomez - 6/10

Although he was sent off during added time of the second half, he had a solid game. Sevilla linked up well from their left-hand side but Gomez held them off quite well. He was also involved with the sending off of Sevilla’s manager.

Joel Matip - 7/10

Matip played like a top class ball playing centre back with some brilliant runs from deep carrying the ball. He also made some well-timed interceptions and tackles but switched off when Sevilla took the corner that led to their second goal.

Dejan Lovren - 5/10:

Made a hash of a simple clearance which resulted in Sevilla’s opening goal. He didn’t do much wrong after that but his mistake eventually cost Liverpool two points in a home game. It is high time for him to step up his game and cut down such silly mistakes.

Alberto Moreno - 8/10

The Spaniard was a constant threat down the left-hand side with Sadio Mane and made life difficult for Gabriel Mercado. He whipped in some brilliant crosses and played a neat one-two with Jordan Henderson before setting up Firmino for Liverpool’s first. He also had a good game defensively but could have received a second yellow on another day.

Jordan Henderson - 6/10

Was his industrious self, made some good tackles and passes. His through ball to find Moreno inside the box led to Liverpool’s opening goal. However, he lost possession with some wayward passes and put his teammates under pressure with some of his passing when pressed.

Georginio Wijnaldum - 7/10

Wijnaldum was once again brilliant in a home game and linked up well with Mohamed Salah in the first half. The Dutchman made some good runs, kept the ball ticking throughout and also helped out in defence

Emre Can - 7/10

Can was caught watching as Ben Yedder scored the first but had a good game otherwise. He provided cover for Moreno and found himself in goalscoring positions often. He could and maybe should have converted a chance towards the end of the first half. Nevertheless, he looks a much-improved player.

Sadio Mane - 8/10

Mane was back to his best following the red card against Manchester City. He troubled the Sevilla defence constantly with his pace and dribbling and also won the Reds a penalty in the first half. His dummy, quick turning and acceleration proved to be difficult to deal with.

Roberto Firmino - 7/10

The Brazilian dropped deep to create space for the wingers and also made some good runs into the box which eventually led to him scoring the first goal. He had the chance to score again but his penalty rebounded off the post after he sent the keeper the wrong way.

Mohamed Salah - 8/10

Salah was constantly looking to run in behind the Sevilla defence and also helped his defence out. His was tenacious and won the ball back from Nzonzi before scoring Liverpool’s second. The Egyptian also carried the ball well and helped create space for the other attackers.

Subs:

Philippe Coutinho - 6/10

The Brazilian made his return to the playing squad after his summer transfer saga for the first time. He looked out of sorts during his cameo. His touch and passing let him down and his corners were also below par.

Daniel Sturridge - N/A

Hardly had any time to make any impact after he came on and didn’t make any telling contribution either.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - N/A

Got very little time on the pitch but won two corners towards the end of the game.

Sevilla

Correa celebrates after equalizing for Sevilla

Sergio Rico - 6/10

Rico was clearly the busier of the two keepers and made some decent saves in the first half. He fumbled the ball on a few occasions but was reliable overall.

Gabriel Mercado - 6/10

Mercado had a tough outing against the pace and trickery of Sadio Mane and Alberto Moreno. He ended up getting a yellow card for a foul on Roberto Firmino and could have easily been sent off for a second bookable offence on another day.

Nicolas Pareja - 6/10

The captain struggled in the first half and conceded a penalty with some sloppy defending against Sadio Mane. However, he was solid in the second half and helped his fullback deal with Liverpool’s wingers.

Simon Kjaer - 6/10

Was hurried and hassled by Liverpool’s pressing in the first half but regained his composure and read the game well in the second. His wicked deflection from Salah’s shot resulted in the Liverpool’s second goal.

Sergio Escudero - 7/10

Like his other partners in defence, Escudero also had a difficult evening defending against Liverpool’s wingers. Salah got on his wrong side on several occasions but he improved as the game went on. He was involved in some good passing moves down the left-hand side with Correa and assisted Sevilla’s opener.

Guido Pizarro - 5/10

Struggled to get into the game at all. He went down with a calf injury in the first half and was taken off for Pablo Sarabia.

Steven Nzonzi - 7/10

One of the best players for Sevilla on the night and helped stop many Liverpool attacks before they could do any damage. He covered for the fullbacks really well in the second half and helped nullify the threat down the wings.

Ever Banega - 6/10

Liverpool didn’t let Banega do a lot of damage with his incisive passing as they closed him down quickly. However, he was still able to keep possession once he dropped deeper following the injury to Pizarro.

Jesus Navas - 5/10

Navas wasn’t able to capitalise on the space Moreno leaves when Liverpool attack, instead he was forced to cover for his fullback. His most telling contribution was being on the receiving end of a bookable offence from Moreno.

Joaquin Correa - 8/10

The Argentine winger was easily Sevilla’s best attacking outlet on the night. He was involved with some good passing moves with Escudero down the wing and scored the visitor’s equaliser with a good finish.

Wissam Ben Yedder - 7/10

Other than scoring Sevilla’s opening goal, Ben Yedder was hardly involved when Sevilla attacked. He was subbed off for Luis Muriel in the second half. However, the goal still gets him a 7 rating.

Subs

Pablo Sarabia - 6/10

Sarabia was the first half sub for Pizarro and was equally absent during the game. He did move the ball around but was unable to carve out a decent chance for his team.

Luis Muriel - 7/10

Made a telling defence after he came on. His pace and directness stretched the Liverpool defence and brought them out of their comfort zone. He did well to assist Correa’s equaliser.

Sebastian Corchia - N/A

The right back was brought on at the end to play down the right wing and he made more attacking contributions than Navas in the few minutes he was on the pitch.