Jurgen Klopp wanted Liverpool to be “angry” in their performance against Hull City and his team certainly delivered. Liverpool came out all guns blazing thumping the guests with a 5-1 victory.
The Reds were on top of their game while The Tigers were totally off it, particularly when they worsened things for themselves after they were down to ten men after Elmohamady was shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball which also gave Liverpool their first penalty of the match and second goal.
Liverpool are now fourth in the league behind Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal. Here are the player ratings for the match.
Liverpool
Loris Karius – 6.5/10
Karius finally made his Premier League debut but hardly had anything to do in the entire first half. He failed to keep a clean sheet with David Meyler’s goal but in Karius’ defence, he couldn’t have done much to stop it. Overall, it was quite an easy debut for the German.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
Clyne has been consistent in giving decent performances every game this season and continued that even in this match. He was strong defensively and supported the attacks well, even getting a chance himself.
Joel Matip – 8/10
Matip has been key in Liverpool’s defensive schemes since he started playing for the Reds and he again put up a great performance. He was solid in defence, looked classy on and off the ball and owned everything in the air. He definitely seems like one of Liverpool’s best signings this summer.
Ragnar Klavan – 8/10
Klavan was brought into the team in place of Dejan Lovren who missed out due to illness and put up an impressive performance. Klavan made some important passes, showed composure, maintained momentum and kept passing the ball out into the midfield.
James Milner – 9/10
Milner was declared the man of the match despite having serious competition from a few of his teammates. He was reliable as always and cool as ever from the spot during both penalties – which he scored with so much ease - and again, dominated in his new role as left-back.
Jordan Henderson – 8/10
Henderson had another great game. He keeps showing how much of a special player he can be when in form. He delivered another faultless performance. With a 97% pass completion and immense in the tackle, he bossed the midfield.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 8/10
Wijnaldum was on song as well in the midfield. He was strong, energetic, rarely lost the ball whilst also winning the ball back many times. Astute with the ball in possession, he just showed how he’s a great addition to the team.
Adam Lallana – 9/10
Lallana continued his brilliant start to the season and was wondrous for Liverpool in his central midfield role again. He scored a quality opening goal and also provided assists to both Coutinho and Mane. He already has three goals and three assists in six games.
Philippe Coutinho – 9/10
Coutinho scored a beauty of a goal from outside the box– one quite typical to his style – as a response to Hull’s goal. He dropped into a deeper role in the midfield which showed his creativity. He also provided the assist to Lallana’s opener and kept the momentum.
Sadio Mane – 9/10
Mane continues to be Liverpool’s best signing of the summer. Again was the impact player. He scored another powerful goal, tracked back retrieving possession constantly and created attacks. He, like Lallana, now has three goals and three assists in six games.
Roberto Firmino – 8.5/10
Firmino did everything right but just couldn’t manage to get a goal or an assist. He moved very well; there was lots of fluidity, intelligence in his movement, found space between lines, combinations and made quite a few selfless runs – particularly the one leading to Lallana’s goal.
Substitutes
Daniel Sturridge – 7/10
Sturridge came on in the 67th minute for Adam Lallana and his first involvement after introduction was winning Liverpool their second penalty.
Marko Grujic - N/A
Grujic came on in place of Coutinho in the 73rd minute as part of a double substitution. He barely touched the ball to have made any difference. Emre Can – N/A
Can came on in place of skipper Jordan Henderson also in the 73rd minute. He received some precious game time after recovering from injury, more than anything, but he couldn’t really make any difference to the proceedings.
Hull City
David Marshall – 6/10
It’s clearly a horrible game for a goalkeeper when the opposition team gets five goals into the net. Except for the two penalties, he couldn’t do much based on the quality of goals Liverpool scored.
Ahmed Elmohamady – 4/10
Elmohamady didn’t just get straight red-carded for a deliberate handball but also handed Liverpool their first penalty. He did clear a good early chance by Coutinho early on though.
Jake Livermore – 6/10
Livermore had the most touches for Hull and passed decently at the back.
Curtis Davies – 4/10
All Davies did was head a cross by James Milner very early in the game. However, he did lead from the front in what was to be a thrashing.
Andrew Robertson – 4.5/10
Robertson took down Daniel Sturridge in the box and handed Liverpool their second penalty. Also did a dismal job on controlling Mane on the right
Samuel Clucas – 6.5/10
Clucas was probably Hull’s best player and one of the very few worthy of credit at the end. He showed a lot of energy in spite of Liverpool’s swarming. He eventually got into more damage control mode more than chance creating.
Tom Huddlestone – 5/10
Huddlestone received an early yellow in the game and was also taken off early in the second half for Maguire as they wanted to go for a back five in defence.
Ryan Mason – 5/10
Mason had his full Premier League debut this match but didn’t enjoy it very well as he received a yellow card for a late tackle on Coutinho. He was subbed in the 73rd minute for Henriksen.
Robert Snodgrass – 5.5/10
Snodgrass received a knock and struggled after. He was also dominated by Milner with tackles and ball retrieving.
Abel Hernandez – 5/10
Hernandez had a very poor game. He barely touched the ball. He just showed how he might not be fit to play as the one up front when required.
Adama Diomande – 5/10
Diomande hardly had time to make an impact or impress as he was subbed in the 33rd minute for David Meyler.
Substitutes
David Meyler – 6.5/10
Meyler came on for Diomande in the 33rd minute and proved to be a good substitution as he scored Hull’s only goal early in the second half. He slammed a goal in after Liverpool failed to clear a corner.
Harry Maguire – 5/10
Maguire came on for Huddlestone as a half-time change - to go for a back five in defence. He didn’t do much more than win a free kick in the defensive half.
Markus Henriksen – N/A
Henriksen came on for Mason in the 74th minute and made no difference or impact as such.
