Liverpool FC vs Newcastle United FC - Player Ratings

Liverpool players observe a minute’s silence for the 96 football fans, who died in the Hillsborough tragedy

After being humbled by Arsenal last weekend, the Reds bounced back with a dominant display of attacking football in a 2-0 victory over a struggling Newcastle United side. Raheem Sterling opened the account for the hosts with a stunning strike in the 9th minute and Joe Allen doubled their lead from close range in the 70th minute to earn his side vital 3 points. The win brought Liverpool FC closer to Manchester City and heated up the race for a position in the top 4.

Here’s how the players performed tonight:

Liverpool FC

Simon Mignolet (6.5/10)

The Belgian was brought into action just once when he had to stretch to push away Ayoze Perez’s goal-bound header.

Glen Johnson (6/10)

The English international who is rumoured to be heading for an exit towards the end of the season had a rather poor night. He gave away possession cheaply on several occasions while trying to take defenders on.

Emre Can (6/10)

The makeshift defender was rather clumsy on the night. The usually composed German was caught often in possession. His lung bursting runs into the opponents half were brought to an abrupt end on several occasions due to his heavy touches.

Dejan Lovren (5.5/10)

Coming in as Mamadou Sakho’s replacement, Lovren almost set one up for Moreno with a fantastic long ball. However, he was fortunate to get away with what appeared to be a stonewall penalty when he brought Perez down in the box. He almost gifted Newcastle a goal in the second half, when his weak header fell straight into Perez' path who could only win a corner.

Alberto Moreno (6/10)

The Spaniard stuck to the basics and was vital in a couple of attacks. Overall, he had a rather quiet night.

Joe Allen (7/10)

The midfielder managed to get his first Premier League goal at Anfield when the ball fell kindly in his path after hitting an unaware Mike Williamson. The former Swansea player was crucial in controlling the tempo of the game and did well in distributing the play.

Lucas Leiva (6/10)

The Brazilian did his bit in breaking play by showing awareness by being in the right place at the right time. He could have done more in the attacking third when he found himself in promising positions, but decided to square the ball to his teammates rather than taking a shot.

Jordan Henderson (7.5/10)

The stand-in skipper is growing by the day and is out to prove that he is the worthy heir to the departing captain’s armband. He set up Liverpool’s first goal with a pinpoint 40-yard cross-field pass which was matched by an equally impressive finish by Raheem Sterling.

Jordan Ibe (5/10)

The 19-year-old youngster, who is renowned for his uninhibited playing style, was raring to go at the defenders, but ended up doing a bit too much at times losing possession in good areas. He was subbed off in the 58^th minute.

Philippe Coutinho (8.5/10) – Man of the Match

The little Magician almost conjured a goal out of nothing when he chipped the ball over Jack Colback before changing his direction to go outside towards the byline before lashing one across the face of the goal; unfortunately no one took a gamble. His trickery was again on display when he first beat 3 players and somehow squeezed in a backheel pass which brought the crowd to their feet.

Raheem Sterling (89’) (7/10)

The 20-year-old had plenty to prove after being under the microscope because of the off-field events and boy, did he prove himself! He opened the scoring for Liverpool after neatly controlling a 40-yard cross, cutting the ball inside before slotting the ball towards the far post for a goal. However, he could have easily netted a couple more after failing to trouble Tim Krul from barely 6 yards out – twice!

Substitutes:

Rickie Lambert (88’) (NA)

He was brought in towards the very end and did not get a chance to do much.

Fabio Borini (58’) (5/10)

The Italian was brought in to replace Jordan Ibe, but failed to make much impact on the game.

Newcastle United FC

Moussa Sissoko walks off after receiving his marching orders

Tim Krul (5.5/10)

The custodian could not have done much to save either of the goals. The first one was well taken and out of his reach. The second from Allen was a close-range shot and before Krul could react, the ball was in the back of the net.

Ryan Taylor (5.5/10)

The boyhood Liverpool FC fan was saved from embarrassment when his miscued effort to clear a cross fell straight into Sterling's feet, who, surprisingly, could not find the net from just outside the 6-yard box.

Daryl Janmaat (6/10)

The Dutch center back was vital in developing the attacks from the back. Solid in defence, he managed to put in a couple of vital blocks averting any threat from a lively looking Sterling.

Mike Williamson (5/10)

The experienced defender had a disappointing game with young Ibe running at him time and again. His momentary lapse of concentration was capitalised by Borini, who won Liverpool a corner. The resulting corner was deflected away from goal rather unconvincingly. The ensuing cross hit Williamson and fell into Allen's path who punished the mistake with a goal.

Jack Colback (5/10)

He was humiliated, time and again, by Sterling and Coutinho’s trickery. He failed to make any noticeable contribution.

Vurnon Anita (4.5/10)

The Dutch international was almost non-existent throughout the game. He was left chasing shadows for the majority of the game.

Mehdi Abeid (5.5/10)

The Algerian was handed with two opportunities to pull one back for the visitors. The first was hit straight into a relieved Mignolet’s arms and the second was shot well over the bar.

Moussa Sissoko (4.5/10)

The Frenchman was given marching orders after being booked twice within a span of five minutes - the first, after a spat over a throw-in with Glen Johnson and the second, for a malicious looking challenge on Lucas Leiva, which could have been a straight red card, as well.

Remy Cabella (5.5/10)

He found himself in promising positions on a couple of occasions, but failed to make any meaningful impact on a rather frustrating night for the visitors.

Gabriel Obertan (67’) (5/10)

He was partially responsible for Liverpool’s first goal. Had he closed down Sterling a bit early, the youngster would have found it difficult to find any space to take a shot. Even while attacking, he was indecisive with the ball.

Ayoze Perez (86’) (6.5/10)

The Spaniard, whose goal gave Newcastle a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture, was hoping to do something similar this time. He almost succeeded just at the stroke of half-time. His goal-bound header had to be saved by an outstretched Simon Mignolet. The forward tried to do as much as he could, but was left isolated up front on most of the occasions.

Substitutes:

Jonas Gutierrez (67’) (4/10)

The Argentine, who beat testicular cancer, was given a warm reception by both sets of fans, but could not penetrate the home side’s defence.

Adam Armstong (75’) (4/10)

The 18-year old did not see much of the ball and failed to make any contribution.

Yoan Gouffran (86’)

He was brought in towards the very end and did not get a chance to do much.