It was yet another frustrating goalless draw between The Reds and The Hammers. With this goalless match, the teams have ensured a replay of this fixture to determine who moves ahead in the FA Cup.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp played a relatively young team with the likes of Teixeira, Smith, Brannagan and Stewart who never started a Premier League match. The youngsters were very impressive but the absence of a full-fledged striker was felt as they all struggled to net one in with West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph doing a great job to stop them.
Randolph was West Ham’s best player and attacking wise, West Ham relied upon Victor Moses who wasn’t fit enough. It came as a surprise when West Ham made to substitutions in the first half itself.
Here are the player ratings for the match.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 6/10 Mignolet was back to being his old self. He spread nerves throughout - and so unnecessarily too. Also barely made any successful pass.
Nathaniel Clyne – 6/10Clyne had a poor game. Looked rusty, and being the “senior” player, he needed to step up. He could not cross and had was very average.
Steven Caulker -7/10It was a big performance from Steven Caulker. Bossed the defence. He had his full-debut for Liverpool and showed why he’s a good addition. He has a lot of composure, something the team lacks in their defence an worked very well with Dejan Lovren.
Dejan Lovren – 7/10It was the first time seeing the Lovren/Caulker defence and it was more comforting than a Toure/Sakho pairing. They looked quite promising at the back. Lovren however, was individually decent.
Brad Smith – 6.5/10Smith had a few sloppy passes but looked solid. He got up and down the wing very well.
Kevin Stewart – 7.5/10Stewart looked good. Composed, solid passing and decent positional sense. Didn’t look the least bit intimidated. Never looked out of place with even the best players.
Joe Allen – 7/10Allen was the captain for the match and played really well. He also tried a much spoken about bicycle kick!
Cameron Brannagan – 8.5/10Brannagan was Liverpool’s best player. His deliveries were world class. He showed confidence and he’s definitely one for the future. Can easily start over Milner with the way he played.
Jordon Ibe – 5/10Ibe had a very poor game. Admittedly, very frustrating to watch. He needs to get better at decision making. He is very low on form and he can run with the ball but doesn't know when to release and his execution is poor.
João Carlos Teixeira – 7.5/10Teixeira did really well with the crosses. A definite talent. Just got to see more of him.
Christian Benteke – 5.5/10Benteke didn’t have enough pace to reach deliveries. There was no movement at all. So poor. He had poor involvement in the attaching build up. Seemed to slow the pace down too.
Subs:
Sheyi Ojo: N/A Ojo came on for Ibe in the 80th minute. Showed some spark but didn’t have much time for any impact. Jerome Sinclair – N/ASinclair came on for Brannagan in the 86th minute. Showed pace.
Jose Enrique- N/AEnrique came in place of Texeira in the 90th minute.
West Ham United
Darren Randolph – 8/10Randolph made a great save to stop a shot by Brannagan in the first half. Have to say Randolph has impressed since his flappy start and was pivotal at times. One of the best players for West Ham today, hence the man of the match.
James Tomkins – 5/10Subbed in the 35th minute for having needed 12 stitches for a clash with Joe Allen.
Winston Reid (c) – 8/10Reid had a very good match. He showed great leadership and was really strong in the midfield. He was fouled for a challenge on Texeira. Reid also kept getting dragged.
Angelo Ogbonna – 7/10Angelo Ogbonna had his own unique way of dealing with Christian Benteke. He kept getting dragged and defended well.
Aaron Cresswell – 6/10Scouser, ironically. Made a great cross to Valencia who headed it backwards at some point. He did everything he was expected to.
Pedro Obiang – 6/10Obiang dropped deeper as Liverpool started pressing more. Also did some really good passing.
Alexandre Song – 7/10Song had dominated throughout well but he just had to create more chances.
Cheikhou Kouyate – 6/10Kouyate was subbed in the 35th minute for Jelavic.
Victor Moses – 6/10Moses was back against his former club at Anfield and did a decent job. He was subbed in the 70th minute for Antonio. Constantly kept being clattered by Lovren.
Dimitri Payet - 6/10 Payet had an average game, rather quite poor. Kept fencing around. What would have been good is if Payet was played where he is supposed to be. Payet was way too deep all game and showed that when he doesn’t play well, nor does the team.
Enner Valencia – 6.5/10 Valencia worked hard and didn’t get a lot of deliveries until later on. He had a big chance at some point but wasted it with a poor header.
Subs:
Joey O’Brien – 7/10 It was Joy O’Brien’s debut for WHU. Not known for his silky skills, O‘Brien turned Stewart and won a free kick in a dangerous position down West Ham's right flank. He put in a lot of effort.
Nikica Jelavic – 6/10 Jelavic was great with his intensity for a while. However not good enough, the match showed why West Ham need a good striker.
Michail Antonio – 6/10 It was a shame that Antonio wasn’t starting but he was the only player to have scored in this fixture this season, so expectations were there this time around too. No doubt he’s become a very important player for West Ham.
