Carabao Cup 2017/18: Leicester City 2-0 Liverpool, player ratings

Liverpool

Coutinho was a livewire in the first half

Danny Ward - 6/10

Was rarely called into action in the first half but made a couple of good catches and clearances when called upon. He could have done nothing about the two goals Liverpool conceded but made a brilliant save to deny Gray and Leicester their third.

Jon Flanagan - 4/10

Flanagan showed why he is the fourth choice right-back as he struggled to cope with the pace and trickery of Gray throughout the game and looked completely out of sorts. He also offered nothing going forward.

Joe Gomez - 5/10

Gomez had a decent first half where he helped recover the ball whenever Leicester won the first header from a long ball but he was at fault for Leicester’s opening goal. The entire team pushed up after a free kick was cleared but Gomez languished behind and played several Leicester players onside.

Ragnar Klavan - 4/10

Klavan had another game where he showed why he shouldn’t be starting for Liverpool. The Estonian had his good moments in the first half but constantly lost headers against Leicester’s strikers and then easily let go of Slimani from the throw in that led to the second goal.

Andrew Robertson - 6/10

Was one of the best players on the pitch in the first half and gave Leicester a real headache with his brilliant crosses. Liverpool could have scored at least twice from his crosses alone in the first half. He couldn’t influence the game as much in the second half.

Jordan Henderson - 5/10

Henderson passed the ball around, pressed and made a few good recoveries but in a game like this, more was expected from the captain. There wasn't enough drive from him to try and create chances. Underwhelming performance.

Marko Grujic - 5/10

Grujic played a more advanced midfield role in the game and won some headers up front which helped create spaces in the first half. However, he made some awful tackles and was a shown a yellow for one such tackle.

Georginio Wijnaldum - 6/10

Wijnaldum was surprisingly effective in an away game and it might be due to the rest he received in the previous game. The Dutchman shielded the ball well and kept finding space in tight areas. He was taken off for Danny Ings in the 73rd minute.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5/10

Chamberlain made some direct runs, played some neat one-touch passes and pressed well at times but he still seems to be struggling in his new surroundings. He lost the ball with some awful passes and let the team down with poor crosses when there were players in the box. He still needs time to get up to speed.

Philippe Coutinho - 7/10

Coutinho was a live wire and was showing more signs of getting back to his best. His quick turning, dribbling and passing were a treat to watch. He was taken off for Ben Woodburn in the second half, probably keeping the next game in mind.

Dominic Solanke - 5/10

Solanke found himself in goalscoring positions on numerous occasions but failed to get a telling touch. He linked up play with the likes of Coutinho, Grujic and Chamberlain but he too didn’t do enough.

Substitutes

Ben Woodburn - 6/10

Woodburn was one of Liverpool’s best players in the second half but couldn’t replicate the impact Coutinho made. The Welshman displayed his ball control, dribbling and agility, and came close to scoring with a well-taken effort.

Danny Ings - 6/10

Ings made a long-awaited return to the first team after a series of injuries. He found himself at the end of a deflected free kick and almost managed to flick it goalwards.