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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 01: Daniel Agger of Liverpool is congratulated by his team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on December 1, 2012 in Liverpool, England.
Liverpool recorded back to back wins on their home turf when they saw off the challenge of Southampton, winning 1-0. Nigel Adkins’ men should consider themselves lucky that Liverpool did not make another big dent in their goal difference in the league which now stands at a dismal -11.
We bring you the Player Ratings of the two sides who took to the pitch at Anfield.
Pepe Reina – 7/10
Was rarely tested by the Saints frontline who registered only one shot on target all match. Did well to keep out Rickie Lambert’s 40 yard effort when he was caught in an awkward position. His distribution was top notch as usual.
Glen Johnson – 8/10
His marauding run on the right was always a threat to Southampton. Gave a torrid time to 17-year old Shaw – who was playing at left back for the Saints. Provided a perfectly weighted assist for Agger’s goal with is weaker left foot.
Daniel Agger – 9/10
Did not put a foot wrong all match. Made some crucial blocks and kept Rickie Lambert under wraps over the course of the match. Scored a fantastic header which proved to be the difference between the two sides. A Man of the Match performance from the Denmark skipper.
Martin Skrtel – 7.5/10
A decent performance from the Slovak international. Made some timely interceptions and ensured that Liverpool managed to keep a clean sheet – their fifth in the league so far.
Jose Enrique – 8.5/10
Back in his favoured position at left back, the Spaniard continued his impressive form he has been showing the past few gameweeks. Kept the visitors in check and combined well with Sterling and Suarez in attack. Manufactured an exquisite long ball to Suarez in the first half. Came close to scoring one himself on a couple of occasions.
Steven Gerrard – 7/10
An up and down performance from the Liverpool skipper. Misplaced quite a few passes (a pass completion rate of 78% – poor by his lofty standards). On the 19th minute, met Johnson’s cutback with a ferocious drive which was blocked at the near post by Shaw.
Lucas Leiva – 8/10
Liverpool fans will be relieved to see the Brazilian back in action after a few weeks on the sidelines. Received a standing ovation when he was substituted at the fag end of the match. Bossed the midfield with some crunching tackles and headed duels.
Joe Allen – 7.5/10
Assigned a more attacking role by Brendan Rodger’s after the reinstatement of Lucas to the holding midfield role. Played a confident passing game and was replaced by Jordan Henderson for the last 20 minutes.
Jonjo Shelvey – 6.5/10
Assigned a role in the front three of the Liverpool attack, his attacking prowess was on display in the first half of the match. His blistering effort from the edge of the Southampton box rattled the crossbar in the 35th minute. Drifted out of the match in the second half.
Raheem Sterling – 7/10
The 17-year old came up with a decent display in this match. Frequently swapped flanks with Shelvey. Combined well with Johnson and Enrique. Had a poor pass completion rate of 65% . There were quite a few occasion when he was presented with a shooting opportunity but chose to pass the ball to a teammate.
Luis Suarez – 8/10
Though he did not add to his goalscoring tally in the league, the Uruguayan made a constant nuisance of himself to the Saints centre-back pairing. Unlucky to hit the bar from a freekick in a promising position. Deserved a goal for his efforts all evening. Picked up a yellow card for a blatant handball inside the Southampton box, he will miss the trip to West Ham the upcoming gameweek.
Substitutes:
Jordan Henderson – 6.5/10
Came on as a replacement for Joe Allen and was a willing runner. Was caught flatfooted by Sterling’s pass inside the box when Liverpool looked to hit Southampton on a break.
Jamie Carragher – N/A
Came on for the last couple of minutes as Liverpool looked to hold on to their lead in the dying stages of the match. Picked up an unnecessary yellow card.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 01: Gaston Ramierez of Southampton lies injured during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on December 1, 2012 in Liverpool, England.
Paulo Gazzaniga – 6/10
Had a busy day at the office as he had to make quite a number of decent saves to keep the Saints in the hunt. Could not do much about Agger’s well placed header. Booed by the crowd and warned by the referee for time wasting in the first half.
Nathaniel Clyne – 5.5/10
It was never going to be easy for the 19-year old full back with Shelvey and the tricky Sterling swapping flanks. Was beaten on quite a few occasions.
Maya Yoshida – 5/10
Struggled to keep tabs on the nifty Suarez. Was turned inside out on a few occasions. Made some decent clearances and kept Liverpool restricted to a single goal.
Jose Fonte – 5.5/10
Put in a somewhat better performance than his centre-back partner. Managed some interceptions and cleared the dangerous rebounds from his box before a Liverpool player could get to them.
Luke Shaw – 4/10
Arguably the weakest link in the Saints defence, he was beaten repeatedly by Johnson and Sterling. The most dangerous crosses were floated from his area of the pitch and it was from one such cross that Liverpool got their match winner.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 5/10
A largely anonymous performance from the midfielder. Could not prevent Gerrard and Allen from swamping him over in the middle of the park.
Jack Cork – 4.5/10
Despite boasting a healthy pass completion rate of 88%, most of his passes were ineffectual – either sideways or backwards. His forward punts to Lallana and Lambert were hardly up to the mark and was substituted with 20 minutes to go.
Gaston Ramirez – 5/10
He was a supposed Liverpool target in the summer transfer window. Eventually transferred to Southampton for a club record £12 million – he certainly failed to live up to the price tag in this match. Failed to hit the target even once and was certainly a disappointment.
Jason Puncheon – 6/10
One of the few brighter lights for Southampton in the first half. Had a poor second half and was rightly hauled off in the 78th minute.
Adam Lallana – 7/10
The Southampton playmaker was continuously hustled and harried off the ball by Lucas and failed to make a substantial impact on the proceedings. He strung together some decent passes and was Southampton’s best player on the pitch.
Rickie Lambert – 6.5/10
Started as the lone attacker for Southampton. Had the best chance of putting his side of the scoresheet when he sighted Reina off his line but his 40 yard strike was palmed away for a corner. Faded as the match progressed because of lack of service from his midfield.
Substitutes:
Steven Davis – 4.5/10
Came on in the 70th minute but failed to make an impact for the Saints.
Jay Rodriguez – Unclassified
Showed promise in his last few minutes on the pitch but it was always going to be too little too late.
Daniel Agger
