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The tie between Liverpool and Huddersfield Town attracted a lot of attention not only because it was the first-ever meeting between the two clubs in the Premier League, but also because it was a face-off between best friends Jurgen Klopp and David Wagner.
While Huddersfield went into the game on the back of an impressive win over Manchester United, hoping to capitalise on Liverpool’s poor form, it was Liverpool who ran away clear winners with an emphatic 3-0, through goals from Daniel Sturridge(50th minute), Roberto Firmino (58th minute) and Georginio Wijnaldum (75th minute).
Here are the player ratings from the meeting between the Reds and the Terriers:
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 6
The Belgian, who has come under scrutiny yet again owing to his disastrous performance against Tottenham Hotspur, had very little to do as Liverpool dominated possession, and Huddersfield managed just 1 shot in the 90 minutes.
Joe Gomez – 7
Gomez started the game as the side’s right-back despite his impressive performance at the heart of the Liverpool defence in the last game, and was solid yet again. The 20-year-old was tidy in possession, constantly provided support down the right flank, especially with Huddersfield failing to threaten.
However, he was presented with a challenge post the break when Tom Ince was moved out wide and Gomez showed excellent footballing ability to keep the former Liverpool man under wraps.
Joel Matip – 6
With the Reds bossing possession, Matip had very little to do defensively and was often sighted venturing deep into the opposition half with the ball at his feet. He would, however, be disappointed that he failed to find the back of the net via the 2 free headers that he was afforded by the Huddersfield defence.
Ragnar Klavan – 6
An injury to Dejan Lovren in the warm-up led to Klopp being forced to field Ragnar Klavan and things did not exactly begin well for the Estonian as he looked rusty while in possession of the ball and appeared as the weakest link in the Liverpool defence. However, to his credit, Klavan grew with the passage of time and ended the game positively.
Alberto Moreno – 7
It was a rather underwhelming performance by the Spaniard who has regained his place in the hearts of the Liverpool faithful with his performances as the side’s left-back, as he did not find great joy going forward despite being at his industrious best. It was his threatening pass that inadvertently found its way to Daniel Sturridge for Liverpool’s opener.
Jordan Henderson – 7.5
It would be fair to say that Jordan Henderson has struggled to seamlessly function as the side’s number 6 since the beginning of the season.
While the Liverpool captain had a rather typical first half where he kept things tidy but added very little attacking muscle, he was a different man in the 2nd half as he showed better enterprise going forward and linked up well his colleagues in the midfield.
James Milner – 7
The Liverpool vice-captain, who was making only his 4th League start of the season thus far, was solid as ever. He showed some great movement on and off the ball, linked up excellently with his attacking colleagues while also ensuring that he did his fair share of dirty work in the middle of the park.
He was duly rewarded for his efforts when Roberto Firmino scored Liverpool's 2nd goal via Milner’s cross from a corner.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7
The man who has a tendency to go missing in the away games yet again came alive in a home tie. The Dutchman was industrious as ever, showed excellent movement on and off the ball and provided the required thrust to the Liverpool attack from the midfield.
Wijnaldum capped up a solid performance with a brilliantly worked goal in the 75th minute after some brilliant play between himself Mohamad Salah and Milner.
Mohamed Salah – 6
While the Egyptian was yet again the most enterprising Liverpool player on the pitch, he should have put away the penalty that came his way in the 41st minute when Firmino was brought down in the box.
Although it was a very poor penalty kick by his standards, Salah did not let his failure to hit the back of the net trouble his performance and continued to be a threat throughout the 2nd half and was instrumental in his side’s 3rd goal.
Roberto Firmino – 7
With Philipe Coutinho injured, Roberto Firmino was entrusted with the task of playing on the left-hand side of the Liverpool attack. While he did struggle to find his feet in the opening stages of the game, the Brazilian did come alive in the 2nd half and was a constant threat to the Huddersfield defence as he constantly probed them.
He scored his 6th goal of the season when he headed home from Milner’s cross in the 58th minute and will be happy to score his first goal in the Premier League since 27th August.
Daniel Sturridge – 7
It is no secret that Daniel Sturridge has slipped down the pecking order at Liverpool. So to see him being handed a start was surprisingly refreshing.
The Englishman, who was chasing his 100th senior goal of his career at the start of the game, was lucky when Moreno’s cross found its way to him and the Englishman was more than happy to lob it over the opposition keeper to mark a remarkable day in his career.
Substitutes:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7
The Englishman was full of energy during the 25 odd minutes that he spent on the pitch and showed the creativity that is expected of him.
Emre Can – NA
Can was brought in for Daniel Sturridge with Liverpool up by 2 goals and was diligent as ever in the centre of the park, but did not enough time to make an impact.
Dominic Solanke – NA
Solanke came on as an 81st-minute substitute for Mohamad Salah and saw off the dying minutes of the game well.
Huddersfield Town
Jonas Lossl – 7
The Danish goalkeeper helped his side keep Liverpool at bay as he saved Mohamad Salah’s penalty in the 42nd minute to go into the break on level terms.
However, with Liverpool largely dominating possession, they were expected to create regular chances in the 2nd period and there was very little that the Dane could have done to prevent the Liverpool goals from going in.
Tommy Smith – 4
It was an evening to forget for the English right-back as first he gifted Liverpool a penalty for bringing down Firmino, and subsequently had his efforts to clear a threatening yet manageable cross from Moreno found its way to Sturridge and thereafter, the result of the game was never in doubt.
He failed to contain the Liverpool attack and could add very little to his side’s attacking endeavours as they spent large durations of the game in their own half.
Mathias Zanka – 7
With his side largely restricted to their own half, it does not come as a surprise that Zanka was responsible for the highest number of clearances on the evening as he helped his side repel several threatening Liverpool attacks.
However, he looked out of his depths in the 2nd half and could not handle the Liverpool attack’s quality as his side finally buckled under the pressure of the home team.
Christopher Schindler – 7
Like his partner Zanka, who spent a considerable time cleaning up the mess created by his teammates, Schindler too had to make several vital clearances to keep the Liverpool attack at bay and did that well during the first half. However, like Huddersfield, he too fell apart in the 2nd half and was reduced to being a spectator as the Reds ran away with the game.
Chris Lowe – 5
With Lowe lining up against Salah, who has been Liverpool’s most enterprising player thus far, it was always going to be a tough evening for the German left-back. While he did well to keep Salah under the wraps in the first half, the difference in quality was evident in the 2nd half as Lowe failed to impress.
Jonathan Hogg – 7.5
If there is one Huddersfield player who deserves praise for his showing against Liverpool, it has to be Jonathan Hogg. The former Watford and Aston Villa central midfielder was industrious yet effective in the centre of the park and played a vital role in his side keeping the scoreline rather respectable.
He constantly broke up the Reds’ rhythm with a mix of tackles as well as interceptions and was always willing to put his body on the line for his side’s cause.
Aaron Mooy – 5
Coming on the back of an impressive performance against Manchester United, a lot was expected of the Australian who has already become a fan favourite amongst the Huddersfield faithful.
While he was excellent on and off the ball with his movement, he received very little or no support for large durations of the evening and had to be content with helping his side’s defensive endeavours.
Rajiv van La Parra – NA
Van La Parra had to be substituted in the 34th minute due to injury and couldn't contribute in any way thereafter.
Danny Williams – 4
The US international, who was on the pitch for 69 minutes, failed to make any impact on the game. He completed just 4 passes, won 1 tackle and 2 interceptions whilst on the pitch and was a mere spectator as his side endured a tough away game.
Tom Ince – 5
The former Liverpool man returned to Anfield hoping to impress his former employers as well as the Huddersfield supporters alike. However, it was not to be as he was handled very well by Moreno and failed to receive any support from his colleagues and spent a considerable time in his own half trying to contain Liverpool attack.
Laurent Depoitre – 6
While the Belgian cut a sorry figure in attack, he was industrious as ever and contributed excellently to his side’s defensive endeavours. He was dominant in the air, often coming out on top of Ragnar Klavan and also made some crucial blocks and interceptions to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm.
Substitutes:
Elias Kachunga – 5
Kachunga, who replaced the injured Van La Parra in the 35th minute had to be content with helping his defensive colleagues for large durations of the game and failed to trouble the often susceptible Liverpool backline.
Florent Hadergjonaj – NA
Brought in to replace an erroneous Tommy Smith in the 69th minute, Hadergjonaj could not help his side break the shackles.
Steve Mounie – NA
Mounie arrived when Huddersfield were already 2 goals down and did not receive the requisite support from his attacking colleagues.
