Full Time: Liverpool 3-0 Maribor
The last time Liverpool faced Maribor, they made a new Champions League record by scoring the most goals in a single UCL game at home. But this time around, Maribor put in a tough defensive set up. But Liverpool were too good for the Slovenian side as they cruised to a 3-0 victory and continued to top their group.
Goals from Mohamed Salah, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge sealed a 3-0 win for Jurgen Klopp’s men and let’s take a look at how the Reds fared against the Slovenian side at Anfield.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Loris Karius (6)
Had literally nothing to do in the entire game apart from saving a long-range shot in the 69th minute of the game. The German looked focused in goal for the first time since he wore the gloves for the Reds.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (8)
Not only did he help Liverpool get the breakthrough, young Alexander-Arnold also looked strong defensively despite literally playing as a right wing-back for the most part of the game. The teenager dribbled through the Maribor defence almost every time he went forward.
Joel Matip (6)
Once again weak at set pieces, the Cameroon centre-back should have done better with all those corners, especially when he didn’t have much defending to do with Maribor rarely venturing towards the Liverpool goal.
Ragnar Klavan (6)
The Estonian was playing kick-about with his partner Matip at the back for the entire first-half of the game and even got some time to show his newly discovered skills on the ball. The Maribor attack did not bother him much.
Alberto Moreno (7)
One of the best players of the night alongside Alexander-Arnold, the Spanish left-back was a constant threat on the left-hand side. Moreno also showed made some sweet touches as he literally conjured the ball to his feet from the sky.
Emre Can (7)
Had a miserable first-half, but found his feet in the second-half. The German scored the second goal of the game with a beautiful one-two with James Milner. His goal helped the Reds from wasting extra energy, thanks to the 2-goal cushion.
James Milner (7)
In his second start against Maribor, Milner once again produced a good performance for the Reds, proving once again how useful he can be in the midfield. Put in decent crosses from the corners and set up Can’s goal.
Georginio Wijnaldum (5)
Had to leave the pitch very early in the game, having hurt his ankle. Did not have enough time to make an impact.
Mohamed Salah (8)
The Egyptian just can’t stop scoring at the moment. Could have had more but was just not accurate enough.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (7)
Encouraging signs from the young Englishman as he got heavily involved in the attack in the first-half. But he fell a bit short in the second. Chamberlain is beginning to find his feet at Liverpool.
Roberto Firmino (7)
The Brazilian had a bit of a disappointing first half and also had a header saved by the keeper. But Firmino picked up in the second-half and earned Liverpool a penalty after a deadly piece of skill inside the box.
Subs:
Jordan Henderson for Wijnaldum (6)
The Liverpool captain took the field after Wijnaldum picked up an injury in the 17th minute. Henderson put in his trademark cross-field passes and made plenty of recoveries.
Daniel Sturridge for Salah (7)
The England international finally got his first Champions League goal as a Red and his first since 2010. Despite not starting the game, Sturridge offered precision in front of the goal which Liverpool lacked for most of the game.
Marko Grujic for Firmino – N/A
Had literally nothing to do but prove that he is still a Liverpool FC player.