Liverpool came out with all three points away from home against a tough Bournemouth side in the Premier League. The Reds were coming off a brilliant 4-3 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League and Jurgen Klopp rang in the changes to ensure his first-team players get a rest.
Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino were probably the two only players who could get in the first-team at Liverpool and they started as well. It was Firmino who got the first goal and Sturridge rose high to head in the second for Liverpool.
Bournemouth came out in the second half full of energy and had a real go against a Liverpool side that made 10 changes to the team that won in midweek and got their reward when Joshua King lashed home from just outside the box to beat Danny Ward.
Try as they might, Bournemouth could not get the leveller as Liverpool held on for a precious three points. We look back at the game and list out the ratings for the young Liverpool side.
Danny Ward – 8/10
The youngster was preferred in goal ahead of Simon Mignolet and he was excellent in keeping Bournemouth out. He couldn’t do much to not concede the goal but it was surely an impressive performance.
Connor Randall – 7/10
Randall was a surprise player in the XI since Flanagan was back in the team but Connor also was impressive down the right side for the Liverpool team.
Kolo Toure – 7/10
Toure was lucky not to give a handball away but he was good barring that one mistake which should have been punished by the referee.
Lucas Leiva – 8/10
Captain for the day and also playing as a centre-back, Lucas struggled early on in the game as Bournemouth exploited his lack of pace but he did do well in the end.
Brad Smith – 7/10
Smith had been impressive in the FA Cup and was good again but he could have given a handball away as well in the second half.
Sheyi Ojo – 7/10
The young player does look impressive for the side and did have some great touches and tricks, though he could not get on the scoresheet.
Kevin Stewart – 7/10
The midfielder does look brilliant and he had another great display for the Reds, certainly one to keep an eye out for.
Joe Allen – 8/10
Joe Allen seems to put in a good shift just when it matters most. In this game, he was battling away in midfield and intercepted the Bournemouth attack multiple times and also helped Liverpool start attacks off.
Jordon Ibe – 9/10
Ibe was the star of the show and provided both the assists but he has been a forgotten man at Liverpool and this could be a reminder of what he can do on his day.
Roberto Firmino – 7/10
Firmino got yet another goal and he showed his positioning sense as he slotted home a save from Boruc.
Daniel Sturridge – 8/10
The England striker was a constant threat for Liverpool and scored once, though many would say he could have scored a hat-trick as he hit the post twice.
Substitutes:
Mamadou Sakho – 7/10
The French defender was brought on to replace Kolo Toure in the second half but didn’t really have a lot to do apart from a goal line clearance.
Divock Origi – 6/10
Origi was another late substitute for Firmino and he and Sturridge did linked up well a couple of times.
Adam Lallana – 5/10
Adam Lallana was brought on for Ibe but didn’t really have much of an impact in the game.