A spirited performance from the travelling Aston Villa outfit meant Liverpool could hardly get anything more than a point from a gloomy Anfield in Staurday’s late night kickoff. The Claret and Blue took the lead in the mid of the first forty five when Andres Weimann tapped in from close range following a superb build up play involving Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
The visitors doubled their lead when Benteke headed home into an open gaol after Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mingolet spilled in a harmless looking cross from the right flank. The home side got back into the match after Daniel Sturridge scored in first half extra time following a delightful layoff from Jordan Henderson. The Reds were on par with the Villains when Steven Gerrard buried controversial penalty won by Luis Suarez, which seemed to be a blatant dive.
Here are Soccersouls’ very own player ratings for Liverpool from Anfield.
Simon Mignolet: Could do very little for the first goal but was entirely to blame for Villa’s second. Mignolet spilled a harmless cross from the right, amidst confusion with Glen Jonson, into the path of Benteke who nodded home into an empty net.
Rating: 2/5
Glen Johnson: Yet another game which the English international would want to quickly forget. Johnson did try to barge forward at times, which was restricted due to Villa’s relentless pressure. Defensively however he didn’t do his job.
Rating: 2/5
Martin Skrtel: Was quite a better performance from the Slovakian. Won a lot of headers in the air and tried his best to Benteke quiet. Was not to blame for either goals.
Rating: 2.5/5
Kolo Toure: Was very slow on the ball, restricted to his movements thanks to Villa’s attack in between the lines. The Ivorian could be blamed for Villa’s first goal and later didn’t show any signs of improvement.
Rating: 2/5
Aly Cissokho: Was Liverpool’s worst player on the pitch, running around like a headless chicken all over the ninety minutes. Provided nothing as of sorts, Jose Enrique needs to return soon. Sorry, I couldn’t have been more realistic! Out of position all the time.
Rating: 1.5/5
Phillipe Coutinho: One of those games, the Brazilian never got into, Coutinho mispassed a lot of easy forward balls, provided very little attacking width and was rightly substituted at the end of the first half.
Rating: 2/5
Jordan Henderson: The England International provided a wonderful layoff for Liverpool’s opener, albeit Daniel Sturridge’s finish well into the fag end of the first half. Overall, he did his job, but then again he needs to raise his game if Liverpool are to realistically fight for a Champions League place.
Rating: 2.5/5
Steven Gerrard: Played from the deep in the first forty five, later when Lucas was introduced in the second half, had more freedom to go forward. Delightful with his range of passes and sublime balls forward, scored from the penalty to restore parity early in the second half.
Rating: 2.5/5
Daniel Sturridge: Off colour for most of the match, except for Liverpool’s opener in the stoppage time of the first half. Apart from that, he was not involved in the match.
Rating: 2.5/5
Luis Suarez: Credit to the Villains that they kept the Uruguayan quiet up front. Suarez hardly had a chance on goal except his swerving free kick from long range. Did manage to win the penalty, but it looked like a blatant dive as Guzan hardly got a hand on his boots.
Rating: 2.5/5
Raheem Sterling: Did play well at times, did his job throughout, invited tackles and was quick on the ball. Good game for the young lad.
Rating: 3/5
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