On a night when Leeds United and Garry Monk did their growing reputation no harm, Liverpool booked a spot in the semi-final with a 2-0 win. Divock Origi opened the scoring, poking in a stunning cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the story of the night is undoubtedly Ben Woodburn becoming the club’s youngest ever goalscorer, in only his second senior appearance.
Here’s how the Reds fared in a potential banana-skin at Anfield.
Simon Mignolet – 6
He made a very good save in the third minute, as he stood tall in a one-on-one situation. He did flap at a corner in the first-half, but apart from that, when he was called on, he was on hand to prevent any damage.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9
It is hard to believe that this boy is 18 and was making only his second first-team start. He bossed the right flank all day. He kept asking questions of Charlie Taylor, and the Leeds left-back did stand up to the challenge. But when the decisive moment did arrive, it was Alexander-Arnold with a delightful cross, who set up Origi’s opener. Man of the Match.
Lucas Leiva – 7
He is making progress. Tonight, it took him around 80 minutes to make his first silly tackle of the game. Overall, he was comfortable. He even made a foray forward, where he got further forward than he generally gets, even from midfield.
Ragnar Klavan – 6
The Leeds front players tried their best to trouble Klavan with their speed, both of foot and thought, but the wily Estonian was up for it. He had a couple of nervy moments against Kemar Roofe, but luckily for us, he came through unscathed.
Alberto Moreno – 5
This is the Moreno that Liverpool fans dread seeing. There were far too many occasions when his decision-making was awful. He took shots when others were in better positions and didn’t see some routine passes. James Milner remains far ahead of him in the left-back pecking order.
Kevin Stewart – 5
After the eye-catching display against Spurs in the previous round, Stewart was subdued on this occasion. He gave the ball away cheaply leading to Roofe’s stunning strike against the post.
Gini Wijnaldum – 6
He kept our play ticking. He had both our best chances before the goal arrived. He forced Silvestri into a smart save in the first-half and hit the post in the second. He also got the assist for Woodburn’s goal.
Emre Can – 6
Not the greatest day for Can. He seemed sluggish. His speed of thought and decision-making were off. He was wasteful.
Ovie Ejaria – 7
Another neat performance from the youngster. But he needs to be careful. He lost the ball a few times trying to do things out of the ordinary, that were completely avoidable in those situations.
Sadio Mane – 6
He put Wijnaldum through on goal to hit the post, combined well with Origi to set up the second goal, but overall, it was a subdued display from Mane. With Philippe Coutinho injured, the Senegalese international has got to step up.
Divock Origi – 8
He was having a tough night against the Leeds defenders, but sparked into life by slotting home a beautiful cross from Alexander-Arnold. He played a critical role in creating the second goal too.
Substitutes
Ben Woodburn – 8
What a moment for him to become the club’s youngest ever goalscorer. The future is bright.
James Milner – N/A
It was nice for him to come on and play against his boyhood club.
Marko Grujic – N/A
On a night when the other baby Reds stepped up and impressed, Grujic would have been hoping to play a few more minutes than the three second-half stoppage time minutes that he did.
I don’t really get your ratings. Both Emre and Gini are 6, but one was good and the other one poor…?
What am I missing here? Gini Wijnaldum bangs a shot off the woodwork and then sets The Kid up for his first goal by doing everything but taking the shot for Woodburn, and the reaction throughout the media seems to be a yawn and shrug.