Liverpool 2-0 Leeds United - Player Ratings
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.
