Liverpool returned to the tip of the Premier League table at the weekend, coasting to a routine 3-0 win against Southampton.
Here are the ratings from the match.
Alisson: 6
Produced a decent save from Charlie Austin’s late effort but otherwise untroubled. Hard to find many things to complain about and the fact he’s away from the headlines is only a good thing.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7
Got forward well as usual, with his corner producing the second goal of the day. Positive and composed in possession and diligent in defence. Continues to go from strength to strength.
Joel Matip: 7
A little rusty but understandably so. Did well to rise and tower his head in and will provide further defensive options for Klopp throughout the season.
Virgil van Dijk: 7
Relatively untroubled given how dominant Liverpool were throughout the match. Continues to marshall and lead from the back. Only negative will be a potential injury but coming back to sit on the bench and watch the rest of the game, the rib injury shouldn’t be too serious.
Andy Robertson: 7
Same old from Robbo. A positive performance, showing great energy to bomb down the flank and support the attack. Battled well to stifle the pace of Nathan Redmond.
Jordan Henderson: 7
Did better in the second forty-five, spraying the ball around to keep Liverpool on the front foot. Initial trouble with the new formation, but once the team returned to the usual 4-3-3, Henderson looked assured.
Gini Wijnaldum: 7
Good performance from the Dutchman, giving solid defensive cover when required and getting forward in possession to link with front three.
Xherdan Shaqiri: 8
Great to see him included in the starting eleven having showed plenty of energy against PSG in midweek. Showed his creative eye playing in behind Mane, Salah and Firmino and was desperately unlucky not to score a corker when his long-range free-kick cannoned off the bar.
Sadio Mane: 7
Great pass in the build-up for Liverpool’s opening goal and did well to link up with Salah and Firmino throughout. Displaying his usual energy and verve, Mane will face far tougher tasks in the games ahead.
Mohamed Salah: 7
Great to see Salah back in the goals after turning in Shaqiri’s stunning free-kick. You could see the relief on his face when it nestled in and hopefully, it marks the start of a flurry of goals. Would’ve had a second but for an offside decision.
Roberto Firmino: 7
Pressed well as usual which set the tempo for the first-half. There were some bright moments following one-twos with Mane and Salah. The second half saw him take his foot off the gas a little – nothing he couldn’t afford to do though!
