Player Ratings As Much Changed Liverpool Fight Back In Style

Jurgen Klopp made an array of changes for Liverpool’s midweek trip to Burnley, with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all out of the starting eleven while Divock Origi was rewarded for his last-gasp winner against Everton at the weekend.

Cork’s opening goal for the home side put the Reds on the back foot, from which it looked incredibly hard to fight back and earn three points to keep up pressure on Manchester City. However, a mixture of sheer tenacity and Klopp’s timely substitutions saw a second-half turnaround. Engineered by James Milner’s perfectly placed curling effort, Roberto Firmino’s introduction saw him tap him from close range after Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick. A stunning counter-attacking move saw Xherdan Shaqiri wrap up the three points in a big week for the Reds.

Here are the player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 8

Made some crucial saves once again while showing great awareness and distribution to set off counter-attacks, particularly for Liverpool’s third goal. The Brazilian continues to make a huge impression.

Joe Gomez – 6

Withdrawn from the action early due to a worrying injury. Liverpool will now be left sweating on his fitness after he was stretched off. A huge loss given how strong he’s been at the heart of the defence this season.

Virgil van Dijk – 7.5

Had a golden chance to bag himself a goal but instead sent his header straight at Joe Hart. However, his movement behind the lines was key for Firmino’s goal which enabled Liverpool to take the lead; on the stretch, the Dutchman produced the perfect cutback for the Brazilian to tap home and send the Reds into the ascendency.

Joel Matip – 6

Never looks the most comfortable in possession, however much of that can be attributed to his lack of game time in recent months. Enough evidence to see why he’s near the bottom of the pecking order these days.

Alberto Moreno – 6

Offered little down the left-hand side in terms of an attacking threat. Wayward passes that went straight to the opposition before he was substituted.

Xherdan Shaqiri – 7.5

Did well to add a creative spark to proceedings, moving in between the lines to combine with the front two. Grew into the game in the second half and took his chance brilliantly to round off the perfect counter-attacking move and secure the win.

Jordan Henderson – 6

I definitely fall into the category of not liking a midfield combination of Henderson and Milner, with a lack of intensity and creativity often causing issues in the transition to attack. It wasn’t the captain’s finest performance at Turf Moor as he struggled to make an influence in a deep-lying midfield role. Much better when given the licence so roam forward.

Naby Keita – 8.5

Arguably his best performance to date, adding exactly what Liverpool fans have been waiting for. Offered for the ball well, taking the game to the opposition, adding the drive and directness that has been lacking due to the injury of Oxlade-Chamberlain. Rest assured there is still plenty more to come from the midfielder, but the cogs are slowly turning. Hopefully, we’ll see him on a more consistent basis.

James Milner – 8

Worked tirelessly as always, firing in a great strike for the equaliser that set Liverpool on their way.

Divock Origi – 6

Having scored a crucial goal in the Merseyside Derby at the weekend, this was Origi’s chance to stake a claim for increased involvement in Jurgen Klopp’s side. However, it was an opportunity he failed to grab with both hands despite recording an assist.

Daniel Sturridge – 6

Had a decent effort in the second half that was well dealt with by Hart. The standout part of his performance was his role in the third goal, showing good vision to pick out a pass for Mohamed Salah.