Southampton 4 – 4 Liverpool – PL Player Ratings
Caoimhin Kelleher – 5.0
Given a surprise start. Had little chance for Saints first goal, though may have done better for the second. Was strangely subdued for the third goal, though may have been unsighted. Had moments, yet showed the huge gulf between Ali and himself.
Kostas Tsimikas – 4.0
A poor first half, that often had him scrambling to find a smart defensive position. Offered very little and was the first player withdrawn, in what could be his last game as a red.
Subbed – 56 mins
Joe Gomez – 5.0
A neat and tidy first half on the ball, yet looked so exposed whenever the home side broke through. Could have been more dominate and assured for both opening goals, with his second-string defensive line looking frail. Was too much about retreat for the third goal. Was fine on the ball through a strange second half.
Joël Matip – 5.0
Was unsure in his positioning and drifted too far inside at times. Improved as the game went on, with this new positional play taking a moment to really bed in.
Trent Alexander Arnold – 7.0
Was instrumental in the second goal, with a driving through ball to create the opening for Bobby’s goal. Was caught out of position. As he seemed too keen to move into midfield. Was   A key player in dragging the reds back into this game, with some dangerous balls into the box and a lovely volleyed assist for Cody’s goal.
Curtis Jones – 4.0
A slow and uneventful first half ensued, with too many high positions perhaps leaving Kostas overexposed. Quiet.
Subbed – 56 mins
Fabinho – 5.0
A nice assist for the second goal, yet seemed overrun at times in an entertaining first half. Left the pitch after the third goal, which perfectly highlighted his inability to stay with surging counter attacks.
Subbed 56 mins
James Milner – 5.0
A game that passed him by in the first half, with energy and pace in that heat making it hard for him to cover the required ground. Saw out the game, but was mostly a passenger in the second half.
Roberto Firmino – 6.0
Scored a wonderful second goal for his team, with some beautiful touches allowing him to leave to opposing defenders on the floor. Lost the ball on the half way line, which led to the second goal. Many things didn’t work, but he at least gave us a great moment.
Subbed – 56 mins
Diogo Jota – 7.0
The penalty box poacher was able to pounce upon some horrible defensive play to tap into an empty net. Went missing for the next stretch of the game, before thundering his Edmond goal into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Mohamed Salah – 6.0
Had a very quiet opening period, as the goals came thick and fast in the first half. His first real good moment came to create the reds fourth goal, as he revelled in the final twenty minutes of attacking play.
Subs;
Luis Diaz – 5.0 (on 56)
Could do very little.
Jordan Henderson – 4.0 (on 56)
A terrible introduction led to the Saints fourth goal, which led to him making a few good passes.
Harvey Elliott – 5.0 (on 56)
Did little as the game just fluttered on by, with the reds adamant to make as many mistakes as possible.
Cody Gakpo – 6.0 (on 56)
Came on, did very little, then scored a lovely goal at the back post.
The Manager;
Jürgen Klopp – 6.0
Our German manager made a raft of changes for this game, which meant nothing to the finishing place of either side. Saints are 20th and Championship bound, whereas the reds are marooned in 5th position, as a Europa League season awaits them.
This was a half which highlighted so much of the uncertainty in Klopp’s team, with Saints able to waltz through on two occasions to claw back a 0-2 deficit. The raft of changes was in some way a loyalty decision, so you could almost understand the increased lack of defensive awareness in our side.
The subs did and didn’t make sense, in leaving James Milner on the pitch. The captain was a liability once again, whilst being ushered in to somehow offer a shield to the back four.
The final twenty minutes saw an entertaining match evolve, yet it was part of a season that really needed to end.
The weirdest season ever
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) May 28, 2023
Pre-match Prediction;
Southampton 2 – 3 Liverpool
Steven Smith
You say tsimikas is already gone as a red but failed to give the jury on gomez as well…together with his defensive partner matip,are a complete joke