Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
(player ratting)
Premier League (19), Anfield
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Alisson Becker – 8 (out of 10)
Made a brilliant save on his line against Badiashile and was really comfortable in the air after the visitors were threatened with set pieces for the first time.
Fast off his line, did what he had to do.
James Milner—6
The crossing was questionable to say the least, but he did well defensively in the few one-on-ones he had in the first half.
Ibrahima Konate – 8
In the first half, he especially took care of Havertz well and played well from the back.
Still capable of making important and necessary interceptions and a strong all-around performance.
Joe Gomez – 8 – Man of the Match
A little loose and sloppy on the ball early on like some of his team-mates and made unnecessary fouls which put the Reds under pressure.
But he also bounced back quickly, was solid in the air and quickly got out of the defense in the second half and really kept the pressure on Chelsea.
Defended well twice in the box against Gallagher and had a Matip-style adventure before Ziyech’s shot was decisively blocked. Now he needs consistency.
Andy Robertson- 8
The only real valve of the first half with its waves runs down the side. This was good, as he played with speed and made some good changes in the open space, but also bad, as his last pass was either missed or misdirected every time, although he almost managed to score.
Great fight with Ziyech throughout the match and decisive block in the final on Chukwuemeka.
Stefan Baicetic – 8
He absolutely deserved to stay in the squad and performed well from the base of midfield. He won some tackles but was particularly quick to get into good positions when the Reds lost possession and was smart with the ball himself.
A couple of body moves got the opposition out of the way in style and he was also useful in the air in both halves.
Naby Keita – 7
An early start to the season in the league and played quite well – not too dramatic on the ball and sloppy with too many passes, but diligent with his positional play, working hard in the channels and having a moment or two where he forces the attack.
Thiago Alcantara – 8
At the same time the best midfielder on the pitch and the most risky. Some excellent changes of direction in play and still our main lead in the centre, but too many dangerous balls were played and intercepted.
A very dynamic performance and it was good to see the real pressure build as the midfield functioned better off the ball, with Thiago a key figure.
Mohammed Salah – 6
He was very quiet most of the first half because we didn’t really involve him, but then we had two big chances: an aerial shot and a curling iron for miles.
He was more involved in our game in the second half and had a few more openings, but he was anything but vintage Mo; why can’t he beat a man anymore?!
Cody Gakpo-6
Quiet at first, but he became much more involved after he started wandering into deeper areas. Biggest threat on target, but not constant or clinical: erratic overrun.
Harvey Elliott-6
I went into midfield in the last half hour and team play suffered a lot.
Substitutes
Darwin Nunez (in place of Keita, 61′) – 7
Brings energy and some opportunities, but no finesse.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (in place of Milner, 71′) – 6
A good opportunity slips over the bar.
Jordan Henderson (come on for Elliott, 81′) – N/A – A good run-up down the right, but didn’t produce the best ball.
Curtis Jones (on for Gakpo, 81′) – N/A
A pair of driving points scored for an infringement after a foul against him was not awarded on the edge of the penalty area.
Fabinho (up for Bajcetic, 81′) – N/A – We almost lost the game with a bad pass outside the area.
Subs not used: Kelleher, Matip, Tsimikas, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Jurgen Klopp – 7
His 1,000th game as manager and probably in his top 10 most frustrating games.
It was too late for the boss to exclude players who had underperformed and this time he did: Hendo, Matip, Trent and Fabinho among those who failed to return to the XI.
As for the substitutions, they probably came at the right time, even if leaving Elliott in the center didn’t work. In general he made the right decisions, but he lacked the quality to score points.