Dejan Lovren gets a 7 and Roberto Firmino just 4 in Liverpool player ratings v Man City

Alex Broun 21:58 07/10/2018
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  • Dejan Lovren was amongst Liverpool's best against City

    Premier League title challengers Liverpool and Manchester City battled to a dour 0-0 draw at Anfield.

    The only moment of note was the late City penalty, given away by Virgil van Dijk for a foul on Leroy Sane, which was blazed over the bar by Riyad Mahrez.

    Here are our ratings for the Reds:

    LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

    Alisson – Very quiet game and only called on to make one save of note, late in the second half. Accurate distribution of 80 per cent. 6

    Joe Gomez – Shocking mistake to almost gift Aguero a goal. Dealt reasonably well with Raheem Sterling but Benjamin Mendy caused him issues. Got down the right in the second half, without being able to deliver the telling cross. 6

    Dejan Lovren – Very fortunate not to give up a penalty on Aguero in first half. But produced two superb one-on one-tackles in second half – one on Mahrez and the other on Jesus. 7

    Virgil van Dijk – Called on to make some big defensive plays in first half. Strong in the air but gave away the penalty with a clumsy lunge on Sane. Luckily for him, Mahrez missed. 6

    Andrew Robertson – Got down the left well without delivering that telling ball. A good battle with Mahrez that finished even. 6

    Gini Wijnaldum – Some sharp touches early on, but space was limited by City’s speedy centre midfield. Faded as the game went on. 5

    Jordan Henderson – Solid in defence but unable to spark the Liverpool front three. Came into the game more in the second half, but again, could not find the killer pass. 6

    James Milner – Number of poorly directed passes in first half, and seemed a little off the pace, substituted on 29 minutes due to injury with Naby Keita coming on. 5

    Mohamed Salah – Plenty of effort and lots of runs but just did not receive the necessary service in the first 45, when he got some chances in the second half could not use them. 6

    Roberto Firmino – Suffocated out of the game by the smothering City press, tried hard but just could not get into the match, substituted on 72 minutes for Daniel Sturridge. 4

    Sadio Mane – Tried to find some room all game but contained comfortably by the City back four and Fernandinho. Like Salah, well off his magic touch of last season. 5

    Substitutions

    Naby Keita – Recovered from his back spasm midweek and was called on in the first 30 minutes to replace the stricken Milner. Kept busy with 31 touches. 6

    Daniel Sturridge – Thrown on for Firmino. Got a header on target on 78 minutes, but easily saved. 5

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