Liverpool vs Manchester City - Player ratings

Byshreyash_LFC, SportsCafe Editor

01/01/2017

Gini Wijnaldum’s bullet header in the first half sealed a vital 1-0 victory for the reds over their title rivals Man City. The win means Liverpool remain six points off leader Chelsea after the match as we enter the second half of the season next week. Man of the match: Gini Wijnaldum.

Liverpool

Simon Mignolet 7

Put on a confident show. The Belgian was barely tested during the game. His passing and distribution is improving match by match. Looks like Karius will have a tough time getting his place back.

Nathaniel Clyne 7

The right-back was solid throughout the game. Didn’t allow De Bruyne any space to work in. Was decent as an attacking threat too linking with Mane well.

Dejan Lovren 8

Kept focus throughout the game. The Croatian won all the aerial duels with Aguero and kept the Argentine in check without putting a foot wrong.

Ragnar Klavan 8

The Estonian put on a solid performance. Had to make an important tackle on Aguero early in the first half which saw him getting a yellow. That aside, the 30-year-old was impressive again.

James Milner 8.5

Had a shaky start with Sterling’s pace constantly troubling him. Coped up brilliantly later outbattling the former Liverpool winger. Threw a perfect first-time pass to Firmino which the latter was unable to put into the back of the net.

Jordan Henderson 7.5

Performed brilliantly in the no.6 role again. Held the midfield well not giving Silva and De Bruyne any chance to work in before being forced off injured after the hour mark.

Emre Can 7

Offered plenty of physicality in the midfield and did well to incapacitate City’s midfield. Apart from the yellow card in the second half, the German put on a mature performance.

Gini Wijnaldum 9 (MOTM)

The Netherland international has been massively underrated throughout this season. Scored a thumping header in the first half which gave reds all three important points. Was everywhere in the first half with his smart pressing.

Sadio Mane 6

An underwhelming performance from the man in form. The Senegalese did a fine job marking City’s left-back Kolarov, however, was unable to put any foot in attack.

Roberto Firmino 7

Finally started in his preferred centre-forward role. Led the pressing well winning the ball back many times. Wasn’t influential as expected but his nutmeg against Sterling was a thing of beauty!

Adam Lallana 7.5

Made a sumptuous cross for Wijnaldum for the opener which eventually proved to be the difference.Worked hard and continued his fine form this season with yet another assist.

Substitutes

Divock Origi 7

Came on for the injured Henderson in the 64th minute. Made intelligent runs and held the ball well in the dying minutes of the match.

Lucas Leiva N/A

Introduced at the 89th minute. Might be his last game in the red shirt.

Man City

Claudio Bravo 5.5

Wasn't confident dealing with the crosses, made a few poor clearings. Couldn’t do much for the goal as the defenders were to blame for the header.

P Zabaleta 5

Stood at the back most of the time. Could have done better to prevent Lallana’s cross which eventually proved costly for the Citizens.

J Stones 7

Probably the best City player tonight. The former Everton man was calm with the ball and did his best to build City’s attack from the back.

N Otamendi 5

Looked troubled throughout the game. Made a few poor passes, was never comfortable on the ball. City clearly missed Kompany’s leadership at defense.

A Kolarov 3

The left-back was at fault for the goal as he was too slow to react on Lallana’s cross.

Didn't provide much going forward and was often troubled by Mane’s pace.

Fernandinho 5

The Brazilian was good with the ball but struggled against the Liverpool pressing game. Tried to play a ball to Aguero but was unable to find the accuracy.

Yaya Toure 5

City’s midfield was outdone by Liverpool’s compact midfield. The midfielder struggled against Wijnaldum in the first half and was nowhere as influential as he has been in the recent games.

De Bruyne 5

Was ineffective in the first half. The Belgian who has been City’s talisman this season couldn’t provide any sort of creativity going forward.

Silva 5

The Spaniard was another anonymous City player on the list in the first half. Made a few good passes in the second half in the final third but lacked the cutting edge which he usually possesses.

R Sterling 6.5

Did hard work getting up and down from the right flank. The Englishman was, however, never able to go through Milner and never looked dangerous during the game.

S Aguero 3

The forward returned after the four-match suspension and much was expected from him. However, the Argentine had a game to forget as he was unable to get a single touch in Liverpool’s penalty box and was kept quiet from the Liverpool centre-backs.

Substitutes

Jesus Navas N/A

Came on for Zabaleta in the 86th minute. Was too late to make any difference.

K Iheanacho N/A

Was introduced at the 90th minute. Hardly got any touch on the ball.