Liverpool player ratings from 5-4 Norwich thriller: Firmino 9/10 & sub 8/10 but defence a shambles

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It was a rollercoaster of emotions for our friends at Empire of the Kop this afternoon as Liverpool snatched a dramatic stoppage-time victory from a 5-4 thriller with Norwich City.

Here are their player ratings from Premier League’s game of the season so far at Carrow Road…

Liverpool player ratings v Norwich – Firmino sublime, defence woeful in manic away day

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GK: Simon Mignolet – 4/10

Definitely at fault for Steven Naismith’s goal, and probably wasn’t commanding enough for their opener either. Never wins us points. Ever. Five-year contract? Not for us.

RB: Nathaniel Clyne – 6/10

Not directly at fault for any of Norwich’s goals, but like the rest of the back-four, Clyne must take blame for our simple inability to defend at the moment. He should start by shoring up the right-hand side.

CB: Kolo Toure – 5/10

Part of the problem at the back when it comes to set-pieces, which is why we conceded four goals.

CB: Mamadou Sakho – 4/10

Didn’t attack the ball for Norwich’s opener, displaying more inability to defend from set-pieces. Then with Liverpool 4-3 up, he failed to deal with a long-ball, which led to Bassong making it 4-4. Not good enough today!

LB: Alberto Moreno – 5/10 (Caulker – 90?)

The defending for Norwich’s third was actually unforgivable. Totally unnecessarily fouled Steven Naismith twice to give away a penalty. Bring back Jon Flanagan.

DMC: Lucas – 6/10

Lost the battle in the first-half, but improved in the second, making tackles and interceptions as Liverpool began to win the fight centrally.

MC: Jordan Henderson – 7/10 (Benteke – 79?)

Scored a crucial goal that got us back into the game at 3-2, using his instep to finish well following a Firmino assist. The captain lacked quality elsewhere though, and if it wasn’t for his game changing goal – he’d be rated lower.

MC: Emre Can – 6/10

Poor today, sadly. The German was outfought in the middle and made poor decisions. He also repeatedly turned backwards infield and slowed down our counter attacks.

AMR: James Milner – 7/10

Missed a one-on-one in the first-half, but made no mistake the second time, getting hold of a poor Norwich back-pass to slot past the keeper. Industrious as ever, Milner covered outrageous ground today – and scored a crucial goal as well.

AML: Jordon Ibe – 7/10 (Lallana – 59?)

Our best creative outlet when he was on the field. Ibe had the beating of Norwich’s fullbacks, but was pulled off after the hour. His replacement won us the game, however.

ST: Roberto Firmino – 9/10

Scored his 4th and 5th Premier League goals today, and picked up an assist too. Bagged his first with his left, his second with a neat chip past Rudd and produced a very clever flick to set up Henderson. Our shining light recently.

Substitutes

Adam Lallana – 8/10 – Assisted Firmino’s second and bagged the last minute winner. Outstanding cameo.

Christian Benteke – 7/10 – Held the ball up well during his 20 minute stint, and his presence forced Lallana’s winner.

Steven Caulker – n/a

SEE ALSO:
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More Stories Adam Lallana Alberto Moreno Christian Benteke Emre Can James Milner Jordan Henderson Jordon Ibe Kolo Toure Lucas Leiva Mamadou Sakho nathaniel clyne Roberto Firmino simon mignolet steven caulker