Rickie Lambert and Simon Mignolet struggle badly, again…
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5) Simon Mignolet is living on borrowed time…
If the transfer window was still open, few would bet against Liverpool signing a new ‘keeper. Again, Mignolet stayed on his line for Middlesbrough’s first goal, and saved just one of 15 penalties he faced during the match and the shoot-out (another one missed the target altogether). In the post-match interview, he looked completely downhearted and depressed – in complete contrast to young Jordan Rossiter standing next to him who had scored on his debut. Don’t be surprised if Victor Valdes signs as soon as he’s fit…
4) Rickie Lambert is nervous, bereft of confidence, and overawed by playing for Liverpool…
Lambert was given his first start for the Reds, and handed the captaincy to boot. Unfortunately, it did anything but inspire him, and instead looked like a weight on his shoulders – making him run even slower than usual. Lambert’s touch was off, his decision making was poor, and his movement was non-existent.
3) Adam Lallana is slowly (but surely) improving…
Lallana was terrible on debut, and was pretty poor versus Ludogorets in the Champions League, too. Against West Ham though, he was one of Liverpool’s better performers – and against Boro’, he had easily his best game in a red shirt. A number of tasty turns and flicks showed that when 100% fit – he could be a key performer for Brendan Rodgers this season.
2) Raheem Sterling is head and shoulders above any other Liverpool player…
The last time a team relied as much on a teenager was at the back end of the 20th Century, when Liverpool needed Michael Owen to score goals aplenty to win matches… Now, the same team needs 19-year-old Sterling just as much. The dynamo was comfortably the best player on the pitch, although he did miss his penalty in the shoot-out. Liverpool are playing so poorly right now, that an injury to Sterling would totally derail an already difficult season.
1) Jordan Rossiter is one for the future, and not one for now…
Yes, the teenager scored for the Reds, stroking in from outside the area following a goalkeeper mistake, but he doesn’t yet have the physical ability to contribute in the Premier League. He’s small, and will remind Liverpool fans more of Jay Spearing than Steven Gerrrard right now. Time is on his side though, and if he fills out and gains a few inches, he’ll likely be given more chances in the future.
