Lovren awful yet again.
Liverpool won 3-0 at Manchester United last season, but the Red Devils avenged that defeat on Sunday by claiming victory by the same scoreline, with Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie finding the net.
Brendan Rodgers tried an interesting 3-5-1-1 formation at Old Trafford, but it did not work as his side failed to win for a third consecutive game in all competitions.
Here’s how Liverpool rated at Old Trafford:
GK: Brad Jones – 6/10
Jones didn’t do much wrong on this rare start. He perhaps could have done better with Rooney’s goal, but he did produce an excellent stop to deny Van Persie late on.
CB: Glen Johnson – 5/10
Rodgers’ decision to play Johnson at centre-back was strange. As it turned out, it didn’t really matter, because he limped off with an injury after just 25 minutes.
CB: Dejan Lovren – 4/10
Dreadful yet again. He made a mess of his clearance and then played Van Persie onside for United’s third goal, which killed the game.
CB: Martin Skrtel – 6/10
The pick of a very poor defensive bunch.
RWB: Jordan Henderson – 6/10
Did ok in an unfamiliar position.
LWB: Alberto Moreno – 6/10
Did quite well going forward.
CM: Joe Allen 4/10
Allen’s shocking display was summed up by the way he let Antonio Valencia glide past him en route to setting up Rooney for the game’s opening goal.
CM: Steven Gerrard – 5/10
Past his best. Sad to watch.
CM: Adam Lallana – 7/10
One of Liverpool’s brightest players, before being strangely hauled off by Rodgers for Balotelli at half time.
AM: Philippe Coutinho – 5/10
Fans have been calling for Coutinho to get more game time recently. He had 90 minutes today and did nothing.
ST: Raheem Sterling – 7/10
Worked very hard and caused United many problems. However, he is clearly not a striker – and that was all too clear as he failed to convert any of his three good chances.
Subs:
Kolo Toure 7/10
Liverpool’s November Player of the Month looked much more secure than Johnson, whom he replaced.
Mario Balotelli – 7/10
Looked up for it. Was very positive in his play and forced three good saves out of David de Gea, who was United’s man of the match.
Lazar Markovic – 5/10
Anonymous. At least he didn’t get sent off.