How we rated the Reds during their 4-1 thrashing of Swansea City at Anfield.
Liverpool have continued what has been a quietly impressive unbeaten run this evening with a convincing win over Swansea City at Anfield, with Brendan Rodgers getting the better of his former player Garry Monk in a 4-1 success.
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Shelvey own goal video
Lallana goal video
The result will come as a real boost to Liverpool as they enter into the January transfer window looking to force their way back into the race for a Champions League spot. This is how we rated the Reds XI:
GK) Simon Mignolet 6 – Thrust back into the starting line up after an injury to Brad Jones, Mignolet had little to do but his kicking was once again poor.
CB) Mamadou Sakho 6 – French international Sakho now seems to be a regular in the Liverpool defence – he was solid, but sometimes a little shaky in possession.
CB) Martin Skrtel 7 – A dominant display from Skrtel, who was also a huge threat from attacking set pieces. The only blemish was a silly yellow card that rules him out of the New Year’s Day game with Leicester City.
CB) Emre Can 8 – Given a start in a central defensive role and was excellent, read the game well and his ability to start moves from the back was a real asset to his side.
RWB) Javi Manquillo 6 – Quiet on the right flank, but equally managed to keep his opponent Wayne Routledge on the periphery of the action.
LWB) Alberto Moreno 7 – Scored the first goal, but other than that it was similar to Manquillo – solid defensively but not regularly involved.
CM) Jordan Henderson 7 – An efficient and determined central midfield display from Henderson, who was busy off the ball and creative on it.
CM) Lucas Leiva 6 – With his side dominating most of the game, it was only really a job of sweeping up that was needed from Lucas – but he did it well.
ACM) Adam Lallana 9 – Man of the match. Scored two goals, albeit one of them very fortunate, and generally found the spaces left open by Swansea, exploiting them ruthlessly.
ACM) Philippe Coutinho 8 – Along with Lallana, found enough space to pick Swansea apart, particularly in the second half, and had the end product to match.
SC) Raheem Sterling 7 – Did well, running the channels effectively and stretching Swansea with his pace, although perhaps could’ve done better with a couple of openings.
SUB) Lazar Markovic 6 – Didn’t really have enough time to make an impact, but a couple of neat passes.
SUB) Mario Balotelli 6 – Had one chance to score but denied by a good Fabianski save.
SUB) Fabio Borini 5 – Only really an exercise in handing out a standing ovation to the excellent Coutinho.
MAN) Brendan Rodgers 8 – Seems to have hit upon an effective formation in the shape of 3-4-3 and outthought his former pupil Garry Monk on the night.
