Liverpool 4-0 Borussia Dortmund-Player Ratings: Reds send warning to rivals with 4-0 rout

Goalkeepers

Simon Mignolet  6.8

Mignolet did not have one save to make all game in what was a comfortable day for the Reds defence. The Belgium looked composed with his feet, making some good long balls forward.

Defenders

Javier Manquillo   7.7

Manquillo was making his debut at Anfield, but it did not show. The young Spanish star looked comfortable on the ball going forward, making some surging runs forward, but also made some decisive challenges at the back for Liverpool. Manquillo would have impressed Rodgers with this showing and has put in a challenge to start in the league opener against Southampton.

Manquillo impresses on Liverpool debut

Martin Skrtel     7.3

Skrtel had a very comfortable day in the heart of defence, but showed that his partnership with new signing Lovren could be key for Liverpool this season. Skrtel won everything in the air and has earned a start next week after his pre-season form and for being Liverpool’s best defender last season.

Dejan Lovren     8.6

The new 20million signing proved what he can give Liverpool this season after an impressive debut. Scored the Reds second goal with a powerful header and also played a part in the first goal with a great pass for Coutinho to flick it on to Sturridge. The Croatian showed real composure on the ball and leadership at the back, making a number of great tackles at the same time. Got a great cross field pass, very similar range to Steven Gerrard surprisingly, and could prove a threat in an attacking sense as well.

Lovren celebrates scoring on debut

Glen Johnson     7.5

Johnson has drawn a lot of criticism for his performances lately, but today was much more of a composed performance at left-back for Johnson. Galloped forward well and proved a threat to the opponents, but also did his defensive duties well at the other end.

Martin Kelly       6.5

Kelly did not have long to make an impression on the game but is far down the pecking order at the moment with Johnson, Flanagan and Manquillo all ahead of him. Needs to up his game if he is to have a future at Liverpool, but has not impressed too much this pre-season.

Jose Enrique     6.7

Enrique is gaining fitness with every game he plays but he could have some real competition in the shape off Alberto Moreno if he signs this week. The Spaniard will prove to be a valuable player this season, even if he doesn’t play every week.

Midfielders

Jordan Henderson   8.0

Henderson has proved this pre-season and last season how important of a player he has become to Liverpool. His energy levels are unmatched and he could easily play 90 minutes every day, such is his fitness. Scored the Reds fourth goal with a tap-in but has proved in pre-season he could score more goals this season. Henderson is one of the first names on the team sheet and that has proved how far he has come, thanks to his attitude.

Emre Can         6.7

Can has impressed a lot of people during pre-season with his strength and speed, but today he could not get involved in the game as he would have liked. Can needed to do more to put his name on the team sheet next week, but is still in for a shot to start.

Steven Gerrard     7.8

Gerrard is proving to be very consistent in his new position and rarely has a bad game now. The Liverpool skipper controlled the tempo of the game, with Dortmund unable to deal with the passing range of Gerrard.

Lucas Leiva       6.9

Came on for Emre Can in the second half and did a good job in protecting the back four. Lucas could not get into the game in an attacking sense which is why Rodgers would prefer to play Allen, Lallana. Coutinho or Can in that position as Lucas is too defensive. The Brazilian has a knack of giving away stupid fouls in bad areas, something he needs to cut out of his game.

Raheem Sterling   8.2

Sterling produced yet another impressive display with Dortmund unable to handle his pace. The 19-year old could be a big player for Liverpool this season and is starting to produce more goals and create chances for other players. Sterling seems to have improved on his defensive skills after tracking back to help out Johnson well, and showed unbelievable strength for such a small lad.

Raheem Sterling catches the eye again after impressive game

Coutinho           8.8- Man Of The Match

Coutinho pulled the strings for Liverpool today with everything Liverpool produced came through the young Brazilian. Scored the third goals of the game with a neat finish, something he needs to work on still, but what was more impressive was the flick to Sturridge to open the scoring. Coutinho has been described by Rodgers as the ‘brain of the team’ and that was proven with this performance.

‘Brains of the team’ Coutinho pulled the strings in midfield

Jordan Ibe       6.5

Ibe came on at a time where there was a number of substitutions that affected the game. Could not get involved in the game while he was on the pitch but this could still be the 17-year-olds breakthrough season this year.

Strikers

Daniel Sturridge   8.4

With their being so much talk about replacing Luis Suarez Liverpool already have the perfect player to fill the Uruguayans boots. A delightful outside of the foot finish for the first goal of the game and a wonderful piece of skill and pass to find Henderson for the Reds fourth goal proved he could step up even more this season. If Sturridge can stay fit all season then he will be the man to get the goals that Liverpool need.

We hope to see this celebration plenty more times during the season

Rickie Lambert     6.3

Lambert came on late in the game but once again another uninspired display by the Englishman. With Lambert struggling at the moment Liverpool are in the market for another striker to partner Sturridge or be back up and Lambert does not fit the bill. Good player to have on the bench but would not inspire confidence in Liverpool fans if he were to start for Liverpool this season.

Liverpool 1-0 Olympiacos-Player Ratings-Liverpool claim narrow first win in International Champions Cup

Goalkeepers

Brad Jones   7.2

Did not put a foot wrong in goal for Liverpool, although he did not have a lot to do. Looked comfortable for set pieces and made a important save in the last couple of minutes to deny Olympiacos a goal.

Defenders

Glen Johnson   5.9

Johnson was Liverpool’s worst defender on the pitch. He constantly gave the ball away in dangerous areas and would not get back down the pitch for his defensive duties when going forward. Johnson did nothing to please Liverpool fans who want Johnson out of the team for the coming season.

Martin Kelly   6.2

Looked comfortable at the back and passed the ball very well while in danger. Got forward a couple of times, but looks more assured in his defensive job. Kelly performed better than Johnson when he was on the pitch, making Liverpool a lot tighter at the back.

Martin Skrtel     8.8-Man Of The Match

Skrtel was superb at the back for Liverpool today and showed manager Brendan Rodgers that he remains Liverpool’s best defender. Skrtel made a number of key interceptions in the game to stop certain goals and looked comfortable while on the ball. Skrtel was dominant in the air winning every header, proving that Lovren should partner Skrtel at the back for Liverpool this season.

Skrtel was impressive at the back

Kolo Toure       7.3

Toure Came under fire a lot from Liverpool fans last season after a number of costly errors, but put in a comfortable showing for Liverpool in this game. Toure is currently Liverpool fifth choice defender showing they have a vast number of defensive options if needed.

Sebastion Coates   7.0

Coates put in another comfortable showing for Liverpool but it currently way behind in the pecking order for the Reds. Looked solid in the air and showed he is a solid defender that could put him in the shop window for clubs that are interested.

Jose Enrique     7.2

Enrique looks to have recovered from the injury that plagued him last season after another impressive first half showing here. Made some critical interceptions and tackles and got forward when he needed to.

Jack Robinson   6.7

Robinson got forward a number of times but lacks a final ball that will make him a better player, which will hopefully come with experience. Comfortable in defence but was vulnerable when he galloped forward too many times.

Midfielders

Steven Gerrard   8.1

Gerrard showed all of his experience in this game and does not look like he needs pre-season to prepare himself for the coming season. Controlled the tempo of the Liverpool play and made a delightful pass to Sturridge in the build-up to the goal. Made some great tackles and passes in the game and showed why he is such an important player to Liverpool for the coming season.

Gerrard controlled the tempo of Liverpool’s play

Emre Can     7.4

Can only played 45 minutes but looked impressive during the time he was on the pitch. Can showed he’s got good pace and strength to succeed in the Premier League.

Emre Can did not look out of place in Liverpool first team

Jordan Henderson     7.8

Henderson played the full 90 minutes and showed what an engine he has. Ran all day and showed great link-up play with his fellow midfield players and forwards. Henderson will be a key player for Liverpool this season with his engine and work effort being pivotal to the Liverpool cause.

Lucas Leiva         6.3

Lucas has a point to prove to Rodgers to prove he should be in Liverpool’s first team plans, but on the basis of this performance Liverpool have better options. Gave away a number of needless free-kicks, which he consistently does, and did not look good on the ball.

Joe Allen           6.2

Allen had a very similar performance to Lucas and ultimately failed to impress once again. Allen gave away the ball a number of times, with one of them very nearly costly. The Welshman could not get his passing together and ended a number of Liverpool attacks.

Lazar Markovic   7.5

Markovic made an impressive debut and gave glimpses of what he is about. Markovic was at his best when running at defenders and had a decent chance but curled it over the bar. The Serbian showed Rodgers he could be a key player this season after showing good signs here.

Markovic looked lively on debut

Raheem Sterling   8.2

Sterling scored the only goal of the game and showed great instinct and finishing to get into the position and finish it off. Sterling looked lively all game and was always on the move. With the departure of Suarez then Sterling could be in for a big season this year.

Sterling scored the only goal of the game

Coutinho             7.4

Coutinho looked good on the ball and always looked dangerous on the ball. The Brazilian looks more dangerous when playing in a more central position but still threatened from the wing. Coutinho made a number of superb passes and linked up well with the forward players.

Jordan Ibe           6.3

Ibe did not get to many minutes to make his mark on the game but looked lively. Ibe made a number of good runs and put in Joe Allen for a great chance at the end of the game after a superb run and pass.

Forwards

Daniel Sturridge       6.8

Sturridge had a very quiet game in front of goal but showed goo link up with the midfielders. The England international scuffed a shot that deflected to Sterling for the goal but did not have the chance to get around the box as he would have liked.

Rickie Lambert   6.5

Lambert came on in the closing minutes off the game but held the ball well up front to take the pressure of the defenders.

Take part in the pole above or comment below who your man of the match was!

Real Madrid to monitor Raheem Sterling

Real Madrid are considering making a move for Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling after his impressive season, but are willing to wait till next summer.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancellotti is said to be a big fan of the 19-year-old, who started England’s last two World Cup games.

According to the Sun on Sunday, Ancellotti was considering making a move this summer, but he wants to wait and see how well Sterling performs in the Champions League.

Other sources claim that Real Madrid want Sterling as a replacement for the potential departure of Angel Di Maria.

Liverpool are set to hold talks over a new contract once Sterling returns to England, putting in any doubt over his long-term future if he signs the potential 100,000-per-week contract.

Luis Suarez confident he will make the World Cup and is proud people in Uruguay have become avid followers of Liverpool

Liverpool and Uruguay star Luis Suarez is confident he will be playing at the World Cup despite his recent knee operation.

The Uruguay striker damaged his meniscus in his left knee in training on May 22 and went under the knife, leading to many believing he will not make the World Cup.

But the 27-year-old old, who won both major player of the seasons honours for Liverpool after scoring 31 goals, has insisted he never feared missing the World Cup.

“Emotionally, I’ve felt fine; psychologically, I’ve been spectacular,” said Suarez. “At no time did I feel pressured. At no time have I felt sad because at no point did I think there was a chance of me missing the World Cup. The thought never went through my mind.

“I could have really cried [in pain] because of this injury but I didn’t, because I knew. I knew. When the doctor first spoke to me three little tears fell, but no more. My wife said, ‘I can’t believe how strong you’re being’ but I knew I’d make it.

“Injuries are not only a physical question, which is the most important thing of course, but also a question of your mind. If you’re thinking, ‘I’m not going to make it’, ‘I can’t cope’, ‘It hurts’, ‘It’s never going to get better’, then it won’t.

“My objective was clear: Be strong emotionally and physically. I wanted my children to be able to see me play at the World Cup.

“If they had said to me that the extent of the injury was greater, I’d have been worried. But knowing the grade of the injury, I was confident. I knew that there was time to make it.

“I’ve heard so many meniscus stories. Some players say, ‘I was back in 15 days’, the next one says 20, the next says 25. Each case is different. Some players said, ‘I was walking on the second day’ [after surgery]. But then they admit, ‘After 20 days it swelled up again.'”

Skrtel praises Reds collective effort

Martin Skrtel praised Liverpool’s collective effort to pick up all three points in a hard thought 3-2 victory over Norwich City.

Liverpool raced into a two goal lead thanks for goals from Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling, Gary Hooper pulled a goal back for the Canaries before Sterling scored his second to give Liverpool their two goal advantage back.

Robert Snodgrass scored in the 77^th minute to set up a tense finish to the match, but Liverpool came through the game and went 5 points clear at the top of the table.

Speaking to his official website, Skrtel reflected: “We have three very precious points.

“The first half was really good, we were dominant, scored two goals and also kept them at bay, but the second half was different.

“They played really well and never gave up. We didn’t play that well in the second half but we fought very hard and we won. It was a collective effort.

“Now we have one week to get ready for Chelsea and obviously everyone knows what a game that is.”

 

 

 

 

Sterling: We go again next week

Liverpool’s young starlet Raheem Sterling says Liverpool are still focusing on one game at a time, with title rivals Chelsea to play at Anfield on Sunday.

Sterling has scored 10 goals this season for the Reds, with a real chance of being on the plane with England for the World up.

“We are taking it step by step,” insisted Sterling. “We know what a big part of the season this is. We will just go into Chelsea and try and do what we did against Norwich. We go again next weekend.

“We come in every day, we see each other and we know what the dream is. We are keeping each other modest. If we keep working hard, there is a real goal at the end of it. We just have to keep our head down, keep working hard and concentrate on the weekend.”

Sterling scored two vital goals for Liverpool at the weekend in the vital 3-2 victory over Norwich City, also claiming the man of the match award.

The 19-year-old dedicated his stunning opener to manager Brendan Rodgers and the faith that the Reds boss has had in him.

“He has had belief in me, he has put me in different positions and had the faith to try me there,” the 19-year-old told the Liverpool Echo.

“He has had great faith and I am just glad I got a goal for him and a goal for the team. I knew there was a lot more to come from me. I just needed to have confidence and right now my confidence is sky high.

“It was a great win against Norwich. We knew there was pressure on us but we just took it as another game. The last 10 minutes were a bit nerve-racking but I thought everyone did collectively well. We fought for our lives, and we got the result in the end.

“The manager told us to make sure a result like the Chelsea one [against Sunderland] didn’t happen to us. He told us Norwich are fighting to stay up and we knew what to expect. We did really well to stay together when it was tough late on. We got the three points, and that’s all that matters.”

 

 

Liverpool player ratings vs Preston

SIMON MIGNOLET-7

Simon Mignolet made his debut at Deepdale against Preston North End and did not have a lot to do. He did not put a foot wrong but was untested and only made one routine save during the whole match.

 Substituted for Danny Ward on 75 minutes.

DANNY WARD-6

Danny Ward came on as a substitute on the 75^th minute mark for Simon Mignolet but like the Belgium was untested. Did not put a foot wrong but the only time he was tested was when a cross was whipped in and he collected it well.

Came on in the second half for Mignolet but only played 15 minutes.

JAY SPEARING-6

Jay Spearing played in an unusual position at right back and looked it. Spearing looked like a lower league player for the most part of the match getting beaten for both strength and speed by a league one Preston side. Although he didn’t make too many mistakes he just looked like the weak link in the team.

Substituted at halftime after playing 45 minutes.

Sterling and Coutinho shine as Liverpool stroll to victory in the sun

Liverpool strolled into Deepdale with four new signings and all the talk surrounding the Luis Suarez transfer saga, but they left with fans talking about Raheem Sterling and Coutinho.

Liverpool ran out 4-0 winners in Deepdale with Coutinho, Jordan Ibe, Raheem Sterling and Iago Aspas all on the score sheet. Liverpool used a total of 23 players and all the new signings getting at least 45 minutes of game time as well as the return of Joe Allen, Raheem Sterling and Martin Kelly from injury.

Liverpool are still missing a number of players with Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge out through injury and Luis Suarez, Jose Reina and Sebastian Coates all on extended break as they took part in the Confederations Cup.

Liverpool started with two of their four new signings with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and defender Kolo Toure both starting the match, while Spanish duo Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas were put on the bench.

Liverpool cool interest in Cristian Atsu as they put their faith into Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe

Liverpool have cooled their interest in Porto winger Christian Atsu as Rodgers puts faith within Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe.

Liverpool held talks with Porto over the Ghanaian winger but have decided not to push through a deal for the 21-year-old.

Atsu would off cost the Reds a cut price 3million, as he is out of contract next summer, but instead Rodgers has put his faith in the youngsters he already has at his disposal.

18-year-old Raheem Sterling is now fully fit after recovering from a thigh injury he got in March, which ended his season.

Raheem Sterling impressed many people at the start of the season, making 24 league appearances scoring twice, but was pulled out of the side at the turn of the year as Rodgers was concerned Sterling was getting fatigued.

Liverpool are prepared to back Sterling, if he can recapture the form that earned him a lucrutave contract and a England call up.

Sterling has been linked to clubs for a possible loan move to gain more experience, however Liverpool have no intention for Sterling to leave on loan and expect him to be a big part of their 2013-14 campaign.

Fellow highly-rated teenager Jordan Ibe is set to be given backing from Rodgers.

17-year-old winger Jordan Ibe, who was signed from Wycombe Wanderers in 2011, shone on his debut in the final game of the season, providing the assist for Coutinho’s goal in the 1-0 victory over QPR.

Liverpool are ready to put a number of other young players for loan though.

No decision has been made on the future’s of Suso and Andre Wisdom, both shone last season, who would benefit from having first team football.

Raheem Sterling-Can he make his mark this season like he did in the last?