Another week, another nail-biter for the Reds – and their fans – as the title-charge shows no sings of abating. Despite an injured Daniel Sturridge, a disappointingly tetchy Luis Suarez and a late sending off for Jordan Henderson, Liverpool managed to grind out a 78th minute winner against a resurgent second-half Man City to extend the lead at the top of the league to 5 points.
On a day that was full with emotion, as a minute’s silence was impeccably observed by both sets of fans, in respect to the 96 that lost their lives 25 years ago, it was fitting to see the outpouring of emotion following a win which puts the destiny of Liverpool’s hunt for the clubs’ 19th league title firmly in their own hands.
Find our player ratings below:
Simon Mignolet – 7: A few nervy moments for the Belgian no. 1 but he saved Liverpool a few times in both halves with excellent reaction saves and grew in the latter stages as Liverpool weathered a few City storms.
Jon Flanagan – 8: An unflappable display from the youngster who stayed back more than he got forward against City, allowing little room down his side in the first half.
Glen Johnson – 7: Will be the unlucky one to ‘claim’ the OG for City’s second but was solid throughout and got forward well, when required. As always, looks to be a weak link, defensively, for Liverpool and Milner somehow managed to get past him a few too many times in the second half but held his nerve.
Mamadou Sakho – 7: Another solid performance from Sakho, as he again showed why he should be the preferred choice to partner Skrtel. Imposing and surprisingly good on the ball, he is a good foil for the Slovakian, whilst providing a physical presence from set-pieces that Agger fails to.
Martin Skrtel – 8: At times appears to be the only man in the defence, making header after header and clearing everything that gets near his goal. Is still susceptible to shirt-pulling and nearly giving away fouls in his box but could perhaps do with more support from his team-mates. Showed a striker’s instinct for his goal and continues to be one of the key aspects to Liverpool’s title challenge.
Steven Gerrard – 9: An incredible captain’s performance from Gerrard, who stepped up to the plate and led by example. It’s easy to be critical of Gerrard’s fairly ‘quiet’ form of captaincy at times but against City he was everywhere, geeing up his team-mates and his ‘huddle’ moment at the end showed just how much this means to him, and how much he wants that title win.
Jordan Henderson – 7: Typically solid and hard-working display from Henderson but unlucky to be sent off. Not because he didn’t deserve it, simply because he just isn’t that type of player. The first time in the run-in that the occasion has got to him and Liverpool will suffer for his absence over the next 3 games.
Philippe Coutinho – 8: Was average in the first half and squandered many opportunities to set up his team-mates in order to take on a shot himself. He grew in to the game in the second half however and was there when Liverpool needed him most, placing a beautiful effort into Joe Hart’s bottom-left corner to give Liverpool what would end up being the winner.
Raheem Sterling – 10: Perhaps the young English wingers best game in a Liverpool shirt, utterly dominating City in the first half, whilst working hard defensively when he was needed in the second. His goal early on was reminiscent of the kind of trickery we’re used to seeing from Luis Suarez and if he remains in this kind of form he’ll be good for another few assists or goals over the next 4 games.
Daniel Sturridge – 6: Not the best game that Sturridge has had in a Red shirt and it is slightly worrying that his poorest run of the season has come at a time when Liverpool need him to be in form most. Limped off late on but sitting out the next game might be best for him and Liverpool, and letting Suarez run wild against Norwich on his own.
Luis Suarez – 7: In truth, it’s difficult to rate Suarez so slow as his contribution is always 100%, even when he isn’t at his best. But such was his tetchy, petulant attitude today that Liverpool were almost constantly at risk of going down to ten men after his early booking. It’s hard to understand why Suarez was in such a mood: was it the occasion, was it the pressure? Either way, that must be the last time we see that side of Luis for the remainder of this season, as with an off-form Sturridge and a banned Henderson, Liverpool need all of their key performers to be at their best for the next 4 matches.
Subs:
Joe Allen – 7: A top substitute appearance from Allen who came on and defended well, whilst contributing brilliantly at the other end. Stalled over shooting late on, and tried to find a team-mate when a goal of his own was more likely but hard to fault his effort and application in such a tense late stage.
Victor Moses – N/A: Unfair to really judge Moses, as he only had a few minutes but chased around after the balls and put his body in the way when it was required to be there.
Lucas Leiva – N/A: As with Moses, wasn’t on long enough (less than 2 minutes!) to be judged but his introduction should’ve come at half-time, or at least after City’s first goal, as his presence would’ve added some calm and balance into a panicking midfield. Will be important to have on the pitch in Henderson’s absence over the next month.
