Sakho was superb on the night and kept most of United’s attacks at bay
GK/Defence
Simon Mignolet – While there was more for Mignolet to do on the night, there was only the one real save to make and that was early in the first half. Got nowhere near the penalty and was more comfortable in the second half. Rating – 6
Nathaniel Clyne – Was held back more to try and cope with Martial and looked like he might have a torrid night ahead after being drawn into a foul and giving United a way back into the tie. He’ll be glad Coutinho leveled things just before half-time more than anyone. Rating – 6
Mamadou Sakho – What a night to find your real form again. The French defender has had a great deal of criticism from Live4Liverpool this season but saved his best display of the season for probably the biggest game of the season. He was a rock at the heart of defence and seemed to always know where to stick his foot. Absolutely dominant display. Rating 9 Man of the Match
Dejan Lovren – And if Sakho was the best player on the pitch, Lovren was his able deputy. The Croatian took a back seat, allowing Sakho to take the lead but he grappled with Fellaini all night and, for the most part, got the better of the Belgian midfielder. United’s favourite plan of knocking it long to their tallest player rarely worked thanks to Lovren and Sakho’s combined solidity on the night. Rating – 7.5
James Milner – Probably the Premier League’s most famous utility man and boy did he earn that title again tonight after being asked to fill in for the injured Alberto Moreno. Spent most of the second half in United’s half, or in midfield and didn’t look at all out of place. Rating – 8
