OPINION
Liverpool hosted Paris St Germain at Anfield on Tuesday night in their first Champions League outing of the season and would have been thrilled to win 3-2.
The Reds stormed out of the blocks and were quickly rewarded with a 2-0 lead as Daniel Sturridge scored from six-yards out to open the scoring before James Milner converted from the spot to make his side look comfortable.
However PSG had scored in their last 16 games in the Champions League in a row ahead of their clash with the Reds, so it was no surprise they pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 before half-time.
The Reds ended up thinking they had drawn the game 2-2 after Kylian Mbappe scored for PSG but Roberto Firmino scored at the death to ensure his side won the game 3-2.
Live 4 Liverpool has awarded each Reds player a score out of 10 for their display against PSG, as several players dazzled by scoring an eight or above while one takes the MOTM honour with a 10/10 display:
Goalkeeper and defence
Alisson Becker – 7 – Made a respectable save to deny Neymar in the 17th minute. There was not much he could do to deny PSG pulling a goal back before the break nor could he be expected to save Mbappe’s effort.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9 – Got forward as often as he could and generally his delivery was good enough. Was comfortable for the most part when facing world-class talent. However he clearly is more an asset going forward than he is at the back, but he will continue to become more of a reliable presence at the back with experience. Played vital part in the Reds getting the third goal of the game.
Virgil van Dijk – 7 – Had a decent effort on goal in the early stages of the game before putting in a very solid defence display. Had to play cautiously after picking up yellow card in the first-half.
Joe Gomez – 8 – Got on the end of a decent corner swung in by the Reds in the 15th minute, would have been disappointed not to work the keeper. Made a sloppy pass in the first-half which had Jordan Henderson raging at him. However kept some word-class players in his back pocket.
Andy Robertson – 8 – Demonstrated his cross ability to give Daniel Sturridge an unmissable chance to open the scoring. The left-back cruised to another classy performance that should have no one surprised.
Midfield
James Milner – 10 – Ran the show. Dominated the midfield battle for his side as he timed several of his tackles to perfection. Milner, who earns £100,000-a-week at Anfield (Source: Spotrac), should be drooled over for another excellent performance. Are we sure he is 32-years-old at this point? As he really is making a case for why he is the real-life Benjamin Button with the amount of ground he covers. Calmness personified by slotting home a classy penalty.
Jordan Henderson – 9 – Easily disposed Neymar several times in the first-half. Covered so much ground and oozed passion, a captain’s performance.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7 – Looked like he was carrying an injury in the first 30 minutes as that was the only logical reason why he looked a yard behind his teammates. Got absolutely taken out by the PSG defence in order to win his side a penalty. After winning a spot-kick for his side, started to improve.
Attack
Mohamed Salah – 7 – Constantly caused PSG to be scrambling at the back as they just couldn’t contain his pace or unpredictable runs. The attacker may have liked to get a goal to show for his efforts but what he did do was vital. Especially when he had a goal disallowed in controversial style. However he was at fault for the goal.
Daniel Sturridge – 7 – Made a nuisance of himself in the very early stages by using his experience to bully PSG at set-pieces before looking a little out of the game. However he sprung into life to head home Alexander-Arnold’s cross from 6-yards out and is no doubt buzzing.
Sadio Mane – 8 – Had an effort saved after Salah set-up him up a clear shot at goal in the 10th minute. Dazzling run in the first-half that left Neymar look foolish if only his resulting shot would have been better. Proved he had the legs to cause anyone problems.
Substitutes
Roberto Firmino (On for Sturridge 72) – 8 – The Brazilian was making his 150th appearances for the Reds and celebrated in style by scoring to give them the win at the death.
Xherdan Shaqiri (On for Salah 85) – N/A – Needed more time to impress.
Fabinho (On for Mane 90+) – N/A
