Sterling shines, but another Mignolet error sees the Belgian stopper rated low…
Liverpool player ratings
- 22 Mignolet – 5
Two big games, two mistakes for Mignolet since Christmas day. The Belgian let a soft goal in against City, and he did so today against Chelsea, when Eto’o’s feeble shot slipped through his fingers. He did make two excellent saves, but will be remembered for his costly error.
- 02 Johnson (Iago Aspas – 83′ ) – 5
His passing was poor, and he rarely supported the impressive Sterling up the right flank. Hazard, and then Willian when Chelsea’s attackers swapped wings, had the better of him all afternoon.
- 05 Agger – 7
The Dane was brought back into the side at left-back and did very well. Made good last ditch interceptions, but surprisingly got forward well for a player who is naturally a centre-back.
- 37 Skrtel – 6
Occasionally looked nervy in possession, but actually had a relatively solid game at the back. Nothing he could do about either goal, and gave Liverpool the lead in the first ten minutes.
- 17 Sakho (Kolo Touré – 90′ ) – 6
The Frenchman came off injured late on, and Reds fans will be hoping he isn’t out for a long time. Before then, Sakho worked hard, and was good in the air – hitting the bar in the second half from an attacking set-piece. Looked nervous when Hazard was running at him, but to be fair – most defenders do.
- 21 Lucas – 5
Really struggled to dominate the midfield, especially in the first half. David Luiz on the Chelsea side performed the anchorman role more effectively than his Brazilian counterpart for the Blues, and helped them establish a foothold on the game early on.
- 24 Allen (Brad Smith – 60′ ) – 5 & 4
Allen was anonymous in the first-half, although he did get forward and have one impressive shot saved. Was taken off injured in the second half, and replaced by débutante Brad Smith, who to be fair, had an afternoon to forget.
- 14 Henderson – 7
Worked hard, as he always does, in the middle of the park – but his passing wasn’t as fluid and crisp as it has been in recent weeks. Improved in the second half though, and supplied Coutinho with the ball in promising positions.
- 31 Sterling – 8
Liverpool’s most consistent, effective attacking outlet. Sterling’s pace caused Azpilicueta and Cole problems all afternoon, and he regularly got Liverpool into good positions. If his final ball was a little better, Liverpool may have left the game with a draw.
- 10 Coutinho – 7
His dribbling was brilliant to watch, but his through balls were often over hit, making it difficult for Suarez to time his runs. The little Brazilian received more ball in the second half though, and perhaps should shoot at goal more instead of always looking for a clever pass.
- 07 Suárez – 6
Didn’t have a sniff in the first half, and although he improved in the second, only had one shot on goal of note from a volley. However, he definitely should have earned his side a penalty late on, when Samuel Eto’o shoulder barged him off the ball late on. Brendan Rodgers has every right to be furious his side were not awarded a penalty.
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