Coming into this game, Liverpool desperately needed a win as they have drawn 4 out of the last 4. However, as the scoreline might tell you, defending is still a gray area for Liverpool. Just minutes after Christian Benteke handed Liverpool a much-needed lead with his thumping header, the Reds defend again showed its true colors as they conceded a goal on a set piece. Thus, the wait goes on for Jurgen Klopp as even after three matches, the German seeks his first win as a Liverpool manager.
Here are the Player Ratings for both sides.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 7.5
Having made a plethora of brilliant saves in the first half, Simon Mignolet was again let down by his defenders today. He could have done nothing to prevent the goal that came as an equalizer for the Saints.
Nathaniel Clyne – 6.5
He had some decent opportunities in the final third of Southampton, however, as the score-line might indicate you, Clyne again did little to help his fellow teammates in the offensive department today.
Martin Skrtel -6
Not a day for Liverpool defenders once again as they stumbled yet again to provide respite to their teammates after going ahead.
Mamadou Sakho – 6
While he is seen as a player who is muscular, Sakho did very little to stop the likes of Pelle today. He was directly at fault for the goal Liverpool conceded after going ahead minutes earlier.
Alberto Moreno – 6
Had at least 2 decent opportunities throughout the 90-minutes to hand Klopp his first win, Alberto Moreno seems to have a knack of squandering brilliant openings for Liverpool.
Lucas Leiva – 8
While we did see goals at-last in this fixture, this fixture was cagey for the whole of the first half. Lucas made some brilliant interceptions while his tackling was also top notch today.
Emre Can – 6.5
A player who wants to know everything but ends up doing nothing, Emre Can need to realize his limitations if he intends to succeed under Jurgen Klopp.
James Milner – 7
Though his assist will overshadow the minds of the Liverpool faithful, James Milner had a terrible match on his cards before the arrival of Christian Benteke on the pitch. He looked more composed in the 2nd half.
Roberto Firmino – 6.5
With his performance today, Firmino made a good case of getting more game time from his manager in the coming days.
Jordan Ibe – 5
To be fair to the teenager, he arrived very late in the game and did nothing to have an impact on the match.
Christian Benteke -8
While they attributed it to the arrival of Jurgen Klopp, it was the substitution of Christian Benteke on the pitch in the 2nd half that lifted the atmosphere at Anfield.
Southampton
Martin Stekelenburg – 6
With all due credit to the Dan, he enjoyed a relatively comfortable afternoon at Anfield despite conceding a goal.
Soares – 7.5
One of the best performers from the Southampton defense, Soares did really well to keep Emre Can in check at certain intervals during the match.
Fonte – 7
As this was a Liverpool side that is still finding its feet, Fonte enjoyed the lion’s share of everything against Origi in the first half. He struggled to cope with Benteke though, and that is why his rating hasn’t been inflated here.
Van Dijk – 7
Had some very good chances to open the scoring for Saints, Dijk should be kicking himself for not converting the chances that came his way today.
Bertrand – 6
Being a left back, his minor role was to help his team-mates on the attacking front but most of the time Bertrand slowed Southampton with getting in the way of his fellow team-mates.
Ward Prowse – 6
Brought in place of Tadic when Southampton were losing their grip on the game in the 2nd half, Ward Prowse did little to match the attacking prowess of the player whom he substituted today.
Victor Wanyama – 7
Being a physical, athletic player, Wanyama enjoyed some critical battles with Lucas Leiva today in the midfield.
Ramirez – 7
Though he was substituted in, in the 2nd half, it was his assist that allowed Southampton to share the points today at Anfield.
Juanmi – 6
Another player who did nothing of substance today.
Mane – 7
While his rating could have been lot higher – as he scored the leveler for Tottenham, it is his red card that floored the rating of Sadio Mane today.
Graziano Pelle – 6.5
Created some decent opportunities, the decision making of Pelle was poor in crucial situations.
