Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday, after a 1-1 draw with Basel. We assess each Reds player on a bitterly disappointing night at Anfield.
Liverpool 1-1 Basel
Champions League, Group B, Matchday 6
Tuesday, 9th December 2014
SIMON MIGNOLET- 6 (out of 10)
The 26-year-old’s passing from the back was nervy all evening, and his kicking was erratic as ever. Made a couple of decent saves late on, but still nowhere near the required standard for a Liverpool goalkeeper in the Champions League.
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GLEN JOHNSON- 5.5
Johnson kept going to be fair to him, but he lacked quality throughout, losing the ball far too often, and was part of an extremely dodgy defence. Played far too many games in quick succession.
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MARTIN SKRTEL- 5.5The Slovakian was far from blameless by any means, but he did at least show some heart. Had a couple of decent efforts on goal, and won plenty in the air. Almost scored in stoppage time when deployed as an auxiliary centre-forward.
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DEJAN LOVREN- 5.5
Lovren looked as shaky as ever at times, and he still looks devoid of any confidence whatsoever. Actually played better when Liverpool were down to 10 men, winning challenges and showing more quality.
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JOSE ENRIQUE- 4
The Spaniard was pitiful during his 45 minutes on the pitch. He lost the ball continually in dangerous areas and offered no attacking thrust at all. Not good enough, and it’s rather baffling why he started.
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LUCAS LEIVA- 5
Having played so well of late, Lucas was disappointing. He looked ponderous on the ball, and lacked creativity and urgency. Started brightly but struggled as the game progressed and was withdrawn having been booked.
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JOE ALLEN- 5
The Welshman divides opinion, but he offered little. His passing was slack, physically he was weak and his general influence was simply not good enough. Perhaps wasted in a deeper role alongside Lucas, rather than further forward where he can influence play more.
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JORDAN HENDERSON- 6.5
The 24-year-old never stopped all night, and looked one of the Reds’ most lively players. Not everything came off for him, but at least he was a threat. Almost won it with a fierce strike in the dying seconds. Lined up on the left to begin with with high pressing and energy. Gave it his all.
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STEVEN GERRARD- 6.5
The skipper had had a stinker until the last 20 minutes in truth, but yet again he was the man who almost dragged his side to victory. His free-kick was sensational, and he rolled back the years late on, running at the Basel defence and producing incisive passes. It’s about time other people started stepping up to the plate.
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RAHEEM STERLING- 6.5
The 20-year-old was always lively, but his final ball and touch were poor throughout. His decision-making will improve with age, but he remains raw. Certainly, again, Liverpool’s main attacking threat.
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RICKIE LAMBERT- 4
The 32-year-old looked completely out of his depth, offering no movement, guile or goal threat, and he was hooked at half-time by Brendan Rodgers. He looks shattered, and has been played too much by the manager of late.
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Substitutes
ALBERTO MORENO (on for Enrique 46)- 6
The young Spaniard added more attacking threat than Enrique, but defensively he continues to look very rash.
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LAZAR MARKOVIC (on for Lambert 46)- 6.5
Having added a spark when he came on, he was then sent-off for supposedly lashing out. It was an extremely harsh decision. The 20-year-old looked bright during his 15 minutes he was on the pitch, dribbling at defenders and actually showing attacking intent.
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PHILIPPE COUTINHO (on for Lucas 74)- 6
The Brazilian added creativity that was lacking so hugely at times. Needs to play more often – in a central role, not out wide.
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