Following Liverpool’s soulless 0-0 draw with West Brom on Saturday, Henry Jackson assesses each Reds performer on the day.
West Brom 0-0 Liverpool
Premier League – The Hawthorns – Saturday, 25th April 2015
SIMON MIGNOLET (out of 10)- 7
While a number of Liverpool players seem to be getting worse as the season progresses, Mignolet once again continued his excellent recent form.
The 27-year-old had virtually nothing to do until late in the day, but made vital stops to deny both Victor Anichebe and Callum McManaman.
EMRE CAN– 5.5
Brendan Rodgers deployed Can as a right-back, and once again the young German simply didn’t look comfortable in the role.
His use of the ball was a little sloppy on more than one occasion, and McManaman had the beating of him when he was introduced in the second-half. Must be used centrally.
MARTIN SKRTEL– 6.5
Skrtel’s form has been terrific since Christmas, and he was once again solid on the whole.
The 30-year-old had little to do all afternoon, keeping the bruising Anichebe quiet for the most part. One poor clearance almost allowed the former Everton man the head home after the break though.
DEJAN LOVREN– 8
Lovren enjoyed comfortably his finest performance in a Reds shirt, after what has been an extremely below-par first season on Merseyside.
The 25-year-old was everywhere at times, making vital tackles, showing composure on the ball and clearing the ball off the line late on. A hugely pleasing display from the under-fire Croatian.
GLEN JOHNSON- 5
To put it bluntly, the end of Johnson’s Liverpool career can’t come soon enough, assuming he’s leaving in the summer.
The Englishman was his usual lackadaisical self, almost gifting West Brom goals on two occasions. His attacking thrust was relatively non-existent too.
The 34-year-old was comfortably better than he was against Aston Villa last Sunday, but that was partly to do with West Brom’s horrible lack of adventure. They never tested his lack of legs.
The skipper’s passing was good on the whole, barring the odd wayward long-range effort, but once again it was hard to watch a player lacking the enormous influence he once did.
The vice-captain didn’t stamp his authority on the game at any point, and while he did little wrong, he will be disappointed with his display.
The England international seemed too concerned at leaving Gerrard alone in midfield, and because of it he didn’t make enough forays into the West Brom penalty area until late in the day.
The brilliant 22-year-old may not have had his finest day at the office, but he was still the pick of the Reds’ attacking players.
He was guilty of trying too much on the ball several times, but he was the only player you really felt could be the match-winner as the clock ticked by. Admirable effort in a struggling side.
JORDON IBE– 6.5
The 19-year-old returned having been cup-tied for the Villa game, and looked a bright spark for much of the game.
He improved as the match progressed, crashing a wonderful effort against the crossbar, before being rather unfortunately substituted with 16 minutes remaining.
Sterling made a bright start to proceedings, looking lively down the left and linking nicely with the likes of Coutinho and Mario Balotelli, but he was poor after the break.
He got very little out of either Craig Dawson or Chris Brunt, and although he never stopped trying, you expect more if you are supposedly one of Europe’s brightest young talents.
MARIO BALOTELLI- 6
Like Sterling, Balotelli looked a threat in the early exchanges, showing good strength and quality a number of times.
He didn’t offer enough movement at any point though, and was replaced after 74 minutes having drifted out of the game.
Substitutes
ADAM LALLANA (on for Ibe ’74)- 6
The former Southampton star showed a few nice touches, but didn’t really have an impact.
FABIO BORINI (on for Balotelli ’74)- 5.5
Willing as ever, but ineffective.
BRENDAN RODGERS- 5
Another day to forget for the Liverpool manager, who seemed somewhat clueless as to how to break down West Brom’s stubborn rearguard.
Constantly picking Johnson remains completely baffling, as does playing Can at right-back and giving Gerrard 90 minutes in every game he plays. The vultures are beginning to circle more and more.
Referee- ROGER EAST- 6
East was not really noticeable throughout, which suggests he did a good job. He was a little picky with some decisions, but then all referees seem to be.
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