Liverpool defeated Blackburn 1-0 on Wednesday evening, reaching the FA Cup semi-finals in the process. We assess each Reds player on the night; please submit your ratings too.
Blackburn 0-1 LiverpoolFA Cup – Ewood Park – Wednesday, 8th April 2015
SIMON MIGNOLET (out of 10)- 8.5
Mignolet was once again superb, and Liverpool’s standout player on the night. The 27-year-old Belgian made two terrific saves straight after half-time that proved vital, and his decision-making was top-class all evening.
He continues to look more and more like Liverpool’s long-term first-choice goalkeeper by the game.
GLEN JOHNSON- 7
Johnson is never going to earn too many plaudits these days, but he enjoyed a decent game at right-back.
The Englishman got forward effectively time and time again, and his use of the ball was far better than of late. Defensively still far from perfect though.
DEJAN LOVREN- 7.5
The Croatian has endured a miserable first season at Anfield, but this was one of his finest performances for the Reds to date.
The 25-year-old rarely put a foot wrong all evening, winning aerial battles, reading danger and generally oozing confidence.
MAMADOU SAKHO- 5.5
The Frenchman was enduring a poor start to the game, almost gifting Blackburn a goal after dawdling in possession, before a hamstring injury ended his evening after just 27 minutes.
ALBERTO MORENO- 6.5
Another game, another adequate performance from the Reds’ likeable left-back. The Spaniard was more solid than spectacular, but did his job pretty well.
LUCAS LEIVA- 7.5
Lucas was an important presence in the middle of the park from start to finish, bringing steel and experience that can be vital in gritty games like this.
The 28-year-old played some incisive, unnoticed passes that kept the Reds’ attacks ticking over, and responded well after an awful performance against Arsenal.
JOE ALLEN- 7
Allen is a player who does the unnoticed things well and the noticeable things not so well, and that epitomised his display against Blackburn.
His defensive work and use of the ball was good in general, but he was also guilty of not doing enough in key areas. Unlucky not to win a penalty in stoppage-time.
JORDAN HENDERSON- 6.5
The captain on the night wasn’t at his influential best, but still played a big part in what was a massive victory under pressure.
The 24-year-old struggled to get going, but set-up Philippe Coutinho‘s winning goal with a clever pass. His 12th assist of the season; more than any other Liverpool player.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO- 7.5
Coutinho wasn’t having a particularly good evening at half-time, after a sloppy display, but his influence grew hugely after the break.
The 22-year-old found far more space as the game opened up, and scored the only goal of the game after a clever exchange with Jordan Henderson. Nice to see a good finish from him after some criticism in that department.
RAHEEM STERLING- 7
The 20-year-old looked his side’s greatest attacking threat for much of the night, but he has still played far better.
The England international showed good strength, trickery and unpredictability, but a wayward second-half shot was evidence that his final product still needs to improve. Perhaps we just expect too much of him at times.
DANIEL STURRIDGE- 5
Sturridge still looks way short of his best. Time and time again his touch was woefully heavy, but he did improve a little in the latter stages of the match. Missed a great chance to put the game to bed late on.
Substitutes
KOLO TOURE (on for Sakho ’27)- 8
After a dire performance against Arsenal, Toure responded admirably with a brilliant display from the substitutes’ bench.
The Ivorian made some vital blocks and won almost everything in the air, performing excellently alongside Dejan Lovren.
RICKIE LAMBERT (on for Sturridge ’85)- n/a
Headed wide seconds after coming on, but no time to make an impact.
BRENDAN RODGERS- 8
With the 3-4-3 seemingly sussed by opponents in recent weeks, Rodgers showed guts in going with four at the back, and it paid dividends.
His in-game management was effective too, and he will be delighted that a relatively weak-looking defence kept a clean-sheet. A good night for the boss.
Referee- KEVIN FRIEND- 5
Friend is one of the worst referees in the business, and he was frustrating all evening. Time and time again he made baffling decisions, and he somehow failed to award Liverpool a late penalty after a foul on Joe Allen.
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