Liverpool 3-2 Atlético Madrid: Player Ratings

Starting XI

Oblak

Faced 6 shots on target and conceded thrice. The three goals he conceded were tough to save, and those that he did stop were fairly routine. Did do well, on his 500^th game for the club, to punch the ball out from a dangerous late cross. Otherwise mediocre with his passing, and the game largely passed him by. 4

Llorente

Games against Liverpool at Anfield just do not faze him. Yet another brace in this fixture, which means that four out of his seven Champions League goals for Atlético Madrid have

now come at Anfield. One of the few bright sparks in the first half, giving the Rojiblancos a chance after the poor start before dragging them level with a sweet, albeit deflected, volley. Sublime performance. 9

Le Normand

What happens to the Robin Le Normand that shows up for Spain? Another poor outing where he never looked comfortable, and he barely contested the header for Virgil Van Dijk’s winning goal. It is going to be a very long season if his performances do not improve. 1

Lenglet

Looked like he was chasing Ryan Gravenberch all game. First, he brought the Dutchman down for the free-kick leading to the 4^th minute opener – a foul he seems to concede every game. He was then late to closing him down again in the 6^th minute, allowing the pass for Mohamed Salah to slot home. Finally, he proceeded to pick up a yellow card late in the first half for a late challenge on the midfielder. With misplaced passes and cheap turnovers to add on, it would be hard to have a worse game than that.  1

Galán

If things had panned out at the end of the transfer window, the left-back could have been tasked with facing Salah at least twice a season in the Premier League. After his struggles with the Egyptian all game, you would think the Spaniard is breathing a sigh of relief since he may never have to face him again. He struggled to cope with the level of the opposition and frankly looked lost from the beginning.  1

Giuliano Simeone

Every time Giuliano steps on the pitch, he makes something happen. While he may be far from the finished product, Cholo’s youngest son brings sheer intensity and grit that keeps the Rojiblancos in games, much like it did today. Prevented Liverpool from settling even though they were two goals ahead and chipped away at their backline all game. I think it is hard to disagree that without him, Atlético probably stood no chance at getting back into the game.   7

Gallagher

May not have offered much in attack, but Conor Gallagher’s first-half performance may have been a big reason why Liverpool did not run away with the game. He made four interceptions and stifled the opposition midfield after their fast start, preventing Atleti from being piled on. Came off in the 61^st minute with the side searching for a goal. 6

Barrios

Controlled the midfield in the first half, and on the ball, he went blow for blow with Liverpool’s stars. Kept the Rojiblancos moving and helped maintain some pressure to get back into the game. His performance dropped off in the second half with cheap giveaways and misplaced passes when the side needed him to step up. 6

Nico Gonzalez

He may have been a questionable signing but the Argentine does not look to be a bad signing so far. He works hard off the ball, and while he is not a flashy player on it, he did create some opportunities and carried the ball up the field when the side needed. You would think that if he could find some chemistry with the attackers, he might turn out to be crucial this season. 6

Griezmann

The game was calling for the club’s record goal scorer to drag them back, but those days might be behind him. Had his moments and created two chances but not a single shot for the second game in a row. Not the biggest cause for concern at the moment, but the Frenchman does need to find his form soon.  5

Raspadori

The result says that he had an assist, but you would struggle to find highlights from his performance. Llorente’s brilliant finish probably saved the Italian’s blushes; yet again he was tame in attack. Tough to justify his selection when all the other attackers offer much more than he does, and in a fully fit side, Raspadori should struggle to get minutes if he continues to perform this way. 4

Substitutes:

Koke

It is always great to watch the captain play at his best, and today he did just that off the bench. Put the midfield on his shoulders and created the opening for Llorente’s second goal. You almost wish his legs were 10 years younger again. 7

Molina

Came on to allow Llorente to move into midfield. Looked a bit shaky when the young Rio Ngumoha came on but held his own and had a decent game. The dynamic with Giuliano did not work out as well as we would have liked, but no real fault with his own performance. 5

Sørloth

One of the club’s biggest weapons off the bench last year, you would expect a bit more from the Norwegian. He did press well and was the only one able to physically go up against the Liverpool CBs, but he had just one shot on target off the last touch of the game and failed to work Alisson with his header from an excellent position. 4

Pubill

Played just over 15 minutes and did okay with not much real involvement. Could be knocking on the door for a starting position soon though if the defence continues to underperform. 4