Burnley 1-2 Liverpool: Player Ratings

Liverpool

Simon Mignolet – 6

Some Liverpool fans would deem Simon Mignolet guilty for letting the ball bounce in his 6-yard box for the Burnley equaliser and their criticism would be justified. While not tested for large durations, he had his fair share of nervy moments on the ball and this performance is perhaps another indication that Liverpool need to sign a replacement at the earliest.

Joe Gomez – 5

Gomez was deployed in the unfamiliar left-back role against the Clarets and it would be fair to say that he struggled. He was guilty of giving away the possession on numerous occasions and looked nervy even while defending. Add to that his inability to track the run of Gudmundsson for the host’s equaliser and you can understand his poor rating. Not a lot was expected from going forward and all in all, it was a performance that the young English defender would not be proud of.

Ragnar Klavan – 7

Klavan stole the limelight with a vital last-minute winner to help his side eke out a vital win away from home. However, he looked comfortable through large durations of the game, on and off the ball and is establishing himself as a vital backup option for Klopp.

Dejan Lovren – 8

Yes, there were moments in the game where Lovren looked out of position and susceptible to a defensive error. However, the Croatian put in a decent performance at the defensive end of the pitch, making several vital interceptions and tackles to ensure that the chasing the Burnley side could not find a way in until very late in the game. He played a crucial part in his side’s winner as it was his header that Klavan guided home.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5

Alexander-Arnold was another Liverpool defender who had a poor game. He gave away the ball far too easily and his crossing was rather ordinary until his cross found its way to Sadio Mane for Liverpool’s opener. He went close himself with a superb effort from the right but that was perhaps his last attacking contribution in the game.

Emre Can – 7

The German was at his industrious best yet again as he kept a check on the Burnley midfield with a mix of tackles, interceptions, and blocks. On an evening where the Burnley midfield looked the hungrier, Can was the only Liverpool player who brought some bite to the middle of the park.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 5

What is it with the Dutchman and away games? Wijnaldum yet again went missing in an important away game as he was largely restricted to being a spectator. While he did clock a passing accuracy in excess of 90%, there were a lot of sideways and backward passes and he looked bereft of ideas going forward.

Adam Lallana – 6

Lallana started his first Premier League game of the season and going by his showing, he will soon find his place on the Liverpool bench. Yes, there were the odd moments of silky brilliance that has often been associated with him but the English international was guilty of spending too much time on the ball and often slowed down Liverpool’s attack.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7

The former Arsenal man is proving to be an astute buy by Jurgen Klopp with every passing week. He was Liverpool’s most enterprising player on the evening with his ability on the ball and pace off it. His distribution of the ball was good and he came close to scoring in the 2nd half. However, it was his perfectly weighted free-kick that found Lovren for Liverpool’s winner.

Sadio Mane – 7

It had largely been a frustrating evening for Mane until the 61st minute. The Senegalese attacker looked a shadow of himself until the clock struck the hour mark as he was isolated going forward and found very little support from his teammates. However, he did make amends for a rather pedestrian first half with a sublime effort in the 61st minute to give his side the lead.

Dominic Solanke – 6

The young English striker was afforded only his 3rd start in the Premier League and while he was a bundle of energy every time his side got hold of the ball, he received very little creative input and that hurt his chances of finding the back of the net.

Substitutes

Roberto Firmino – NA

Firmino was brought on for Sadio Mane as Liverpool looked to consolidate their lead.

James Milner – NA

Milner replaced Lallana in the 85th minute.

Joel Matip – NA

The Cameroonian was brought on for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the final minute of the game.