Liverpool 5-0 Swansea City: Player Ratings

Liverpool

Liverpool put Swansea to the sword with a five-star performance

Simon Mignolet: 7/10

The Belgian must have felt like this was an extended Christmas dinner for him. He hardly had anything to do barring two easy shots which came straight to him. Mignolet needed a clean sheet and he earned it to aid his confidence after THAT performance against Arsenal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: 8/10

Swansea decided to sit back and soak pressure which meant that the youngster had very less to do defensively. He joined Salah on the right at will and delivered a number of crosses in the box. Alexander-Arnold then scored a thumping goal from inside the box to score his first goal in front of the Kop.

Joel Matip: 7/10

Matip finally made a return to the starting lineup and could not have asked for a better match to make his comeback. He was hardly tested and loved to start the attacks from the back with no pressure from the opposition.

Ragnar Klavan: 6/10

The Estonian made one fine tackle on McBurnie in the first half which was the only meaningful defensive work he had to do in the game. But Klavan should recycle the ball quickly as he looked to take a lot of time on the ball on some occasions.

Andrew Robertson: 7/10

Robertson is growing in stature with every game and is helping Liverpool not to miss Alberto Moreno. The Scot linked up brilliantly with Coutinho and Firmino and was involved in the build-up to the third goal. His pressing was commendable and made life difficult for Swansea on his flank.

Emre Can: 6/10

Playing in the Jordan Henderson position, Emre Can was positioned far too deep in the first half in order to be prepared for any Swansea counter-attack. But after the restart, Can received too much time on the ball and started to influence the game by moving forward and making incisive passes.

Georginio Wijnaldum: 7/10

Wijnaldum can be said as the most underrated star of this Liverpool side. And his display against Swansea gave another glaring example of that trait. Wijnaldum did all the dirty work needed to shield his defence, pressed according to plan and kept the play ticking at all times. A crucial player for Jurgen Klopp and a fan favourite at Anfield!

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 8/10

Chamberlain scored his second league goal for Liverpool

Before he scored a delightful lob, Chamberlain's best work on the night came without the ball. He was positioned brilliantly and made a number of interceptions. Playing in midfield, Chamberlain looked lethargic at times going forward but switched gears after the hour mark. He was sharp with his passing and capped it off with a well taken precise goal.

Philippe Coutinho: 9/10

The Brazilian ran the show for Liverpool on a festive day. Coutinho scored arguably his best goal of the season, curling one from outside the box giving Fabianski absolutely no chance. His passing was brilliant as he gave an assist to Firmino for the second goal.

Coutinho's goal also had a bit of history attached to it - That goal was Jurgen Klopp's 250th since he arrived on these shores and was also scored on Coutinho's 200th appearance for Liverpool.

Mohammad Salah: 8/10

Salah did not score a goal! I repeat, Salah did not score a goal. The Egyptian talisman has always got in the thick of the action for Liverpool this campaign but could not increase his tally against Swansea.

Though he failed to find the back of the net, Salah delivered two assists, one each to the Brazilian boys to continue his dreamy run for the Reds. With Kane scoring a hattrick earlier in the day, Salah now needs to get back among the goals to return as the league's top scorer.

Roberto Firmino: 9/10

Firmino is starting to show a traditional striker's instinct by being in the right place at the right time. He scored a brace and could have had a hattrick if he was not taken off. Other than his influence in front of the goal, Firmino worked tirelessly for the team and is the team's most crucial member for ball retentions.

Substitutions

Dominic Solanke: 7/10

The youngster was unlucky not to join the goalscoring party for Liverpool. Solanke showed great understanding with Coutinho and can be said as a dangerous influence in the 18-yard box. You can sense that a league goal is coming soon for the teenage striker.

Adam Lallana: 6/10

The midfielder entered the picture when his team was leading 4-0. It gave him a license to work his way without pressure and he did that with perfection. Slowly but surely, Lallana is getting back to full match fitness and his short Swansea cameo was a fine example of his close control talents. He attempted a shot soon after his arrival but it went high.

James Milner: 7/10

The veteran replaced Robertson at left back and hardly had anything to worry about with Swansea on the back foot during his entire time on the field.