Liverpool 0-3 West Ham United - Player ratings
Slaven Bilic’s Hammers trounced Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield in a historic win. This was West ham’s first win at Merseyside since 1962/63 season. Goals from Lanzini, Noble and Sakho were enough to drub the Reds in their own den.
The game had its share of drama as Phillipe Coutinho and Mark Noble saw red, resulting in both the sides being reduced down to 10 men. It was a sublime game for West Ham as they outmuscled and outwitted Liverpool in all the departments. They replicated the same form which gave them a historic victory at Emirates. Here are the player ratings from the game.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 5/10
The Belgian keeper was left for the dead by his fellow defenders. He got little or no support from his defenders as he chipped in three goals in this crushing defeat. He could’ve saved a couple of them, but it wasn’t his day today.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
He was the only bright spark in this stormy noon at Anfield. He excelled in the second half when he played as a wing back but he ran out of steam as the game wore on and hence was caught out of position more frequently in the latter stages of the match.
Dejan Lovren – 6/10
The former Saints defender is continuing his Merseyside nightmare as once again he failed to live up to the expectations. Barring a few tackles, he was simply pedestrian for Brendan Rodgers’ team.
Martin Skrtel – 6/10
The leader of this Liverpool defense was left for the dead by the high-pressing West Ham frontline. He buckled under the pressure quite often. On contrary he looked more settled in the second half when Liverpool reverted to a back three. Yet it wasn’t a typical Skrtel performance to say the least.
Joe Gomez – 6/10
The young defender has been impressive this season. And the young Englishman showed his versatility today as he slotted in as left-sided centre-back in second half. He was strictly average today but things look bright for him at Anfield.
James Milner – 6/10
The leader of the new-look Liverpool side was bulldozed in the midfield by West Ham. He missed the youth of Jordan Henderson as Lucas was unable to cover him whenever he ventured forward. Like others, he too looked more settled once Liverpool reverted to a five-man midfield.
Lucas Leiva – 6/10
He is now Liverpool’s grand old man and it was evident today as he was brushed aside by the youth and energy of Cheikou Kouyate and Dimitri Payet. All in all, it was a forgetful day for the Brazilian midfielder.
Emre Can - 5/10
The German midfielder was shambolic in the first half. He was caught out of position far too often and also his mishandling of possession was suicidal for Liverpool as the Hammers hit them hard on the counter.
Roberto Firmino - 6/10
The former Hoffenheim star was quite off the pace as he is still trying to find his feet into the Premier League. His initial exuberance got dull with each passing moment due to the lack of support from his teammates.
Christian Benteke – 6/10
The Belgian forward was tightly marked by the duo of Ogbonna and Reid. Reid especially, didn’t give any space to the Liverpool hitman as they negated his presence in the game with ease. Benteke was by far one-dimensional and struggled throughout the game as he was famished for the service from his creative midfielders.
Phillipe Coutinho – 5/10
The Brazilian attacker was totally shambles and his red card summed up the day for him. He tried for the spectacular at every possible chance and undid a lot of good work from his teammates. It was a sorry day for the Liverpool’s magician.
Subs
Alberto Moreno – 7/10
He provided Liverpool with the much-needed width in the second half. The Spaniard was impressive in second half and also contributed in defense at every possible opportunity.
Danny Ings – 6/10
The 22-year-old is still trying to settle down at Anfield. He struggled to read his team’s play. He made couple of incisive runs but failed to make any impact.
Jordon Ibe – 5/10
It was a blink and a miss cameo from the Melwood product. The Englishman tried to take on a few West Ham defenders but was unsuccessful then as well.
West Ham United
Darren Randolph – 7/10
The second choice keeper filled in well for the regular keeper Adrian, who is serving his suspension. He looked confident behind his defense and marshalled his defence with some authority.
James Tomkins – 7/10
He did well to push Liverpool into centre by intensely pressing Liverpool’s false wingers. He also chipped in and contributed in attack when Liverpool was down to 10 men in the second half.
Winston Reid – 8/10
He absolutely bullied Christian Benteke in the 16-yard box. He didn’t give the Belgian any room to maneuver and also matched him aerially when Liverpool resorted to pumping the ball in the box. It was a super game for the Premier League veteran.
Angelo Ogbonna – 7.5/10
The new boy played an able sidekick to Reid and was solid in his tackling. He kept the threat of Danny Ings at bay late in the second half. It was solid game for the Italian centre-half.
Aaron Cresswell – 7/10
He was West Ham’s best player last season and today he was one of the most effective players. He provided West Ham with the necessary width which troubled Liverpool throughout the game.
Cheikou Kouyate – 8/10
He was the lynchpin of this bombing Hammers midfield. He simply blew away Liverpool in the middle of the park with his dynamism. It was by far his best performance in a West Ham shirt.
Mark Noble – 7/10
West Ham captain did everything he could possibly do in a football match. He did his job in the midfield, he scored a goal and he also saw a red card. If we discard the red card then he was the real force behind this West Ham onslaught. Alas! Some stories do have a tragic end.
Pedro Obiang – 6/10
The third member of this West Ham’s midfield powerhouse contrarily had a subdued game when compared to his fellow mates from Peckham. But he did his job without any flashiness but today he had an opportunity to do a lot more.
Manuel Lanzini – 7.5/10
What a debut for the West Ham loanee! The Al-Jazira man was pivotal in Slaven Bilic’s high-pressing tactic as he relentlessly harassed the Liverpool centre-halves. He looks like a shrewd signing by the initial looks of him.
Diafra Sakho – 7.5/10
He worked tirelessly with Lanzini in troubling the Liverpool defence. And he was rightly rewarded with a late goal. It was a fruitful day for the Senegalese international.
Dimitri Payet – 7/10
Last season’s most creative player in Europe was somewhat subdued today. He did his bit by offering presence in the midfield but somewhat sacrificed his creativity, to a certain extent. He could’ve easily got a goal and a couple of assists if only he had been more respectful of the chances that came his way.
Subs
Recce Oxford – 6/10
The hero of Emirates was called into the action as Mark Noble was sent off. He followed his manager’s instructions to the tee and saw his team through with a cleansheet.
Matt Jarvis – N/A
Played barely 6 minutes; didn’t have enough impact on the game.
Josh Cullen – N/A
Came into the dying seconds of the game; didn’t have enough impact on the game.