By Press Association
Here’s how the players rated in Liverpool’s win over Manchester United at Anfield today.|
Liverpool
Alisson Becker: Had long spells with little to do but made the saves when called upon. 7
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Had quiet periods but his deliveries were typically excellent, particularly for Van Dijk’s goal. 7
Joe Gomez: Calm and composed, restricting United’s opportunities. 6
Virgil Van Dijk: As commanding and influential as ever and claimed the crucial opening goal. 8
Andy Robertson: Made some good challenges and found freedom out wide to provide some good balls. 7
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Played a brilliant pass for Wijnaldum’s disallowed goal and tested De Gea with a fierce shot. 7
Jordan Henderson: Quick to seize possession, pushed forward and hit the post with a thumping shot. 7
Georginio Wijnaldum: Broke up a number United attacks, showed some exquisite touches, pushed forward and was unlucky to have a goal chalked off. 8
Mohamed Salah: Put in a hard-working shift and passed up one great chance with an uncharacteristically poor touch but his persistence finally yielded a goal late on. 7
Roberto Firmino: His first touches and vision were outstanding, repeatedly troubling United with his trickery. 8
Sadio Mane: Proved a handful and pounced on a few on mistakes, but his finishing was lacking. 7
Substitutes:
Adam Lallana (for Oxlade-Chamberlain, 66): Struggled to get himself into the game. 5
Divick Origi (for Firmino, 83): Did not get an opportunity. 5
Fabinho (for Mane, 83): Ensured Liverpool held on on his return from injury. 5
Manchester United
David De Gea: Made one good save from Mane and had no chance with Van Dijk’s header but was lucky to win a foul to have Firmino’s goal ruled out. 6
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Did some good defensive work and was prepared to get forward but his crossing was disappointing. 6
Victor Lindelof: Van Dijk’s goal was one of a number of awkward moments but he provided good cover when Maguire went forward. 6
Harry Maguire: Given a hard time at set-pieces early on by Van Dijk but gave the United defence some strength. 6
Luke Shaw: Coped well in a relatively unfamiliar role as a left-sided centre-back and had some good touches. 7
Brandon Williams: An energetic presence on the left, had some good tussles with Liverpool’s forwards. 7
Nemanja Matic: Blocked off some Liverpool attacks but was better passing the ball than running forward with it. 6
Fred: A poor touch almost proved costly early on and his influence was fitful. 6
Andreas Pereira: Threatened only sporadically and missed a glorious chance to score from close range. 6
Daniel James: Looked lively in the early stages but Robertson dealt well with him thereafter. 6
Anthony Martial: Kept the Liverpool defence on their toes but spurned one good chance after doing a lot of hard work. 7
Substitutes:
Mason Greenwood (for Williams, 74): Brought on to add an edge to the attack and was unlucky when a Martial cross just eluded him. 5
Juan Mata (for Pereira, 74): Hoped to unlock the Liverpool defence but the hosts held out. 5
Diogo Dalot (for Shaw, 87): His freshness proved vital in stopping a late Henderson charge. 5