I'm not sure if this thread exists and I'm just blind, or if the general chat is in the Klopp thread, but anyway, here's the always enjoyable ratings.
The game itself was a microcosm of our frailties, strengths and ongoing worries about Klopp's ability to build a team capable of winning the title. Does he have the required pragmatism? Because without the untold riches available to Guardiola at Abu Dhabi FC, we're going to need it.
Plenty of rotation, as several first team players sat this one out, and a new-look midfield was tried, but the formation looked skewwhiff, with Milner drifting very wide and Can dropping deep, leaving the middle of the pitch uncontested at times.
We had lots of possession and had a lot of shots, but too many were from distance, and once again the profligacy up front was costly. But we didn't need a top striker, just like we didn't need a DM, or two new CBs, or a new goalkeeper. Burnley deserved their draw, and stay above us in the league table with a goal difference of +1 to our zero.
Mignolet (7) The hokey-cokey nature of Klopp's goalkeeping selection saw Mignolet return, and to nobody's surprise at all, concede a goal. Wasn't his fault, and he claimed a couple of high balls well, although was left all at sea for a couple of corners and was grateful to Matip for a clearance off the line.
Alexander-Arnold (4) At fault for the opener and weak in the air all game, he was a liability in defence and mediocre in attack.
Matip (5) Another Keystone Klopp comedy defensive routine for the first goal, crashing into the hapless Binman to allow Arfield to score. Great save from off the line to prevent what would have been a winning goal for Burnley, but he's far too timid and weak in his challenges, for all his eye-catching football in possession
The Binman (4) Trundles about the box crashing into players like a possessed bumpercar. Made some good aggressive interceptions, but is too error-prone and clumsy.
Robertson (7) The best of the defenders, which is hardly much of an accolade, but he was busy, tidy, kept mistakes to a minimum and while he didn't seem to get that many crosses in while attacking, he showed signs of a decent level of competence, which is rare in a Klopp defence.
Can (6) Dropped deeper than usual in Henderson's absence, and there were times that his oil tanker mobility looked more obvious than normal. Got the ball forward well on occasion, helping create the equaliser, but scrappy on and off the ball and needed to be calmer and more authoritative.
Milner (6) Created two or three very good chances which were wasted, and was pretty solid, although he kept wandering far too wide. Decent enough.
Coutinho (6) There were several flashes of his quality, with a few turns and swerves into space that left Burnley gasping, but he was very wasteful with the ball, hoofing several long shots into the crowd, and not creating enough.
Sturridge (6) Not ever going to be the player and threat he was, with the electrifying pace and acceleration a distant memory, but his movement was still clever, and he crafted a few decent half-chances and openings, but only made the keeper save once.
Firmino (5) Some decent early workrate coughed up possession, but didn't create much at all, and never really threatened to score. He isn't suited to playing wide really, for obvious reasons.
Salah (8) In Mane's absence, easily our best player and biggest goal threat. Relentless effort, blistering pace and a constant menace, he scored the goal and probably should have had a penalty too. Has had a quite brilliant start to his Anfield career.
The game itself was a microcosm of our frailties, strengths and ongoing worries about Klopp's ability to build a team capable of winning the title. Does he have the required pragmatism? Because without the untold riches available to Guardiola at Abu Dhabi FC, we're going to need it.
Plenty of rotation, as several first team players sat this one out, and a new-look midfield was tried, but the formation looked skewwhiff, with Milner drifting very wide and Can dropping deep, leaving the middle of the pitch uncontested at times.
We had lots of possession and had a lot of shots, but too many were from distance, and once again the profligacy up front was costly. But we didn't need a top striker, just like we didn't need a DM, or two new CBs, or a new goalkeeper. Burnley deserved their draw, and stay above us in the league table with a goal difference of +1 to our zero.
Mignolet (7) The hokey-cokey nature of Klopp's goalkeeping selection saw Mignolet return, and to nobody's surprise at all, concede a goal. Wasn't his fault, and he claimed a couple of high balls well, although was left all at sea for a couple of corners and was grateful to Matip for a clearance off the line.
Alexander-Arnold (4) At fault for the opener and weak in the air all game, he was a liability in defence and mediocre in attack.
Matip (5) Another Keystone Klopp comedy defensive routine for the first goal, crashing into the hapless Binman to allow Arfield to score. Great save from off the line to prevent what would have been a winning goal for Burnley, but he's far too timid and weak in his challenges, for all his eye-catching football in possession
The Binman (4) Trundles about the box crashing into players like a possessed bumpercar. Made some good aggressive interceptions, but is too error-prone and clumsy.
Robertson (7) The best of the defenders, which is hardly much of an accolade, but he was busy, tidy, kept mistakes to a minimum and while he didn't seem to get that many crosses in while attacking, he showed signs of a decent level of competence, which is rare in a Klopp defence.
Can (6) Dropped deeper than usual in Henderson's absence, and there were times that his oil tanker mobility looked more obvious than normal. Got the ball forward well on occasion, helping create the equaliser, but scrappy on and off the ball and needed to be calmer and more authoritative.
Milner (6) Created two or three very good chances which were wasted, and was pretty solid, although he kept wandering far too wide. Decent enough.
Coutinho (6) There were several flashes of his quality, with a few turns and swerves into space that left Burnley gasping, but he was very wasteful with the ball, hoofing several long shots into the crowd, and not creating enough.
Sturridge (6) Not ever going to be the player and threat he was, with the electrifying pace and acceleration a distant memory, but his movement was still clever, and he crafted a few decent half-chances and openings, but only made the keeper save once.
Firmino (5) Some decent early workrate coughed up possession, but didn't create much at all, and never really threatened to score. He isn't suited to playing wide really, for obvious reasons.
Salah (8) In Mane's absence, easily our best player and biggest goal threat. Relentless effort, blistering pace and a constant menace, he scored the goal and probably should have had a penalty too. Has had a quite brilliant start to his Anfield career.
