Sorry for the delay in posting my popular and sought after ratings and match review. This was due to being totally fucked after a weekend away.
But what a great result and match to make me feel better! I was pleased to see both Lucas and Firmino not play, even if the ongoing presence of the hapless Origi is painful for any Liverpool fan. All that matters is the result at this stage of the season. That's what they say. More accurately, all that matters is the result at ANY stage of a season, but it's still nice to get (an undeserved) clean sheet, and a nice plus 4 in the GD column.
We've already discussed most of the major talking points, but obviously the majesty of Coutinho and the much-missed movement and instincts of a genuine striking talent in Sturridge were highlights. The opening 30 minutes were quite dreadful, with slow minds and slow movement causing problems, especially down our left. But after the miraculous double miss from Ayew, West Ham disappeared and Coutinho ran amok, scoring and creating chances almost at will.
If we play like that against Boro at Anfield, we will be Top 4 no problem.
Mignolet (7) Seemed more or less in control of his area, made some good clearances and catches, and one or two decent saves. Still kicks like he's got polio.
Clyne (6) Zipped up and down with his usual energy and alacrity, and didn't waste possession much, although that was largely because he played it safe, short and simple.
Lovren (6) Hard to rate, as ever. If you look at moments there's often some good stuff: a series of good clearing headers and some impressive blocks and tackles. But he was left looking gormless for the amazing double-miss, as the ball just hit him, and then he stood gawping at it while Ayew had two goes at scoring, luckily missing both the useless twat.
Matip (6) Seemed less busy than Lovren, although that's partly a consequence of different playing styles, but what he had to do was done unfussily, with the usual grace and deceptive speed. Has got a head like a fucking fifty pence piece though, as demonstrated in their box, as he fucked up two chances.
Milner (4) This was not a game he will look back on with much fondness personally. He was very ponderous when attacking, and seemed to run out of energy, ideas and options, with some very poor passing and control. He was just about OK defensively, after a poor opening 15 minutes, but overall this was a poor display.
Can (7) Impressive display from a deeper position in a more holding role, Can was disciplined and careful in his passing and positioning, giving us a good platform to play on. There's still the issue of his inelastic movement at times, when he can be caught out by sharp acceleration and change of direction, but he's a far superior player to Lucas
Coutinho (9) You can't really ask for more. Coutinho revelled in the space and time a slightly more central and "traditional" midfield starting position afforded him. West Ham's deficiencies notwithstanding. His head was always up and he had plenty of willing runners and clever movement to aim for, especially Sturridge, who he duly picked out for the opening goal. Then he simply took West Ham to pieces, with his movement, calmness and dazzling quick feet way too much for them to cope with, as he scored twice and looked capable of more.
Lallana (6) Got forward a bit more in his advanced role, and was his usual energetic box of tricks, but didn't create anything of note and was only a peripheral threat.
Wijnaldum (6) Carried on his recent form in the first half, with an insipid shithouse display, but really perked up once we were ahead, finding lots of space and seeing plenty of the ball. One casually smacked volley looped onto the bar, and a scuffed mishit even allowed Origi to score. Was like a cat playing with a ball of string at the end.
Sturridge (8) His sharp and instinctive movement caused havoc, as Sturridge gave an extended reminder of the player he used to be. He made good runs, found space, was always moving and looking for chances to get a shot away, or create a chance for someone else. Insouciant finish for the goal, and even showed what looked a bit like his old pace once or twice.
Origi (5) Extra point for the goal, which was stabbed in from close range. This time, his typical flatfooted lack of movement and anticipation actually helped him score it, because when the shot was spooned towards him, everyone else was already moving to where it should have gone, apart from Origi, who was standing still in the box like a spaz. He was actually much improved in the second half, after a first half display that was witless and gutless, as he shied away from any physical confrontations.
But what a great result and match to make me feel better! I was pleased to see both Lucas and Firmino not play, even if the ongoing presence of the hapless Origi is painful for any Liverpool fan. All that matters is the result at this stage of the season. That's what they say. More accurately, all that matters is the result at ANY stage of a season, but it's still nice to get (an undeserved) clean sheet, and a nice plus 4 in the GD column.
We've already discussed most of the major talking points, but obviously the majesty of Coutinho and the much-missed movement and instincts of a genuine striking talent in Sturridge were highlights. The opening 30 minutes were quite dreadful, with slow minds and slow movement causing problems, especially down our left. But after the miraculous double miss from Ayew, West Ham disappeared and Coutinho ran amok, scoring and creating chances almost at will.
If we play like that against Boro at Anfield, we will be Top 4 no problem.
Mignolet (7) Seemed more or less in control of his area, made some good clearances and catches, and one or two decent saves. Still kicks like he's got polio.
Clyne (6) Zipped up and down with his usual energy and alacrity, and didn't waste possession much, although that was largely because he played it safe, short and simple.
Lovren (6) Hard to rate, as ever. If you look at moments there's often some good stuff: a series of good clearing headers and some impressive blocks and tackles. But he was left looking gormless for the amazing double-miss, as the ball just hit him, and then he stood gawping at it while Ayew had two goes at scoring, luckily missing both the useless twat.
Matip (6) Seemed less busy than Lovren, although that's partly a consequence of different playing styles, but what he had to do was done unfussily, with the usual grace and deceptive speed. Has got a head like a fucking fifty pence piece though, as demonstrated in their box, as he fucked up two chances.
Milner (4) This was not a game he will look back on with much fondness personally. He was very ponderous when attacking, and seemed to run out of energy, ideas and options, with some very poor passing and control. He was just about OK defensively, after a poor opening 15 minutes, but overall this was a poor display.
Can (7) Impressive display from a deeper position in a more holding role, Can was disciplined and careful in his passing and positioning, giving us a good platform to play on. There's still the issue of his inelastic movement at times, when he can be caught out by sharp acceleration and change of direction, but he's a far superior player to Lucas
Coutinho (9) You can't really ask for more. Coutinho revelled in the space and time a slightly more central and "traditional" midfield starting position afforded him. West Ham's deficiencies notwithstanding. His head was always up and he had plenty of willing runners and clever movement to aim for, especially Sturridge, who he duly picked out for the opening goal. Then he simply took West Ham to pieces, with his movement, calmness and dazzling quick feet way too much for them to cope with, as he scored twice and looked capable of more.
Lallana (6) Got forward a bit more in his advanced role, and was his usual energetic box of tricks, but didn't create anything of note and was only a peripheral threat.
Wijnaldum (6) Carried on his recent form in the first half, with an insipid shithouse display, but really perked up once we were ahead, finding lots of space and seeing plenty of the ball. One casually smacked volley looped onto the bar, and a scuffed mishit even allowed Origi to score. Was like a cat playing with a ball of string at the end.
Sturridge (8) His sharp and instinctive movement caused havoc, as Sturridge gave an extended reminder of the player he used to be. He made good runs, found space, was always moving and looking for chances to get a shot away, or create a chance for someone else. Insouciant finish for the goal, and even showed what looked a bit like his old pace once or twice.
Origi (5) Extra point for the goal, which was stabbed in from close range. This time, his typical flatfooted lack of movement and anticipation actually helped him score it, because when the shot was spooned towards him, everyone else was already moving to where it should have gone, apart from Origi, who was standing still in the box like a spaz. He was actually much improved in the second half, after a first half display that was witless and gutless, as he shied away from any physical confrontations.
