Football News: Liverpool player ratings v Bolton

Image from: thepremierleagueowl.com

After some of the shocks in the FA Cup yesterday, it is hard to be too harsh on Liverpool, following their 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers, but really it is a game that they should be winning. Looking at the players, it is hard to understand what Rodgers was thinking. He had been saying that Rossiter would be involved, but he never got a look in, which is worrying. If he isn't going to get a run out against a team from the division below, when will he be trusted to play?

Simon Mignolet - clearly his confidence is returning, he is no longer just looking to hit it long the second it goes back to him. He was sweeping behind the backline and even dribbling the ball out. I do like that in a keeper, I just hope he keeps it going and any mistakes, which he will make as even the best sweeper-keeper Grob made mistakes, do not cost too much. The way Liverpool play, he needs to be able to do this, so well done for last night, keep it up and you can hold onto your place in the long term.

Glenn Johnson - why? That is all I have to say. Not that it really mattered last night, as Bolton were so deep and defensive, but Johnson is positionally inept at right back, at right centre back he is even worse. He takes up a position which is halfway between the two stools of right back and right centre back, which is worrying. When he strolls forward, which I have no problem with him bringing the ball out from the back when the opportunity presents, he is far too slow to get back. Though that is not the main issue, which is why put him in at all? We know what Johnson can do, and how poor he is, he is not a centre back, so playing him there is an experiment, but it is a pointless experiment. Where are the youth centre halves? Surely one of them could have had a run out, or just kept the same back 3 as the previous match and allowed them to continue to grow their understanding. Instead a midfielder, in Can, gets moved to an even more unfamiliar position to accomodate playing a right back out of position.

Emre Can - I feel sorry for this lad, though he had a decent game, he looked a little out of his comfort zone and it would have been a worry if the Trotters had been more attack minded. Already playing out of position in the defence, now he is playing a different role in it, making it more difficult for him to grow into his position. Playing in the centre of the three makes it much more difficult for him to stride out with the ball from the back, which is one of the best features of his play back there.

Mamadou Sakho - Sakho was put under a bit more pressure than the rest of the defence, as almost everything Bolton tried to do came down that side of the pitch, but it was not really enough to judge him. The few times he was put under pressure he stayed calm, but he did take some unneccesary risks in tight situations. He is looking stronger and faster as the season goes on, which enabled him to take those risks as he was physically a level above a Bolton team that relied purely on their physicality to keep them in the game.

Javier Manquillo - every time I watch him I am reminded of Glenn Johnson. They both have plentiful ability, they both look to get forward at every opportunity, but both have no thought behind their runs and both lazy when it comes to working back. For me there is one moment that summed up his performance though, he was caught stood still watching the ball, but he was able to dive in front of the Bolton defender and nip the ball off his toe inside the box and then wasted an easy chance to score. That is him in a nutshell for me, mentally asleep but still gets the ball presented to him on a plate and then fluffs it. Simply not good enough as a player. Far too often he is just stood watching the game in positions that make it almost impossible for team mates to give him the ball.

Jose Enrique - I can only repeat what I said about Johnson, why? Why is he even in the squad? He never communicates with his team mates, beyond a shrug after wasting possession once again through sheer stupidity. He offers pace and power, but has no idea how to use them. Offered nothing in terms of attacking threat and less in terms of defensive ability. Another wasted possibility for a youngster to get a game, as they could not possibly offer less to the team.

Joe Allen - it is not that he is a bad player, or that he had a bad game, but I just fail to see the point in playing him last night. He offers nothing in terms of physicality, when Bolton play a very physical game under Neil Lennon, he lacks mobility and his vision is just not good enough to make up for that. Defensively he is often left stranded, due to his lack of mobility opposition teams can play round him and he struggles badly to get back. Luckily there was never any pressure on him defensively as Bolton were happy to sit back in midfield, but he offered nothing in terms of creativity. Of all the places that Rodgers should have given a youngster a chance, this was the one that really would have made the most sense.

Jordan Henderson - never under pressure defensively, so was able to break forward at will, despite not having the comfort of Lucas next to him for most of the game, and looked good for it. He is growing as a player, especially since being handed the armband on a regular basis, he is really beginning to look like a leader. Having said all that, he did not have the best of games last night. Yes, he did lead the team well, but his dead balls were truly awful. Yes he broke forward well, but he lacked creativity and his finishing is still poor. We need to see more from him in games like this.

Adam Lallana - had an off game last night, looked really rusty. Worked hard but did not play well. Needs more games to meld with Coutinho and Sterling properly.

Philippe Coutinho - struggled a bit last night, ended up playing as a left winger for long periods due to the lack of anyone else providing the width on that side. Needs runners and movement to play the ball to, last night that was lacking in long periods of the game, as Enrique and Manquillo offered little movement. When Markovic came on, he was clearly not happy on the left and was always looking to move inside, which forced Coutinho to provide the width. The way we set up was not conducive to his game, especially with Bolton sitting so deep.

Raheem Sterling - he is just not a striker. He is much better running from deep, like his goal against Chelsea showed. He is also not a right wing back, it doesn't suit him as he works too hard at being defensively disciplined, when his strengths are all attacking. His work rate was good, he just needs to learn to vary what he does by looking to pass more often and shoot a little less. He will get a lot more space to take more shots in future if defenders are unsure what he is going to do. Right now they know to just get close and block the shot that is coming.

Lazar Markovic - came on at half time for Jose Enrique and at least offered movement and work rate. Left wing back is not his position though, he always cuts inside looking to use his right foot, which is a major issue for a side relying on the wing backs for the width.

Lucas Leiva - replaced Joe Allen and immediately made me feel better, suddenly it felt like we weren't in danger of conceding on the break and the only question was whether we would win it or Bolton would hold on for a draw. It did look like Bolton mentally conceded they were playing for a draw once he arrived. He didn't really have a lot to do defensively and did hit a few shots, but never looked like scoring.

Fabio Borini - replaced Javier Manquillo and worked hard but offered little. Never got into the game really as Bolton's packed defence gave him no space or time.

Brendan Rodgers - chose an odd team, failed to give Rossiter a run out, despite stating prior to the match that he would do, but he did bring off the right players. Also it was good to see him being decisive at half time and hooking Enrique. Though it must be said, it was a ludicrous decision to start with him. A mixed game for him, still needs to figure out how to set out a team to break down a packed defence, still needs to realise Johnson and Enrique are simply not up to the job and still needs to stop playing people out of position. Also, less talk, let the team do the talking on the pitch, please.

Written by Tris Burke January 25 2015 05:57:18