Player ratings: Liverpool’s 9/10 ace empties the Allianz as big-name Bayern man scores 3/10

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Liverpool are through the quarter-finals of the Champions League thanks to a 3-1 win over Bayern Munich.

After a tight opening 25 minutes, Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead with a vital own goal but Joel Matip diverted a Serge Gnabry cross into his own net to draw the home side level.

Liverpool’s place in the quarter-finals was confirmed with two headed goals in the second half, first when Virgil van Dijk headed in from a James Milner corner before Mane wrapped up the scoring.

But how did the players rate?

Bayern Munich

Manuel Neuer – 4 – Once considered the best goalkeeper in the world, the Neuer of late showed up once more, coming to the edge of his own area to try and tackle Mane when it would have been best leaving it for the Bayern defenders. Stepped up afterwards with some good saves but his night will be remembered for the mistake.

Rafinha – 4 – Had a good start to the game but struggled once Mane started going up against him, being beaten for the opening goal. Could not recover from that as Bayern struggled to control the game after half-time.

Niklas Sule – 5 – His communication with Rafinha was not good enough in the first half, resulting in big gaps being open for Liverpool’s left flank to get into. Improved after half-time with a brilliant last-ditch tackle on Salah who was looking to end the tie. Though it was in vain.

Mats Hummels – 7 – Had a very good first half in keeping Liverpool at bay and looked to be doing the same after half-time. But was beaten in the air for Van Dijk’s goal which put the tie out of Bayern’s hands.

David Alaba – 4 – Struggled once Salah started getting into the game, which also curtailed his attacking.

Javi Martinez – 7 – Sitting just in front of the Bayern defence all game, the Spaniard defended really well when called upon through the middle. Was taken off when Bayern had to, once again, chase the game.

Thiago Alcantara – 6 – Looked to control the game with his passing but was unable to push his side forward.

Serge Gnabry – 6 – Was quiet in large spells in the first half but picked him moment well just before the break, with a good run and cross which was put into his own net by Matip. Could not replicate this after half-time.

James Rodriguez – 3 – Nothing quite seems to be working out for the Colombian at Bayern and he was often the end of the home side’s attacks.

Franck Ribery – 6 – Tried to show he can still go up against the best with some driving runs, but did have a tough opponent in Alexander-Arnold.

Robert Lewandowski – 6 – Had a good battle against Van Dijk and it was his presence behind Matip which led to the German’s own goal. Ultimately struggled with the poor service from his team-mates.

Substitutes:

Kingsley Coman (for Ribery 61) – 4 – Didn’t get at the Liverpool defence as much as Niko Kovac would have hoped.

Leon Goretzka (for Martinez 72) – 5 – An attacking change as Bayern were chasing but could not do much to stop the rot.

Renato Sanches (for James 79) – N/A – A late sub.

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Liverpool

Alisson – 6 – Couldn’t do anything about Matip’s own goal and was otherwise untroubled.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6 – Had a good first half both in defence and attack but had his work cut out for him up against Alaba and Ribery. Improved slightly after half-time, though did not have too much to do.

Virgil van Dijk – 8 – Was a tough opponent for Lewandowski and showed what he can do on the ball with a raking long-pass for Mane’s opener. Rose to the occasion to put Liverpool in the quarter-finals with a powerful header 20 minutes from time.

Joel Matip – 7 – Started well but came undone just before half-time with his own goal – having already threatened to breach his own net in the first leg. Did not let this faze him with a solid second-half performance.

Andrew Robertson – 7 – Looked to get forward early on, up against Rafinha and Sule, doing well. Had a good defensive display in the first half too, before losing Gnabry for Bayern’s equaliser. Will miss the first leg of the quarter-final through injury.

Jordan Henderson – N/A – Unfortunately lasted just 13 minutes before coming off due to an ankle injury, not having enough time on the pitch to make a real impact.

James Milner – 5 – Could have done better as Liverpool struggled to keep hold of the ball in midfield, but it was his corner which saw Van Dijk give the Reds the lead.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 5 – Pressed a lot defensively, but did not do too much with the ball as Liverpool struggled in midfield.

Mohamed Salah – 6 – Actually started on left, but had just one touch in opening 15 minutes. Saw more of ball after switching back against Alaba, given the Austrian a busy night. Played a beautiful ball to Mane for the final goal.

Roberto Firmino – 6 – Had Liverpool’s first effort after 25 minutes, but it did not really trouble Neuer. Was otherwise quiet in attack as Liverpool struggled for possession.

Sadio Mane – 9 – While fingers will be pointed at Neuer, nothing should be taken away from Mane for the opening goal. The forward took the ball down well before showing calmness under pressure and squeezing the ball into the net from an unfavourable position. And he wrapped up the scoring with less than 10 minutes remaining through a good header.

Substitutes:

Fabinho (for Henderson 13) – 7 – Improved Liverpool’s midfield slightly and was the perfect defensive shield when Klopp’s men needed to hold firm.

Divock Origi (for Firmino 83) – N/A – A late sub.

Adam Lallana (for Milner 87) – N/A – A late sub.

The post Player ratings: Liverpool’s 9/10 ace empties the Allianz as big-name Bayern man scores 3/10 appeared first on Squawka News.



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