It wasn’t a dominating performance, nor could it be described as a particularly pretty performance. But regardless of how it looked, Liverpool was able to come away with a huge 3-0 victory at Southampton to improve their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to nine games running.
Here are the individual ratings:
GK: Simon Mignolet 9/10
The game got hectic for Liverpool after taking their 1st half lead. Mignolet handled the pressure impressively, making a couple big saves and coming out well on aerial balls played into the box, securing a clean sheet.
LB: Glen Johnson 6.5/10
It was hard going for Johnson who is still getting back into the swing of things.
CB: Daniel Agger 9/10
Agger was solid once again, helping to hold together the defense and absorb some Southampton flurries.
CB: Martin Skrtel 9/10
This was a good showing for Skrtel coming off of his abhorrent performance last week against Swansea. He handled pressure well and kept things tidy alongside Agger.
RB: Jon Flanagan 7/10
While it wasn’t a brilliant performance from Flanagan, he did hold his own out on the pitch by contributing a solid work rate and making enough plays to keep the Saint’s off the score sheet.
CDM: Steven Gerrard 8/10
The skipper had a decent performance despite some confusion between him and the center backs with defensive responsibilities. Gerrard did find Suarez with a precise through ball that set up the crucial second goal and put away a penalty for the third.
RM: Jordan Henderson 7/10
Henderson had a bit of a letdown after the huge game he had against Swansea, squandering a couple good opportunities in the attack.
LM: Joe Allen 7.5/10
Allen was given the starting spot to provide more of a defensive presence in the midfield, like he did coming off the bench last week. He helped tighten things up a bit and was able to support Johnson on the left side sufficiently.
CAM: Phillipe Coutinho 6/10
Coutinho never really found the game and was held in check.
RS: Daniel Sturridge 7/10
His scoring streak ended in a not quite on the mark outing that typified the feel of this match.
LS: Luis Suarez 9/10
What slump? Suarez was a persistent nuisance for Southampton and had his fingerprints on all of the Liverpool goals. He tallied one goal, one assist, and drew a penalty kick in an active performance.
Substitutes:
CAM: Raheem Sterling 8/10
With what might very well have been his touch in the game, Sterling made an impact by tucking away the second goal, giving Liverpool some needed breathing room in the 2nd half.
Takeaway:
The ugly victory revealed a lot about Liverpool’s character, as they were able to pull off a 3-0 victory on the road, despite being on the back heel for much of the contest and not looking clean going forward. They took care of business in the first of a three-match road run that takes them to Old Trafford next in two weeks.
