Player Ratings: Salah Shines as Liverpool Secure Victory Over Lille | OneFootball

Liverpool 2 – 1 Lille – Champions League Player Ratings

The Champions League came roaring back into midweek life with an intriguing encounter between Liverpool and an in-form Ligue 1 outfit, Lille.

The lineup and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Alisson Becker – 7.0

The brilliant Brazilian was largely anonymous for the opening thirty minutes before he took command of his penalty area to claim a cross and create a foul for his side.

After the restart, the former Roma man was helpless to stop the equalizer as his teammates failed to deal with a ball sent into the box.

Conor Bradley – 7.0

The Irish superstar started with ambition and awareness in equal measure, as he looked to support all those around him with intelligent positioning.

In the second half, the young fullback was more adventurous and blazed a shot come cross over the bar from the angle. Another good showing.

Subbed – 84 mins

Kostas Tsimikas – 7.0

The Greek international fullback was keen to offer balance between defence and attack in the early stages, as the hosts looked to figure out the best means of offence. After winning the ball inside his half, the breakaway was created which led to the opening goal.

After the halftime break, the popular defender was nearly able to assist with a well-taken free kick, which Jarell Quansah headed just over. A solid performance.

Jarell Quansah – 7.0

The England under-21 defender was steady and combative, with a desire to cover incoming counterattacks with good positional sense.

In the second half, the strapping defender was unlucky not to score his side’s second goal, as he rose brilliantly to glance a header over the bar from a well-taken free kick. Overall, a very good display.

Virgil van Dijk – 8.0

The captain and leader of this team was authoritative from the outset and produced a well-timed header to halt an early attack. A powerful and calming half of commanding defensive play from the legend of Anfield.

In the second period of the game, the former Celtic man was unlucky not to avert the Lille equalizer, as a moment of indecision cost him a clean sheet. Very good result and a fine captain’s performance.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.0

The Hungarian midfielder was keen to use his powerful running to instigate attacks, though the resolute opposition was able to cut out avenues with a defensive strategy.

After the break, the former RB Leipzig star was energetic before leaving the field.

Subbed – 64 mins

Curtis Jones – 8.0

The former England under-21 captain was energetic and looked to control possession from the opening bell. A pair of very good long-range through balls followed one another, with the second meeting Mohamed Salah perfectly, before he was able to slot the ball home.

Subbed – 45 mins

Ryan Gravenberch – 7.0

The Dutch international was effective and bright early on as he took on the role of shield in front of his defensive line. A good half of the play before departing the field.

Subbed – 45 mins

Luis Díaz – 7.0

The Columbian attacker started with urgency and missed a couple of early chances to attack the Lille goal. A quick breakaway allowed the winger to fire a cross across the face of the goal, however, the awkward height of the pass was too much for Mohamed Salah to handle.

After the restart, the former Porto man was effective and a willing runner as the alterations started to affect the game state.

Subbed – 72 mins

Darwin Núñez – 7.0

The Uruguayan forward started as the central striker, using his power and speed to create an outlet and support his midfield in behind.

After the halftime break, the former Benfica man was alert to spring an attack that did not come to fruition. More power running and chaos were evident within a solid second-half showing.

Mohamed Salah – 8.0

The Egyptian International started with a direct nature as he tested the keeper with a curling effort from the angle. Following a poorly taken set piece the record-breaking scorer nearly met a drilled cross into the box, however, the awkward height of the ball was too much to make contact. Fortunately, another Curtis Jones through ball was met by the 32-year-old and he was able to strike beyond the onrushing keeper to open the scoring. An outrageous opportunity was missed just before halftime, as he controlled the ball and edged away from his marker, before sliding the ball just wide.

After the intermission, the former Roma star was quiet compared to his first-half exploits, until a surging and mesmerizing run into the box ended with his low right-footed shot being saved by the opposing keeper.

Substitutions;

Alexis Mac Allister – 7.0 (on 45)

Came on to add control.

Harvey Elliott – 7.0 (on 45)

Came on to score a well-timed goal.

Wataru Endō – 8.0 (on 64)

Came on to add a defensive resilience.

Federico Chiesa – 7.0 (on 72)

Came on to add more venom.

Trent Alexander Arnold – 6.0 (on 85)

Came on to add experience.

The Manager;

Arne Slot – 8.0

The Dutch manager was keen to field a strong starting eleven, as rotation was limited to only a few rested assets.

The halftime substitutions were a considered effort to preserve players for the weekend visit of Ipswich Town, with later alterations being undertaken to suit the changing game state.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction;

Liverpool 3 – 1 Lille