Champions League Group Play: Atletico Madrid 2 – 3 Liverpool – Player Ratings
What a bunch of diving, wenging, dirty cheating c*nts, Atletico are. But what do you expect from a team managed by a man ripped straight from a James Bond script.
Player Ratings
Alisson – 7
Very likely won the points outright. A series of insanely brave charges out to close down oncoming attacks. Pawed out some dangerous shots, held onto it when he needed to. The full arsenal despite the scoreline.
TAA – 5
Another match where he struggled against an overloaded side. Did well with the physicality of Atletico and it was one of his lofted balls in that led to the game-winning pen so it wasn’t all bad.
Matip – 6
Surely that’s Lemar impeding/offside for the opener. Either way it was a very back-against-the-wall scramble for much of the first half. Looked legged. Which makes sense ‘cause he’s played loads.
VVD – 5
No one covered themselves in glory defensively but this was probably the biggest example of the contrast between pre-injury and post-injury. The quick-twitch stuff isn’t back which makes every small error magnified. Got turned a couple times in bad spots and wasn’t able to recover, which feels weird to see.
Robbo – 5
Looks like he generally does when he plays 8 matches in two weeks. Tired.
Henderson – 6
Far from his best. Uncharacteristic turnovers in bad spots, erratic in distribution. Feels like a bit of a broken record, but another one who just looked gassed after 20.
Milner – 6
See: Henderson.
Keita – 6
As they say in Merseyside, got diddled. For both goals, really. And that’s Naby in a 45-minute nutshell. Capable of moments of brilliance sprinkled into fairly consistent sub par defending. Especially when taken off the dribble. Scores bangers though, doesn’t he?
Sadio – 5
Ghosted through much of that game. Which in all honesty, was better than fearing that one of those Atleti c*nts would lop him off at the knees.
Bobby – 6
Inconsistent final ball, but was largely our best defender on the day. Did well dropping back late and providing the critical linkup. Bonus point for letting a Frenchman boot him in the head.
Salah – 7
The entire world knows not to let Mo turn inside onto his left. And he does it anyways. Ice cold on the pen. He is a killer.
THE SUBS
Ox – 6 (‘63)
Thought he was much better than his normally shiney shite substitute appearances. Provides a direct, long-range threat from the mids, so here’s to hoping for more of that.
Jota – 6 (‘63)
Does well to get into a position to earn the pen. Then goes down the other end and puts the referee’s life in a precarious position. Watched that replay loads. Not a pen. Oldest trick in the attacking book. Shocked the ref had the stones for that overturn though.
Gomez/Neco (N/A)