Liverpool player ratings: Curtis Jones outstanding all over pitch vs Chelsea but Dominik Szoboszlai flatters to deceive
LIVERPOOL picked up a big 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield to remain top of the Premier League.
The Reds registered their first victory against a team currently occupying the top half of the Prem table.
That was a major statement for the Merseysiders’ manager Arne Slot, whose team now stands a point ahead of Manchester City and four away from third-placed Arsenal at the top.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring a minute before the half-hourmark from the penalty spot.
But Chelsea hit back just three minutes into the second half with Nicolas Jackson.
However, Liverpool picked up the three points thanks to Curtis Jones’ winner just three minutes later.
But how did each Liverpool star far? Check out Ken Lawrence’s player ratings below for more:
CAOIMHIN KELLEHER – 5
For the Kop – and no doubt secretly for boss Arne Slot – still surely lacking a top keeper’s presence.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 5
Didn’t look entirely comfortable throughout especially in the face of Malso Gusto’s first-half raids.
IBRAHIMA KONATE – 5
Caught napping by Nicolas Jackson’s run three minutes into the second half for Chelsea’s equaliser.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK – 7
He has his assassins back home in the Netherlands but again showed imperious defensive abilities.
ANDY ROBERTSON – 6
The Scotland captain is often praised more for his attacking qualities than his defensive ones, but goodness me – what a brilliant last-second block.
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RYAN GRAVENBERCH – 7
Only played 12 games in Jurgen Klopp’s final season but showed again why he’s now an automatic choice for Slot.
CURTIS JONES – 9
Outstanding all over the pitch, won one pen when it should have been two, plus grabbed a poacher’s winner.
DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI– 5
Again suggested he flatters to deceive, too often playing at a slower tempo than those around him.
MOHAMED SALAH – 7
What’s left to say about Anfield’s Egyptian king and his ultimate cool shot from the spot?
DIOGO JOTA – 4
Forced off after playing in pain after Tosin Adarabioyo hauled him to the deck early on.
CODY GAKPO – 5
Flitted in and out of the action, the Dutch wide man didn’t look that shocked to be replaced.
SUBS
DARWIN NUNEZ (for Jota 30) – 5
Still a work in progress, says Slot – but working much harder off the ball.
LUIS DIAZ (for Gakpo 65) – 5
Ever-willing to shows that feisty left-sided pace of his.
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER ( for Curtis Jones 81) 5
Ill in midweek but as the Argentine always does, got stuck in.
JOE GOMEZ (for Trent Alexander-Arnold 81) – 5
A few welcome minutes for the defender now down the pecking order.