In light of their recent struggles with injuries, the 2-2 Draw at Exeter City was an impressive performance by the young guns of Liverpool. While many youngsters had a very fruitful outing, the senior members of the playing 11 had a night to forget.
Adam Bogdan – 3
The game against Exeter extended Bogdan’s run of horrific outings after the Watford game. The Hungarian was often out of his depth despite being one of the senior players in the starting 11 and let an Innocuous looking Corner from Lee Holmes find the back of the net.
He does not inspire any confidence in to the defence and Klopp would be best served if he signs a player who can either give Mignolet a run for his money or even usurp him.
Connor Randall- 5.5
Every time Randall has featured, his defensive inefficiencies have been on show for everyone. He did not feature too well against Exeter failing to stop crosses and often getting caught out of position gifting the opposition a chance to have a go at the under manned Liverpool defence.
Tiago Ilori-6
The Portuguese centre-half had a decent outing despite missing in action since a long time. He lent a massive presence in the air winning duels and was tidy on the ground too. He did look rusty towards the end of the game due to the lack of match practice and with the injury situation not improving any time soon, Ilori will need to work on his match fitness to have meaningful outings against better teams.
Jose Enrique-4.5
If you thought that this game would be the game Enrique turns his career around, you were in for a major disappointment. The Spaniard looked shaky and didn’t lend any assurance to the back line with his positioning. While that might be pointed to him being played out of position, even his passing was wayward, gifting the ball away time and again during the 90 minutes.
Brad Smith- 7
This could well turn out to be the year in which the Australian full-back makes critics and fans sit up and notice the skill he possesses. He followed up his league cup performance against Southampton and Europa League game against Sion with another impressive performance, even going on to bag the all important equaliser that saved his side the blushes.
Cameron Brannagan- 6.
It was a decent outing and a huge learning experience for the young midfielder. He was often seen breaking play but failed to create something. All in all he went about his duties and would benefit immensely from extended game time in the competition, no matter how far Liverpool get.
Kevin Stewart- 5
The 22 year old was wayward with his passing and failed to impress in what was only his first outing at any level in five months. The former Tottenham Hotspur player will need to prove his mettle in the short time afforded to him to ensure Klopp doesn’t ship him out soon and the game against Exeter feels like a wasted opportunity.
Ryan Kent- 7
The youngster was one of the brightest spots of the evening, hardly putting a foot wrong throughout his 57 minutes on the pitch. The recalled youngster definitely has a place in Klopp’s plans and it was not too difficult to see why. He showed a great set of feet and looked the most creative player of his side and should find more game time easy to come after this outing.
Joao Teixeira- 7
The Portuguese attacking midfielder was yet another player who continues to impress to salvage his career at Anfield. He was the side’s creative force alongside Kent and put in another tireless performance ensuring he did his share of dirty work in the middle of the park.
Jerome Sinclair- 6.5
Sinclair had a night to remember scoring his first ever goal in a Liverpool shirt with a well taken shot. However, he failed to link up with Benteke and had no other remarkable moment throughout the game.
Christian Benteke- 3
We fail to understand the economics of Football. Rewind a few years and Liverpool signed a silky forward from Atletico for a price that was less than the £32.5 million they shelled out for Benteke. Yet, the Belgian doesn’t look even a fraction of Fernando Torres and had another dismal performance against Exeter. That he wore the captain’s armband further infuriated as he does not even deserve to be in the starting line-up on current form, let alone leading the side out.
Substitutes
Pedro Chirivella- 5
He did ok but he was very untidy with his passing and irrespective of the bundle of the talent he is, should he not get the basics right, he would not find a place in Klopp’s plans.
Sheyi Ojo- 7
After his short spell last evening, it was not hard to see why he was recalled from his loan to Wolves, effortlessly skipping past opponents and playing a very critical role in the equalising goal for his side.
Joe Maguire- 6
The 19 year old did ok coming on for Ilori in the closing stages of the game.
