Player ratings as Manchester United send Liverpool crashing out of the FA Cup
Jurgen Klopp made three changes to the Liverpool side that faced Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa League to face Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals at Old Trafford.
Conor Bradley made way for skipper Virgil van Dijk in the lone change in the backline. Alexis Mac Allister also started the game, taking the place of Bobby Clark in the XI. The frontline saw Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez retain their places in the XI, with Luis Diaz coming in for Cody Gakpo on the left wing.
After a dull half an hour or so, Liverpool got back into the game to score two immediate goals. Here are the match ratings for the Liverpool players.
Caoimhin Kelleher 7/10
Couldn’t do much about the first goal, should’ve done better for the second, considering it was such a poor shot from Antony. Did not have loads to do in extra time and on the one occasion he could have done something, the backline didn’t give him much time.
Joe Gomez 6/10
Not the greatest of games for Joey. Kostas Tsimikas replaced him 10 minutes into extra time.
Jarell Quansah 6/10
Very easy on the ball, was a major part of the first goal Liverpool scored and stood strong more often than not.
Virgil van Dijk 7/10
Usual Virgil van Dijk performance. Just played his natural game bar that one moment when he could have helped Endo out in the passage that led to United’s second equaliser.
Andy Robertson 7/10
Plays as if he has a battery fit in his calves. Running around here, there and everywhere. Managing minutes is necessary. Was replaced by Conor Bradley in the 76th minute.
Wataru Endo 6/10
Seemed a bit out of place early on, but came into his own eventually. However, did not mark his man well enough and let Antony score to bring Manchester United back into the game.
Alexis Mac Allister 8/10
Decent positioning throughout the first half. Stitched a few important passes to create chances in the opening few minutes. Took his goal well and played a major part for Liverpool to maintain control of proceedings in the middle of the park.
Dominik Szoboszlai 7/10
Excellent at recycling possession. His performance against United was better than his other recent games. Still could do a whole lot better. We’re yet to see the best of Szobo.
Luis Diaz 8/10
Vice-captain Chaos. He is capable of bringing trouble to any full-back, and it was Diogo Dalot’s turn tonight. Shame there wasn’t a goal or an assist to warrant his above-average performance.
Darwin Nunez 7/10
Captain Chaos. Two first-half Liverpool goals and Darwin was at the centre of both. Passed it to Alexis for the Argentine to score. Took a shot at Onana which landed at Salah’s feet eventually. Very clumsy of him to let go of possession which Manchester United made the best use of to score their third goal.
Mohamed Salah
Lacked offside awareness in the early moments of the game, but this young player can surely become a huge player for Liverpool. Showed composure to score his first goal after Onana parried away a shot from Darwin which eventually came to Salah. Came off for Cody Gakpo in the 77th minute.
Substitutions
Adrian San Miguel
Unused substitute.
Cody Gakpo 6/10
Came on for Mohamed Salah in the 77th minute. A presence in the frontline. Took the centre-backs out of position on a few occasions but failed to create any other substantial impact.
Harvey Elliott 7/10
Came on for Szobo in the 72nd minute. If there was any player, any player across the 22 on the pitch who deserved to score a goal. It was Harvey Elliott, albeit a huge deflection. The player has been putting in strides left right and centre across multiple positions and has done exceedingly well. Sad that it could not count for anything.
Kostas Tsimikas
Came on in minute 101. Did little to warrant a rating.
Bobby Clark
Came on for Luis Diaz in the 113th minute.
Conor Bradley 6/10
Assisted Harvey Elliott’s goal off the bench. Semi-decent performance.
