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Sparks Fly as Attacking Stars Return in Valentine’s Day Lovefest - Player Ratings by Joel Tracy

You really shouldn’t have, Liverpool. Really, you guys are too good to me. So thoughtful Philippe, for you to eschew errant, audacious potshots in favour of masterful, audacious passing. How gallant of you, Daniel, to turn up to join your Brazilian mates for the long-awaited debut of an attacking menage a trois.

 

Roberto, you’ve outdone yourself with a blend of insatiable work rate and creative verve. Emre, your tireless pressing and classy finish stole my heart, while Divock Origi joined in on the fun, coolly finishing a breakaway before being accosted by a clearly lovestruck supporter in the away end.

 

Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno got in on the action with positive play down the flanks, while James Milner combined nicely with his more celebrated attacking partners, before and after kissing the net with an unorthodox goal off a free kick. And just when I thought Cupid was all out of arrows Kolo Toure - Kolo Toure! - nodded home an inviting Jordan Henderson corner to seal the lovefest for the ebullient Reds.

 

Villa, admittedly, were woeful but a Liverpool side that has made a habit of dropping points to cellar-dwellers will take heart in an emphatic display. The Top Four appears to be out of reach, but with a cup final and the knockout stages of the Europa League approaching, Jurgen Klopp may find his trademark glasses, for the first time since his arrival on Merseyside, coloured with a more than a hint of rose. Hopefully this time the Reds can buck their trend of following attacking outbursts with a string of offensive ineptitude.

 

Simon Mignolet: 7 Given very little to do, thanks to his side's dominance in possession and the impotence of the home side's attack. Came out for a couple decent clearances and made a nice save to deny the hosts an opener, though on another day he could have been punished for a slight spill of a Villa effort inside the box.

 

Nathaniel Clyne: 8 Got forward to good effect down the right, putting in a few dangerous crosses and nearly getting off a left-footed shot from inside the area. Initially denied after being sent through on goal in the second half and found his tenacity rewarded, knocking into the net from the ensuing scramble. 

 

Kolo Toure: 7 An untroubled outing at the back for the Ivorian, who punctuated the rout with a free header from Henderson's corner.

 

Mamadou Sakho: 7 Like his defensive partner, Sakho was given very little to do, while being given plenty of time in possession. Took care of the ball and avoided costly mistakes. 

 

Alberto Moreno: 7 The much-maligned fullback got forward well to combine with Coutinho down Liverpool's left. Put a few crosses into good areas, though he's yet to quite get on the same wavelength with Liverpool's runners.

 

Emre Can: 8 A powerhouse performance. Keyed Liverpool’s dominance in midfield, shielding the defence and leading the Reds’ press. Showcased the vast range of his potential on his goal, when he hounded Villa into conceding possession before firing into the bottom corner from outside the box.

 

Jordan Henderson: 7 The skipper, clearly eager to link up with an impressive array of attacking players sought to find runners early and often, though his accuracy, particularly in the first half was far from his usual standard. Work rate and movement were typically good, and he teed up Toure with pinpoint delivery from a corner.

 

James Milner: 7 The oft-criticized "boring" Englishman proved yet again to be most effective when serving as a piano-carrier for an attacking cast of virtuosos. Supported Clyne well down the right, while his movement, work rate and tidy passing were influential throughout.

 

Roberto Firmino: 9 The Brazilian looked comfortable in a central attacking role, dropping deep to link play and working hard out of possession. Helped create goals for both Can and Clyne, while it was his hustle that kept play alive for Coutinho to draw the foul that led to Milner's free kick goal. 

 

Philippe Coutinho: 9 Liverpool's little magician has endured a troubled campaign, but he was back to his best in orchestrating the visitors' attack. Must have been licking his chops at the prospect of runners ahead of him, and the Brazilian did not disappoint, with his cross to Sturridge and throughball to Origi the headliners in a creative masterclass.

 

Daniel Sturridge: 8 Opened the scoring with a cool headed finish to calm Liverpool's early nerves. Was relatively quiet from there on, but the impact of his presence and movement on the side is undeniable. Did fairly well to track back in his own half at times. 

 

Substitutes:

 

Divock Origi: 7 Displayed the composure that has so often eluded Christian Benteke as the younger Belgian coolly slotted past Bunn when put through almost immediately after coming on. 

 

Kevin Stewart: 6 Rewarded for his FA Cup performances with a second half cameo and brought some added solidity to midfield.

 

Christian Benteke: 5 It's no coincidence the visitors' attacking rhythm ground to a halt upon his introduction-although much of Liverpool’s attacking impetus had waned by the time he was introduced. At risk of losing the #2 striker role to Origi.

 

Joel Tracy

@RambleOnReds


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