Liverpool are through to the Champions League semi-finals.
Jurgen Klopp’s side beat Manchester City 2-1 on the night and an impressive 5-1 on aggregate. Here’s how we rated the Liverpool and City players on the night.
Manchester City – (Rated by Matt Gault)
Ederson – 5
While some Liverpool fans wanted the goalkeeper to be sent off for shoving Sadio Mane after his challenge on Otamendi, a yellow card was the correct decision. However, the City keeper did not enjoy his finest game, being rounded by Salah as the Egyptian scored the equaliser. There was a suggestion, too, that he could have done a bit better with Roberto Firmino’s effort.
Kyle Walker – 5
The former Spurs man had virtually nothing to do in the first half but was at fault for Liverpool’s second, losing out in an aerial battle to Firmino.
Aymeric Laporte – 5.5
The Frenchman was shown a clean pair of heels by Mane a few times and, although he came close to scoring a consolation goal from distance, the expensive centre-half was unable to stop Salah and Firmino dashing City’s European dreams.
Nicolas Otamendi – 4.5
The Argentine will not want to see his contribution for Liverpool’s second again, dithering on the ball before hitting it against Firmino, allowing the Reds forward to go and finish City off with a composed finish. Otamendi was also outfoxed by Salah, who dinked the ball over him for the equaliser.
Fernandinho – 6
The midfielder did brilliantly to create City’s opener, slicing the Liverpool defence open with surgical precision to find Sterling. The Brazilian also drove a decent effort wide when City were dominating in the first-half but was unable to stop Mane in the build-up to Salah’s equaliser. Had Salah not scored, the referee may well have awarded a penalty for Fernandinho’s challenge on Mane.
Kevin De Bruyne – 7
Ran the show in the first-half, picking Sane and Sterling out at ease. At times, the Belgian rampaged on the break and was unlucky not to have been awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position after being bundled over by the already-booked Firmino. Like several of his teammates, De Bruyne faded as the game wore on and it became increasingly clear that City’s race was run.
David Silva – 6.5
The Spaniard played some lovely angled passes early on but played one behind Sane at a crucial time that would have seen City go two up. Silva was replaced by Aguero in the 66th minute.
Bernardo Silva – 6
The Portugal international didn’t enjoy his finest hour against Manchester United on Saturday but was much more effective here, linking up well and Sterling on numerous occasions before rattling the post with a ferocious left-footed strike, which skimmed Dejan Lovren’s head and had Karius beaten. If that had gone in, the tie may well have gone City’s way.
Leroy Sane – 6
Always involved. With De Bruyne and David Silva enjoying plenty of time and space in the centre, Sane was a willing outlet on the left and caused Alexander-Arnold plenty of problems. The speedy winger was hugely unfortunate to have a goal chalked off for offside but the consensus seems to be that it should have stood as the ball came off Milner before it reached Sane.
Raheem Sterling – 5.5
Immediately had joy in finding pockets of space in between van Dijk and Robertson. To devastating effect, too, as Sterling found Jesus for the opening goal after two minutes. However, the winger was unable to hurt his former side after that and looked a defeated figure in the second half as Liverpool rallied for the victory.
Gabriel Jesus – 5.5
With Sergio Aguero on the bench, the Brazilian got City off and running at the first attempt, sweeping home a confident finish after being teed up by Sterling. It was a crucial early contribution but was ultimately in vain.
Subs
Sergio Aguero – N/A
Ilkay Gundogan – N/A
Liverpool – (Rated by Robert Redmond)
Loris Karius – 6
He could do little about Jesus’ goal and wasn’t tested too much after that.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5
The young defender once again matched Leroy Sane, showing admirable discipline not to pick up a second yellow after going into the book after half an hour. Alexander-Arnold read the game well, making a couple of key interceptions and standing up well to the challenge of Sane, particularly in the second-half. He has really proved his quality over the two legs.
Dejan Lovren – 7
He has plenty of critics, but Lovren rarely put a foot wrong across the two-legs.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
This shouldn’t happen:
Souness on Van Dijk: "He's appealing for the foul before the push."#TV3UCL pic.twitter.com/KJKgxVNrZo
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 10, 2018
Van Dijk appealed for a foul rather than playing to the whistle following an altercation with Raheem Sterling in the opening minutes of the match, and City scored from the breakaway. The defender improved after that, leading Liverpool defence as City laid siege to their goal in the first-half, making several clearances.
Andrew Robertson – 6.5
His natural attacking instincts were curbed in the first-half as Liverpool clung on as City produced wave after wave of attack. However, Robertson had no problem helping out with the dirty side of the game, making several clearances.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7
Struggled against the brilliant De Bruyne in the first-half but improved after the break, and rarely misplaced a pass. A solid performance at the base of midfield.
James Milner – 7
A calm, disciplined, intelligent display from a very good player. He’ll be key for Liverpool in the semi-finals.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7
Made some dangerous runs forward in the first-half and was positive in possession, fizzing the ball into Mane’s feet before Liverpool’s goal. He appears to be improving with every game he plays in Liverpool’s midfield.
Sadio Mane – 7.5
Played a key part in Liverpool’s goal, knocking the ball through Laporte’s legs and running directly at City’s defence. Mane was a threat throughout, completing several dribbles and looked to link with Salah and Firmino when possible.
Mohamed Salah – 7.5
Liverpool’s most dangerous player look short on fitness in the first-half, which wasn’t a surprise considering he was an injury doubt ahead of the match. Salah didn’t appear to be his usual explosive self and was largely poor in possession, misplacing almost half of his passes in the first-half. However, he showed his class with a fantastic finish in the second-half, calming dinking the ball into the net to settle the tie.
Roberto Firmino – 7.5
Nicked the ball off Otamendi and stayed calm to put the ball beyond Ederson and put Liverpool in the semi-finals. The Brazilian forward was on the edge of the game, but he worked hard and dropped deep to help when Liverpool were under pressure.
SubsÂ
Ragnar Klavan, Nathaniel Clyne & Danny Ings – None of Liverpool’s subs were on long enough to be rated.
