Player Analysis: Liverpool 5–0 Swansea City

Liverpool

Simon Mignolet – 6

Had to wait until the 93rd minute to make his first meaningful save – had a couple of easy stops to make in the first-half.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8

Scored his first Premier League goal with a thumping strike – became more and more involved in Liverpool’s attacks and showed great athleticism when controlling the ball.

Joel Matip – 7

Led the Liverpool defence well to deny Swansea space when the visitors enjoyed spells of possession during the first-half.

Ragnar Klavan – 7

A comfortable evening for the defender who had very little to deal with – did put his body on the line to block a rasping McBurnie strike.

Andrew Robertson – 7

Once again produced a steady performance and played some superb raking cross-field passes.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7

Completed the scoring in style and continues to find his place in the Liverpool ranks.

Emre Can – 7

Attempted to get Liverpool going when their play slowed – shook off a first-half injury scare to play a key role in building Liverpool’s attacks in the second-half.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 6

Started the game in a passive manner but became more dominant as the match progressed – occasionally lacked attacking composure.

Mohamed Salah – 8

Failed to add to his goal tally but was at the heart of Liverpool’s best play and contributed with two smart assists.

Philippe Coutinho – 9

Opened the scoring in sensational style, and then laid Liverpool’s second on a plate for compatriot Firmino.

Roberto Firmino – 8

Was a constant thorn in Swansea’s defence, scoring twice in the process – could have had three if he hadn’t missed a sitter at the end of the first-half.

Swansea City  

Lukasz Fabianski 5

Made saves to prevent Liverpool in the first-half but was let down by his defence and he was a mere spectator as Liverpool ran riot.

Martin Olsson – 5

Didn’t venture forward much and was pushed back by Salah and Oxlade-Chamberlain from whom he blocked a late goalbound effort.

Alfie Mawson – 6

Was caught out by a long ball over the top in the 58th minute as Fabianski saved from Salah – did little to stop Liverpool in the second-half.

Federico Fernandez – 5

Dealt with the balls in the air but desperately struggled when Liverpool played with pace around the Swansea defence.

Kyle Naughton – 6

Did offer Swansea an outlet on the right when Swansea had their infrequent spells of possession – was unable to limit the impact of Coutinho.

Roque Mesa – 5

Creditably always looked forward rather than back but struggled to have much influence in the middle of the pitch – was substituted in the second-half.

Wayne Routledge – 5

Did venture forward and produce deliveries into the area on occasions but rarely were they of any quality.

Leroy Fer – 4

Was overran in the middle of the pitch and didn’t produce enough of an attacking threat

Tom Carroll – 4

Was barely noticed.

Jordan Ayew – 4

Was on the floor as Coutinho scored his opener after the referee rightly waved play-on – was also guilty of spurning the few opportunities Swansea had just before the break.

Oliver McBurnie – 5

Performed admirably well in an isolated role for his first Premier League game – although he was given limited service, home supporters applauded when he went off which says a lot.

Oliver Miller

FoL's Matchday Correspondent @oliver_miller

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