It's "only" the League Cup, but where there is football, there will be RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRatingssssssssss!!!!!!!!!
We won with a very, very "ressies" line-up, only Milner and Gomez are really that close to being proper first XI players, with support from Lallana, Chamberlain, Lovren and Keita, and a generous helping of youngsters. MK Dons did threaten more than once or twice, with our keeper called into action in the later stages of the game, but overall we certainly deserved the victory. It was, however, a mixed bag on the performance front.
Kelleher (7) ~Missed one ball in, but otherwise did well, and looked confident. Two good saves later on will please him and his manager.
Hoever (7) Did well enough defensively, even if he was less than assured in the attacking part of the pitch. But scored a lovely thumping header, so an extra point for you my lad!
Lovren (5) Really wobbly start and looked like he'd been taken out of a leaky garden shed after a year, clanking about and blinking in the glare of the lights. But he did get better and threw himself in front of a goal-bound shot later on to preserve the clean sheet. But would not be happy with him starting.
Gomez (6) A couple of moments when he seemed out of position, and was beaten for skill once or twice, but we also saw glimpses of that smooth, Rolls Royce acceleration as he swooped in to win possession and stride away. Getting back to his best, but I still don't want him at full-back.
Milner (9) Man of the Match. Scored one (bit lucky, but he hit it hard), made the other, and generally bossed affairs in that granite-like Milner way, while giving away nothing defensively. Brilliant.
Lallana (5) Hmm. If we're scoring him as a holding midfielder, then probably a 4, as he simply has zero fucking defensive awareness, but he kept the ball moving well, and he produced a few lovely passes and the usual clever use of space and close control. Can he play as the deepest midfielder in the league? Hmm. Nah, not on this evidence.
Keita (5) Some nice touches here and there, but still looks as if he's expecting a monster to pop up out of a trapdoor on the pitch at any moment, he's so tentative. Made a few forward runs, but as usual overran the ball and lost possession. But he was still quite busy and bright in flashes, even if his overall contribution was ordinary.
Chamberlain (5) Made a couple of bursts forward and one vicious shot struck a post, but he spent most of the game wandering about, as if unsure where he was supposed to be, or where to run. He'll need to improve a lot to get back into the team, as there wasn't enough end product or brains on show here. Mediocre.
Jones (6) Pretty good, considering his age and experience, he worked hard, showed a few touches of neat skill, and wanted to test the keeper. Nothing amazing, but decent showing.
Elliot (8) Now this is how to make an impression. Quick, aggressive, lovely touch and some great vision. He looked like he belonged and totally outshone the £90m pairing of Keita and Chamberlain. Should have scored though, as his finishing let him down. And he's so one-footed it's laughable.
Brewster (4) Just couldn't get involved. Made some runs, but they got wider and wider as he tried to find space, and he was barely a threat. One glimpse of speed and skill was all there was. And that's not enough. Poor.
