Liverpool Player Ratings vs Exeter City
Liverpool booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup with a comfortable win over Exeter City in the replay. The Reds were held to a 2-2 draw in the reverse tie 12 days ago but decided to play with a similar youthful lineup.
Liverpool dominated the early proceedings and god work by Brad Smith and Christian Benteke led to Joe Allen scoring. The Reds then had to wait in the second half before winning the tie and finishing the opposition with goals from Sheyi Ojo and Joao Teixeira.
The next game for the Reds in the competition is a home game against West Ham, who had already done the double over them in the league this season. Liverpool though are unbeaten in cup competitions and will hope for a run all the way to the finals this season.
We look back at the game and share the player ratings for the Reds.
Simon Mignolet -7/10
The Belgian didn’t have to do much in the first half and made just one save from a header in the second. He can celebrate a new contract with a clean sheet but it will be tougher games for Simon in the coming days.
Connor Randall – 7/10
The youngster did well in the first half for Liverpool and was replaced by Jon Flanagan at the start of the second half.
Tiago Ilori – 8/10
The first half was an easy one for the Portuguese but he had to deal with a lot more in the second half and had some important clearances for Liverpool.
Jose Enrique – 7/10
Enrique was good in defence and didn’t have too many mistakes in the second half for the Reds.
Brad Smith -9/10
Yet another brilliant display by the Australian, Smith created the first goal for the Reds. He should be knocking on the door of a first team appearance with this performance.
Cameron Brannagan – 7/10
Cameron was strong in the middle of the park for Liverpool, nothing too flashy but got the job done.
Kevin Stewart – 6/10
Stewart didn’t have the greatest game and made a couple of mistakes which could have proved costly for Liverpool.
Joe Allen – 7/10
Joe Allen got on the score sheet once again and could have done more but should be pleased with his overall contribution and will hope to start for the Reds in the weekend.
Jordon Ibe – 7/10
The Englishman’s delivery has to improve but he did hit the crossbar in the second half and had a couple of decent chances to give Liverpool the second goal.
Joao Teixeira – 7/10
Teixeira had a lot of wonderful flicks and tricks during the game and got Liverpool’s third goal set up by Benteke to cap of a great night for the youngsters/
Christian Benteke – 8/10
The big Belgian couldn’t get a goal but his overall play was good. He had a big part to play in Liverpool’s first and third goals, and should be pleased with his performance.
Substitutes:
Jon Flanagan -6/10
Liverpool fans must be happy seeing the youngster back and Flanagan got a good 40 minutes to perform at the top level.
Sheyi Ojo – 6/10
The youngsters came on in the second half and scored Liverpool’s second goal to calm some nerves.
Pedro Chirivella – 5/10
The Spaniard came on in the second half but didn’t really have much to do.