Lots of positives in this game.
Firstly, a great result and 3 points and we managed to rest Robertson and Gomez for Moreno and Lovren (no surprise that our first goal conceded at home for 8 months comes from a cross from the right and a forward getting in front of Lovren with those two on).
Fabinho is clearly being eased into this team and at least against lesser teams, he’s looking good.
Shaq is a bargain. I he can nail down that #8 spot as the season progresses, we’ll really benefit.
Finally, Salah and Mane start to work together and surprise, surprise we look a lot better. Firminho still looks a tad off the pace but that will come.
An entire week to rest and prepare for Arsenal. Should be a cracking game.
Yes, mostly, but I think you're being harsh on Moreno who had a good game.
My ratings:
Allison: 5 Nothing to do and had no chance with the goal
TAA: 6 Bit flappy at times, and Murphy had him for pace once or twice. Still think he's a midfielder in the making.
Moreno: 7 Sound, truly sound, passing down the line (where did that come from?), and a couple of solid interceptions. Barca will be getting a bargain next summer - wouldn't let him go till then. Born again hard.
Virgil; 7 Seemed untroubled until that five minute spell of theirs . Held firm. No chance with the goal. Just bad luck.
Lovren: 6 Easy time against a powder-puff attack. Still managed a couple of daft, unnecessary fouls though. He'll do as JoGo's understudy.
Fab: 8 Gave the ball away once. Apart from that, he and Windy are formed an almost telepathic understanding as a midfield two in a 4-2-3-1. Great option.
Windy: 8.5 See above. Looks really comfortable playing with his new mate.
Lalla: 6 Don't expect miracles yet. See him as Shaq's back up for now.
Mo: 7.5 Took his goal well and set up two others. Bit wasteful for the last half hour of the first half.
Bobby: 6 The effort is still there, but lost possession all over the show. Week's rest will do him good.
Mane: 7.5 Usual mixture of pace, aggression, sublime skill and occasional tripping over the ball. Took his goals well.
Subs:
Shaq: 8 I'm biased, I know. Could he eventually step into Ford's shoes? Why not - the skill is there. Terrific finish for his goal.
Milner: 6 dependable, without any inspiration.
Team: 7 Should have been, like Soton, over at Half time. That said, we didn't disintegrate when they got their LUCKY goal, as we have done previously.
Jurgen: 7 Still think he should have started with Shaqiri. Good to be able to rest JoGo and Robbo (though a bit unnecessary in my book, given we don't play for a week).