Liverpool v FC Gomel Player Ratings

If this is the football that the Brendan Rodgers era is going to usher in, then I am on board. However, we must put it all in perspective, it was against a Bulgarian Belarusian side. The football was free flowing and a joy to watch, a stark contrast to that first game against Gomel which actually made me doze off for a good ten minutes in the middle of it. There is still a long way to go, but it was encouraging. On to the ratings:

STARTERS:

Reina - 7 - Fought off one hard shot in the first half and another long range effort. Some good footwork as usual, sometimes too good as he makes me very nervous sometimes.

Enrique - 7 - Slightly wasteful in the first half a couple of times, but defended solidly. He was responsible for springing the attack on the first goal with a fantastic ball down the line.

Skrtel - 6 - Too many unnecessary, clumsy challenges for my liking. He was decent, but must cut this out. Better sides will make us pay for this over the top physical play.

Agger - 7 - Did well defensively and also looked to spring forward. To be fair, the defense didn't have a ton of defending to do.

Johnson - 8 - I guess we have to take the good with the bad. What an absolutely stunning volley. He was very dangerous pushing forward, but also got caught out a few times when he prematurely conceded possession. Overall, I like how he gets forward, he just has to make sure he doesn't concede possession cheaply in Liverpool's half when he does so. Perhaps BR wants him to be more dynamic and push forward to make a more fluid line up and supplement the midfield hoping the remaining three can hold up play long enough to recover.

Downing - 7 - Quite lively. Beat his defenders to the touch line on a number of occasions (yes, you read that right) to put in crosses.

Shelvey - 5 - He looked a bit lost and I am already tired of his rash dangerous challenges.

Gerrard - 9 - Just fantastic from Captain Fantastic. He, Borini and Suarez appear to already have a decent understanding. Did well to get in position to score and was pulling the strings somewhere on nearly ever positive attacking play.

Lucas - 7 - Did well. That said, with Liverpool pressing so high, he didn't have much chance to significantly influence the outcomes as he might have in most games.

Borini - 8 - Superbly taken goal on the volley. He always looked a danger and played with his head up. He and Suarez appear to be on the same page and that is fantastic for the future. Let's hope this same one-two football can be played against better opposition.

Suarez - 9 - I read a comment on twitter that Suarez could nutmeg a mermaid. I'm beginning to believe that is true. He was everywhere, had a hand in every goal and Gomel had absolutely no answer. His play with Gerrard was reminiscent of the Gerrard and Torres partnership of a few years back. Now BR needs to make sure he doesn't wear him out. Who knows how many he could have had if the linesmen knew what they were doing.

SUBS

Carragher -6 - Not a lot to do in his cameo appearance.

Adam - 6 - His first touch and pass was fantastic and then he put in a good, and legal, tackle. What more do you want from him? Oh yeah, hold onto the ball while in possession.

Spearing - N/A - Not enough time.