Ryan Gravenberch awful, Van Dijk only 7/10: Liverpool player ratings v Newcastle
Ryan Gravenberch flopped big time as Liverpool lost 2-1 against Newcastle in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side looked off it from the first whistle as they struggled to get a hold of the game and it paid Newcastle dividends as they took the lead through Dan Burn just before half-time.
Liverpool showed no signs of improvement after they came for the second half and were soon punished by Alexander Isak, who doubled the lead in the 52nd minute.
The Anfield outfit threw the kitchen sink at it in a bid to orchestrate an unlikely comeback, bringing on the likes of Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa.
Chiesa gave the Reds a ray of hope with a goal in added time, but it was ultimately of no use.
Here, Liverpool News rates each player out of 10.
Caoimhin Kelleher – 5
Produced a couple of fine saves, but couldn’t do anything to deny the two Newcastle goals.
Jarell Quansah – 5
Quansah would have preferred another game to deputise for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
Ibrahima Konate struggles for Liverpool
Ibrahima Konate (Off for Curtis Jones 56′) – 4
Slot would have certainly wanted more from the Frenchman. A game to forget for him.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Van Dijk dominated Isak in the first half and is perhaps the only Liverpool player who can not be ashamed of his performance.
Andy Robertson – 5
Slot would have liked to see a bit more character and involvement from one of his most experienced players.
Ryan Gravenberch (Off for Federico Chiesa 74′) – 3
It was another lacklustre performance Gravenberch. It is evident that he is fatigued, and needs rest.
Alexis Mac Allister (Off for Cody Gakpo 67′) – 5
Was guilty of letting Burn have a free header for his goal, although he shouldn’t have been given that task in the first place.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 4
Like Gravenberch, he seemed to be too tired to create any sort of impact from that advanced midfield position.
Mohamed Salah invisible
Mohamed Salah – 4
Salah was missing for Liverpool in a big game once again.
Luis Diaz (Off for Harvey Elliott 74′)- 4
Diaz struggled to cause any sort of trouble from the left-hand side.
Diogo Jota (Off for Darwin Nunez 56′) – 4
Hardly any influence on the game, with a lack of service from his teammates not helping his cause.
| Minutes | Accurate Passes | Touches | Big Chances Missed | Successful Dribbles | Duels Won |
| 56′ | 4/10 | 16 | 1 | 0/1 | 2/5 |
Substitutions
Curtis Jones (On for Konate 56′) – 5
Tried to make an instant impact as he drew a big save from Nick Pope minutes after coming on.
Darwin Nunez (On for Jota 56′) – 5
Cody Gakpo (On for Mac Allister 67′) – 5
Harvey Elliott (On for Diaz 74′) – NA
Federico Chiesa (On for Gravenberch 74′) – 6
Gave Liverpool hope with his late goal.