Liverpool Ratings: Nunez Leads Charge, But Reds Still Need to Find Their Groove
It wasn't pretty, but Liverpool got the job done against Newcastle. A scrappy 2-1 victory at Anfield, fueled by a goal and an assist from the electric Darwin Nunez, was enough to secure three points and keep the Reds in the hunt for a top-four finish. Let's dive into the player ratings, where some shone brighter than others...
The Stars of the Show
Darwin Nunez (9/10): Man of the match, no doubt. His movement, his power, his ability to find space and then punish Newcastle with ruthless finishing – it was all on display. He's finally starting to show the kind of impact we all knew he was capable of.
Cody Gakpo (7/10): Slowly but surely, Gakpo is finding his feet at Liverpool. He's been more confident in recent weeks, linking up well with Nunez and offering a creative spark in the final third.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10): Back to his best with a crucial assist for Nunez's opener. His crosses were dangerous, and his overall performance was solid.
The Strugglers
Fabinho (5/10): Still struggling to find his form from last season. He was caught out a few times defensively and lacked his usual bite in midfield. It's clear that Klopp needs to find a solution to this issue.
Luis Diaz (5/10): Wasn't his usual dynamic self. He tried hard, but his touches were a bit off, and he didn't make the impact we've come to expect.
Alisson Becker (6/10): Made a couple of decent saves, but he looked a bit shaky at times. He wasn't as commanding as we've seen in the past.
The Verdict
Overall, it was a performance that lacked fluency and finesse, but Liverpool got the win. That's the important thing. Nunez's brilliance was a welcome sight, and Gakpo continues to impress. However, the team still needs to find its rhythm and consistency if they're going to challenge for the title next season. This match was a reminder that there's still plenty of work to be done.