Swansea 2 Liverpool 2: Player ratings from a thrilling draw

Swansea City

Michel Vorm Typically quick in distribution and with a couple of strong saves, he can count himself unlucky to have conceded two through the mistakes of Shelvey. Another solid night between the posts. 7/10

Àngel Rangel Must be absolutely knackered having attacked with such vigour and defended against Moses at the other end. Coped with both tasks admirably, and fizzed in some dangerous balls that the front men could and should have got on the end of. Some superb overlapping late on. 8

Jose Flores His anticipation looks to be his greatest asset, as he moved up on several occasions to nick the ball. A strong performance exemplified when he blocked a ball over the top aimed at Sturridge in stoppage time. 8

Ashley Williams His commanding display often veered on the side of frustration as he seemed to lose his head early on and struggled to keep a lid on it after. Some great moments, though. Rightly booked for a cynical challenge on Coutinho. 6

Ben Davies Less eye-catching than Rangel down the right at first, but found more and more space as the match went on. The left side became ever more dangerous towards the end of the game as him and Routledge got the better of Toure. 7

Leon Britton Kept things ticking over well in the middle of the park, but didn’t do anything to catch the eye. A typical Britton performance, then. 7

Jonjo Shelvey The match will forever be synonymous with the former Liverpool man. A very well taken goal in the second minute preceded two horrendous mistakes that cost two goals. A fantastic assist for Michu’s equaliser earned some redemption. 6

Michu Some good link-up moves with Bony in the first hour, but really came alive once he was put up front. A constant menace through the middle and took his goal really well. Food for thought for Laudrup, who must be thinking of starting him up top next week. 8

Nathan Dyer Had very little impact in the first half and was subbed off during the break. Will be disappointed with his contribution to the side. 5

Wayne Routledge Grew into the game as Swansea piled on the pressure late on and by the last 10 minutes looked positively unplayable. His pace had Kolo Toure on toast when he came on. 8

Wilfried Bony His partnership with Michu is starting to show promise as the two develop an understanding. A wonderful one-touch move between the pair could well have ended in a goal but his finish was disappointing. A night to build on, if not one to immediately remember. 7

Substitutes:

Jonathan de Guzmán Clearly a player who fits right into Swansea’s style. Great range of passing, especially his lob wedge over the top to Michu. Must be pushing for a start next time around. Unlucky to be denied with a good free kick at the end 8

Alejandro Pozuelo Looked very lively when he came on and allowed Michu the space and freedom he needed to thrive up front. A few nice touches to set up attacks. 7

Liverpool

Simon Mignolet Not at fault for the goals, but a couple of nervy moments interspersed between some decent saves. A fine stop to deny De Guzman from a free kick at the end, but immediately followed it up with a dodgy punch from the corner. Sums up his night. 6

Andre Wisdom In trying to replace Johnson, It has never been clearer that he is not a natural full back. Caught out of position on a number of occasions and couldn’t get anywhere near Michu for the equaliser. Subbed off after he was booked. 3

Martin Skrtel Another committed display from the Slovakian showed his great strength of character after it looked like Rodgers would be leaving him out in the cold over the summer. A superb block from Bony to deny a certain goal summed up his evening. 7

Mamadou Sakho Unsurprisingly, he played as if he didn’t know the rest of his back four. A nervy start, where he was primarily at fault for Shelvey’s opener, but he felt his way into the occasion with some smart interceptions. More will be expected in the future from the commanding ‘marquee’ buy. 5

Jose Enrique A typical Enrique performance, in which he attempted to muscle players off the ball and failed as often as he succeeded. The full-back areas are starting to look more and more worrying for Liverpool. 5

Lucas Leiva Often moving in as an auxiliary centre back when his side didn’t have the ball, he still isn’t up to 100%. A decent shield in front of the back four, but booked for arguing with Shelvey and a shade lucky not to receive a second yellow later in the second half. Fans will be hoping he will return to his dominant best. 6

Steven Gerrard Attempted a number of raking balls, as is his wont, but also got through more than his fair share of midfield donkey work. Not everything he attempted came off, as always. 6

Jordan Henderson The performance that is fast becoming Henderson’s trademark. Energy, high pressing and endless running gave his side something that no-one else in the side can. What he lacks in traditional wingplay he makes up for in endeavour. 7

Victor Moses A great debut first half from the Nigerian, his strength and direct running added a whole new dimension to the Liverpool attack. Took his goal well, but faded badly as the match wore on. Needs match fitness. 7

Philippe Coutinho His intelligence and ability to find the spaces no-one else can is beyond question, but his end product is starting to become a minor concern. Unlucky to receive an injury from Williams which ended his night prematurely. 6

Daniel Sturridge Once again, Sturridge showed why he is such a lethal front man. His anticipation of Shelvey’s mistake bordered on psychic, but his performance faded as he tired. Caught offside on a number of occasions in the second half. 7

Substitutes:

Kolo Toure Looked more assured at right back than Wisdom, which tells you more about the young Englishman’s performance than it does Toure’s. Not quick enough to play the role effectively and was found out by Davies and Routledge. 5

Iago Aspas The more we see of him, the less he looks Premier League quality. Ran around a lot but achieved little and wasn’t even close to the creativity Coutinho provides. Must do better to keep his place in the squad. 4

Raheem Sterling Attempted to reinvigorate the left side where Moses had tired, but one run aside he barely saw the ball as Liverpool hung on towards the end. 6