Player ratings: Watford v Liverpool – Aug 12 2017

Jordan Henderson – 6

If you follow Twitter during games (God help you) you will be aware of how Liverpool fans respond to Jordan Henderson. Many people think he is useless. This is wrong. He was fine. Fine at passing, fine at tackling, fine at crossing. Of course fine isn’t good enough to win the league. His skill set is complements Coutinho’s perfectly. Without the Brazilian he looks average. But he is not terrible.

Gini Wijnaldum – 5

Largely anonymous. Contributed nothing of great significance at either end. When we are playing well he is crucial. Makes things tick; joining defense and attack. Hence why his record at home is so much better than away. When teams come at us he lacks the physical attributes to impose himself on a game.

Emre Can – 7

Was the furthest forward of the Liverpool midfielders and was the driving heart of the midfield. When he received the ball deep he was looking to pass or dribble into the gap between Watford’s defense and midfield. When he didn’t have the ball he moved into that same gap to create room for others and opportunity for an easy pass. His involvement in the Mane goal was beautiful. Had a sumptuous touch (actually two sumptuous touches) to take the ball out of the sky on a clearance before powering into the Watford half and winning a free kick. It is criminal that we have not signed him to a new deal. With a Coutinho exit looming it is positively insane.