Liverpool 3-2 West Ham player ratings: Trent Alexander-Arnold to the rescue
Midfield
. . Fabinho. 5.
Without Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park, Liverpool just isn’t the same squad. Fabinho made his start in the middle next to Naby Keita and Georginio Wijnaldum and it didn’t go very well for the three.
West Ham found time and space down the middle when they were on the ball. The Brazilian defensive midfielder was fine against West Ham and deserves a 5 player grade for his efforts.
3. . . . Naby Keita
It was not Keita’s day against West Ham. He provided little for Liverpool down the middle. I can riff off some of his stats, but all you really need to know is that he wasn’t any good.
That’s why Jurgen Klopp pulled Keita off after 57 minutes in favor of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With less than half the match to work with Chamberlain added two key passes, had a shot towards goal and, unlike Keita, was a spark for Liverpool.
With performances like this one against West Ham, perhaps Keita’s time with the Reds will be shortlived.
Related Story. Has Keita ruined his Anfield career?. light
7. . . . Georginio Wijnaldum
Another strong game from Georginio Wijnaldum. Not only because he scored that nice headed goal to open the scoring, but he did so much for Liverpool in the middle of the park.
He held a 98 percent passer rating, one key pass, one shot on target (the goal), he also blocked a shot and made two clearances defensively for the Reds. He’s no Jordan Henderson, but he gives Liverpool a decent engine down the middle to create from. Which is why Klopp keeps him in the squad day-in and day-out.