Liverpool player ratings vs Leeds: Arrogant Virgil van Dijk had a stinker

Liverpool player ratings – midfield

This was basically a preseason game for Henderson and it showed. Hendo and Alexander-Arnold looked horribly undercooked but it seemed like Klopp just wanted his skipper to get some minutes under his belt as he works back to full fitness.

As you’d expect, Henderson struggled with the intensity of the game and didn’t really offer much on the whole – aside from his usual leadership. It’ll be interesting to see if he starts next week against Chelsea.

After all that speculation linking Wijnaldum with a move to Barcelona, this was a good way to show fans his commitment. Gini was strong in defence, linked up well with the forwards and showed why he’s important to the side.

At times it looked like the Dutchman was trying to plug a leaking ship with plasters, and the intensity of that thankless task did eventually get to him. But overall, this was a good performance from Wijnaldum.

This is the season Keita’s Liverpool career will live or die. If he finally builds on the promise he’s shown, the Guinea international can kick on and make a really success of this. If not, it would be no surprise to see him sold.

So this was an important step in cementing that place in the side. Keita got the nod ahead of Fabinho and he passed well, broke forward at the right time and hustled Leeds.

There were some bad moments during his performance, but there was enough in there to suggest that his excellent preseason form is something that we could get excited about.