These are the Liverpool player ratings from the 7-2 Aston Villa loss.
Some are calling it the worst Liverpool defeat ever, some are simply calling it the worst under Jurgen Klopp. Whatever way you want to frame it, there’s no getting away from the fact that the Reds have been dealt a serious blow.
After the unfortunate penalty defeat to Arsenal in midweek, Liverpool were struck with the news that Sadio Mane had contracted COVID-19. Having already seen Thiago self-isolating for the international break, we must have thought it was the worst team news we’d receive.
But it got worse.
Alisson injured his shoulder during training and was replaced by Adrian, who’s had a mixed record since arriving on a free transfer from West Ham.
Villa were in good form but only had to beat Sheffield United and Fulham; conventional wisdom dictated that this one should be fairly straightforward.
It wasn’t to be as the home side took the lead almost immediately. Following a shocking mistake from Adrian, Ollie Watkins benefitted and put Villa ahead.
He doubled their lead later on after cutting inside past Trent Alexander-Arnold and firing into the top corner.
Liverpool got one back through Mo Salah, before John McGinn fired a deflected effort unluckily past Adrian.
Villa made it four before half-time through Watkins once more which completed a miserable half for Liverpool and one of the worst in modern times, despite the Reds creating a lot of chances.
They made it five through another deflected effort from Ross Barkley, before Salah gave Liverpool another consolation. Jack Grealish then fired in Villa’s sixth via another deflected shot.
He doubled his tally to make it seven.
This was the most embarrassing moment I’ve had as a Liverpool fan, even worse than Kiev. Even worse than Stoke.
I don’t like to criticise players. And I won’t say anything personal about Adrian, because he’s a nice bloke.
But now, if Alisson is injured, we need a new goalkeeper. I can’t make any further comment.