Chelsea v Liverpool: Player ratings

May 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL

JOSE REINA: Tested early on and could do little about the goals. Score 7

ALVARO ARBELOA: Improved after half-time but not a performance to treasure. Score 6

JAMIE CARRAGHER: Over-run in the first half by Drogba but did better after the break. Made fine last-ditch tackle on Drogba. Score 8

MARTIN SKRTEL: Went off injured after 21 minutes. Missed. Score 6

JOHN ARNE RIISE: Not well positioned for the goal. Did not stand out. Score 6

DIRK KUYT: Busy but rarely threatened. Score 6

XABI ALONSO: An average game. Had a good chance in extra-time. Score 6

JAVIER MASCHERANO: Not one of his better games as his engine outshone his other qualities. Score 6

YOSSI BENAYOUN: Provided the ball for Torres to get the leveller. Substituted. Score 6

STEVEN GERRARD: Virtually invisible in the first half but improved after the break. Less influential than normal. Score 7

FERNANDO TORRES: Quiet until shooting past Cech for the equaliser. Surprisingly substituted. Score 7

SUBSTITUTES:

SAMI HYYPIA (on for Skrtel 22): Gave away penalty on Ballack. But had a good shout for a penalty himself when brought down by Drogba. Score 6

JERMAINE PENNANT (on for Benayoun 78): Lots of effort but produced little. Score 6

RYAN BABEL (on for Torres 99): Hit a long-range shot to bring the Liverpool back in the game. Score 6

CHELSEA

PETR CECH: Vital early save from Torres. Could do nothing about Torres’ goal but should have saved Babel’s shot. Score 6

MICHAEL ESSIEN: Prominent throughout. Score 8

JOHN TERRY: Imperious in defence. Score 8

RICARDO CARVALHO: Worked well alongside Terry. Score 8

ASHLEY COLE: Got forward as well as attending to his defence. Score 7

FRANK LAMPARD: Threaded inch-perfect ball for Kalou for the first. Scored pressure penalty. Score 8

CLAUDE MAKELELE: Customary class. Score 8

MICHAEL BALLACK: Brought down for extra-time penalty. Score 7

SALOMON KALOU: Directly involved in Drogba’s goal. Score 7

DIDIER DROGBA: Gave Reina no chance with either goal. Score 9

JOE COLE: Busy but did not produce. Score 7

SUBSTITUTES:

FLORENT MALOUDA (on for Kalou 70): Found in good positions but failed to deliver. Score 6

NICOLAS ANELKA (on for Joe Cole 91): Produced pass which Drogba converted for killer third. Score 7

ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO (on for Lampard 119).