AS Roma edged out Liverpool by a 2-1 scoreline in the International Champions Cup 2016.
Former Premier League players Eden Dzeko and Mohamed Salah found the back of the net for the Italian side, while starlet Sheyi Ojo scored for the Reds. Jurgen Klopp’s men may have lost the game, but they could take away plenty of positives from the game.
The Hard Tackle rates the 22 starters on the day.
Liverpool
Alex Manninger: 6
Had a decent debut despite conceding two goals. Could have done better to prevent Dzeko from putting the ball in the back of the net. Made a good save off El Shaarawy’s shot in the fifth minute of the contest.
Nathaniel Clyne: 7
Was rock solid at the back and prevented Dzeko from scoring what would have been the simplest of goals. Good game by the England international.
Ragnar Klavan: 4
The new signing’s man marking was horrendous on the day as he gave loads of room to Dzeko and Salah outside the Liverpool penalty area.
Dejan Lovren: 5
A far from comfortable outing for the Croatian stalwart. He really needs to improve his performances going into the season.
James Milner: 6.5
Impressed in a rather unfamiliar left-back role. The Englishman provided decent width going forward and was also solid defensively.
Emre Can: 5
Was bullied in midfield by Kevin Strootman and failed to stamp his authority over the Dutchman.
Georgino Wijnaldum: 6.5
Looked shaky at times but apart from that, the new signing had a good outing.
Roberto Firmino: 5.5
Made some telling passes throughout the game, but did very little to threaten the Roma goalkeeper.
Sadio Mane: 6
Played off Sturridge but wasn’t too effective playing centrally. It seems that Klopp would move the £34 million man out wide in the next game.
Sheyi Ojo: 8
Scored his side’s only goal and looked sharp with the ball at his feet. A good pre-season game for the fledgling.
Daniel Sturridge: 6
Had a couple of decent chances in the first twenty minutes, but failed to beat Alisson Becker in Roma’s goal.
Roma
Alisson Ramses Becker: 7
Made a number of impressive saves from point-blank range, keeping out the likes of Sturridge and Firmino.
Alessandro Florenzi: 6.5
Had a good game both offensively as well as defensively. Played a key role in the first goal.
Kostas Manolas: 7
The Greek defender gave a tough time to the Liverpool attackers, leaving very little room in and around the 18-yard-area.
Juan Jesus: 6
Dispossessed the ball at the times, apart from that the defender was decent throughout.
dos Santos Emerson: 5
Was beaten for pace on a number of occasions by Sturridge. A lacklustre performance by the Brazilian defender.
Nikola Maksimovic: 6.5
Looked comfortable with the ball at his feet and was solid at the back for the Italian side.
Radja Nainggolan: 8
Was almost like a box-to-box midfielder, putting in shifts in both halves of the field. Impressive performance by the Belgian lynchpin.
Kevin Strootman: 7
Had a physical game in the middle of the park and dominated Emre Can for most of the game.
Mohamed Salah: 6
Apart from slotting home an easy tap-in the second half, the winger did not have too much of an impact on the game.
Edin Dzeko: 7
Scored a goal, but missed a sitter in the 8th minute of the game and missed a few more as the game progressed. The former Manchester City had a reasonable game against the English side.
Stephan El Shaarawy: 7.5
Led the line with aplomb and looked like one of the sharpest players on the field.
