BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 17, 2014: Liverpool's Lazar Markovic celebrates scoring the second goal against Bournemouth during the Football League Cup 5th Round match at Dean Court. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Bournemouth 1-3 Liverpool: Player Ratings

Liverpool dispatched of Championship table toppers Bournemouth 3-1 on Wednesday evening, and we assess each Reds player on the night.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 17, 2014: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling scores the first goal against Bournemouth during the Football League Cup 5th Round match at Dean Court. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

BRAD JONES- 5.5 (out of 10)

The Australian was never really tested in the first-half, but allowed Dan Gosling’s shot to go tamely underneath him after the break. Is he an improvement on Simon Mignolet? Doubtful.

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KOLO TOURE- 6

The Ivorian continues to look Liverpool’s most accomplished defender and he was solid when the Cherries enjoyed a second-half improvement. A key player for Liverpool thesedays.

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MARTIN SKRTEL- 6

The Slovakian has been poor of late, but he produced a more reliable performance in a back three. Not quite the dominant Skrtel of last season and the defence never looks assured with him at the heart of it.

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DEJAN LOVREN- 5.5

The much-scrutinised 25-year-old had a more solid 45 minutes at the back than of late, but was still turned inside out twice in early stages by the Championship side down the Liverpool left. Replaced by Mamadou Sakho at half-time after reportedly picking up an injury.

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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 17, 2014: Liverpool's Lazar Markovic celebrates scoring the second goal against Bournemouth during the Football League Cup 5th Round match at Dean Court. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

JORDAN HENDERSON- 6.5

Henderson was solid in his right wing-back role, although he is still easily at his best in the middle of the park. Good assist for Raheem Sterling’s opener – not the first time those two have linked up well to score this season.

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LUCAS LEIVA- 6.5

Lucas was chosen to replace Joe Allen, and showed good physicality and reading of the game throughout. His passing could still improve though.

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STEVEN GERRARD- 7

The skipper showed his class against weaker opposition, dictating the midfield battle and using the ball well throughout. The 34-year-old made an excellent block to deny Gosling in the first-half too.

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LAZAR MARKOVIC- 7

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 17, 2014: Liverpool's Lazar Markovic scores the second goal against Bournemouth during the Football League Cup 5th Round match at Dean Court. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The 20-year-old scored his first goal for Liverpool, firing home a terrific strike from the edge of the box. He looked lively at left wing-back all evening, and will be pleased with his evening’s work.

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PHILIPPE COUTINHO- 7.5

Coutinho has taken a bit of flack lately, and rightly so, but he oozed class throughout. His passing was terrific and his touch was a joy to watch at times. A pleasing return to form.

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ADAM LALLANA- 7.5

The former Southampton man is one of the Reds’ biggest plus points at the moment, and he is looking better and better by the game. He produced some lovely flicks and footwork, and was one of the best players on the pitch.

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Football - Football League Cup - Quarter-Final - AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool FC

RAHEEM STERLING- 8

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 17, 2014: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling in action against Bournemouth during the Football League Cup 5th Round match at Dean Court. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

After a difficult outcome against Manchester United on Sunday, the pressure was on Sterling to perform in a central role. He responded brilliantly though, scoring a good header and a great run and finish after the break. The 20-year-old’s pace and trickery was a huge threat all evening. He dropped off expertly into space and the Bournemouth centre-backs weren’t sure whether to go with him or not.

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Substitutes

MAMADOU SAKHO (on for Lovren 46)- 6.5

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 17, 2014: Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho in action against Bournemouth during the Football League Cup 5th Round match at Dean Court. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The 24-year-old used the ball well and was dominant in the air. He started rusty, as you’d expect, but grew into the game. The Frenchman has to come back into the side on a regular basis as he certainly offers more stability and dominance than Lovren.

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EMRE CAN (on for Coutinho 74)- 6

The young German was fairly unnoticed, but he helped make the Liverpool midfield more solid when they were under pressure in the second-half.


FABIO BORINI (on for Gerrard 90)- n/a

The Italian was only on the pitch for a matter of seconds.


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Player ratings definitions: 10 = Faultless | 9 = Excellent | 8 = Very Good | 7 = Good | 6 = Average | 5 = Below Par | 4 = Bad | 3 = Very Bad | 2 Awful | 1 = Surely Not

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