Football

Liverpool 5-1 Toulouse player ratings: Gravenberch impresses as Reds cruise to win

Liverpool took a big leap towards the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa League with a dominant 5-1 win over Toulouse at Anfield. They took the lead early on through Diogo Jota and were comfortably the better team throughout the match as Jurgen Klopp’s side ended up with five goals and five different goalscorers.

It was a tough night for Toulouse who were backed by a loud and passionate following in the Anfield Road End. They had plenty to cheer in the First Half when Thijs Dallinga broke clear to level the scores but in the end it was a steep learning curve for some of the visiting team’s young players as Liverpool’s superiority shone through.

Liverpool 5-1 Toulouse player ratings
Photo by Icon sport

Liverpool 5-1 Toulouse Player Ratings

Match Timeline

9’ (GOAL) – Diogo Jota ghosts straight through the heart of the Toulouse defence and fires Liverpool into an early lead.

14’ – Nearly 2-0 as Darwin Nunez uses quick feet inside the area to create a shooting opportunity from close range but Guillaume Restes makes the save.

16’ (GOAL) – Aron Dønnum releases Thijs Dallinga, who is being played onside by Trent Alexander-Arnold, for a clear run at goal and the forward is cool enough to finish.

27’ – Ryan Gravenberch tries to emulate Jota by doing it all alone with a winding run that ends in a shot tipped wide by Restes.

30’ (GOAL) – Trent Alexander-Arnold is allowed time to cross in and he perfectly picks out Wataru Endo who heads home his first Reds goal.

34’ (GOAL) – Ryan Gravenberch drives forwards with purpose and the ball bounces through to Darwin Nunez who hammers it over the keeper and into the net.

47’ – Nearly disaster for Caoimhin Kelleher who kicks it straight to a Toulouse player but his blushes are spared as Alexander-Arnold clears Gabriel Suazo’s subsequent effort off the line.

65’ (GOAL) – Darwin Nunez beats a defender and rounds the goalkeeper but can only hit the post, although the ball bounces kindly to Gravenberch who finishes it off.

90+3′ (GOAL) – Substitute Mo Salah makes it five with a late finish.

Star Player – Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 8.40/10

An all-action display from the Dutchman who showed many of the attributes Jurgen Klopp looks for in his midfielders. His ability to run with the ball certainly got the Anfield crowd excited and he was worthy of a place on the scoresheet thanks to his Second Half goal.

Ryan Gravenberch

Liverpool player ratings

Caoimhin Kelleher 6/10 – A poor pass out nearly led to a Toulouse goal early in the Second Half.

Luke Chambers 6/10 – A good experience for the youngster who was steady at left back.

Joel Matip 6/10 – Rarely tested on a relatively quiet night for the Liverpool defence.

Joe Gomez 7/10 – Close to a comical own goal, but assured apart from that.

Trent Alexander-Arnold 8/10 – The launchpad for many Liverpool attacks. A fine cross to set up Liverpool’s second and a goal line clearance in a strong display.

Curtis Jones 7/10 – A solid performance from the midfielder.

Wataru Endo 7/10 – A first Liverpool goal with Endo leaping well to head into the corner.

Ryan Gravenberch 8/10 – Demonstrated his excellent ball-carrying capacities and bagged a goal in an impressive display.

Harvey Elliot 6/10 – Booked for a really poorly timed challenge in what wasn’t a dirty game.

Darwin Nunez 8/10 –  Expected to play a key role, Nunez didn’t disappoint with a powerful finish to put Liverpool in control at 3-1 in a typically committed display.

Diogo Jota 8/10 – A fine solo strike to open the scoring.

Calum Scanlon (sub) 6/10 – Caught in possession on the left flank which nearly led to a Toulouse goal.

Mo Salah (sub) 7/10 – Not as his best but still got on the scoresheet with a cool late finish.

Cody Gakpo (sub) N/A

Jarell Quansah (sub) N/A

James McConnell (sub) N/A

Liverpool 4-1 Toulouse player ratings
Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring the opening goal after 8 minutes – Photo by Icon sport

Toulouse player ratings

Guillaume Restes 5/10 – Conceded five but didn’t make any absolutely glaring errors.

Gabriel Suazo 6/10 – Missed a great chance to cut Liverpool’s lead but could only fire at Alexander-Arnold with Kelleher out of position.

Moussa Diarra 5/10 – Shaky in opening the stages and outjumped by Endo for Liverpool’s second.

Rasmus Nicolaisen 6/10 – The most assured of Toulouse’s back three.

Logan Costa 5/10 – Beaten too easily by Jota for the opening goal.

Mikkel Desler 6/10 – Spared the brunt of Liverpool’s attacks which mostly came on the other side.

Cristian Casseres Jr. 6/10 – Struggled to cope with the energy and movement of Liverpool’s midfield.

Vincent Sierro 6/10 – Close to a long range screamer in the First Half but fired just wide.

Niklas Schmidt 6/10 – Couldn’t stop the Toulouse midfield being overrun.

Thijs Dallinga 7/10 – A cool finish to level the scores early on.

Aron Dønnum 6/10 – Registered an assist but failed to have an attempt on goal.

Frank Magri (sub) 6/10 – Not afraid to run at the Liverpool defence but couldn’t make much happen.

Cesar Gelabert (sub) 6/10 – Close to a goal shortly after coming on.

Denis Genreau (sub) N/A

Waren Kamanzi (sub) N/A

Yanis Begraoui (sub) N/A

Ryan Gravenberch
Thijs Dallinga flicks the ball on – Photo by Icon sport

Liverpool 5-1 Toulouse Player Ratings – The Final Word

Liverpool are now firmly in control of this group with maximum points from their 3 games. The Reds host Nottingham Forest on Sunday next and we may see even more extensive rotation in their remaining Europa League group games.

Toulouse look to be locked in a battle with Union St. Gilloise for 2nd in this group. Both sides have 4 points and the French side will be hoping for better luck when they host Liverpool in a fortnight.


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