Liverpool player ratings: three score 8/10 and plenty of 7/10s in Toulouse victory - gallery
Will Rooney
·5-min read
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the team's fourth goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Liverpool FC and Toulouse FC at Anfield on October 26, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Liverpool took another step towards the knockout stage of the Europa League as they made it three Group E wins from as many games against Toulouse at Anfield.
The Reds cantered to a 5-1 victory, with Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo and Darwin Nunez on target in the first half before Ryan Gravenberch and Mo Salah put the gloss on the triumph after the break.
Liverpool took the lead in the ninth minute with the first chance of the game. Jota showed trickery to burst away from the Toulouse defence before driving into the box and finishing with aplomb.
Little chance with Toulouse’s goal but had his blushes spared by Alexander-Arnold when his miskick gave away possession in Liverpool’s box. Made a decent save to his left in the 80th minute.
However, the visitors were level seven minutes later when they beat the Reds’ high defensive line and Thijs Dallinga kept his cool to beat Caoimhin Kelleher.
But Jurgen Klopp’s side soon re-established their authority. They were back level on the half-hour mark when Trent Alexnader-Arnold’s inviting cross found the head of Endo, who steered home. Liverpool increased their advantage four minutes later through Nunez, with his powerful left-footed half-volley crashing into the top corner.
The Reds almost gifted Toulouse a way back into the game two minutes into the second period. Kelleher’s misplaced pass gave the French side possession in Liverpool’s area and Gabriel Suazo looked destined to score with the goal at his mercy - yet Alexander-Arnold read the shot and made a crucial goalline block.
Klopp’s troops would again get on the front foot and put the game to rest in the 66th minute. Nunez did everything right when he skipped past Toulouse’s Ramus Nicolaisen and then goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. However, despite the net being unguarded, the Uruguay international struck the post, although Gravenberch made sure with the rebound.
Whipped in the cross for Endo’s goal and beat the Toulouse press several times when taking up central positions. Made a crucial block on the line moments in the second period before subbed in the 67th minute, (Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Image)
And with the final kick of the game, Salah got himself on the goalsheet when his right-footed effort found the back of the net with the underside of the bar.
The win moved Liverpool to nine points in Group E and now need just three more points to guarantee their passage into the next stage. Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players.
Comfortable throughout the first half. Similar in the second half.
Won the ball back for the opening goal but may have been caught slightly out of position for Toulouse’s equaliser. Made a good challenge to thwart a Toulouse attack after the break before being switched to right-back. (Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Caught out of position for Toulouse’s equaliser in the first half. Looked a little nervous, which was understandable, but settled down. Put the pressure on Toulouse for Liverpool to win the ball and launch the attack for the fourth goal before being subbed in the 67th minute, (Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Played with so much positivity in the first half and capped that with his maiden Liverpool goal. Prodded an effort not too far wide in the second period. A performance that should give him plenty of confidence. (Photo: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Image)
Started off a little rusty, which wasn’t a massive surprise given his absence. Soon found his rhythm and inadvertently got the assist for third goal. Subbed in the 89th minute. (Photo: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Image)
Constantly looked to drive at the Toulouse defence in the first half and had a big hand in the third goal. Continued strongly in the second period, testing the keeper twice from outside the box before showing composure to net Liverpool’s fourth. Subbed in the 70th minute. (Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Image)
Kept Liverpool throughout, coming off the wing to cause issues. Booked for a foul late on when switching to a central midfield role. (Photo: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Image)
Perhaps didn’t get as much service as he’d have liked in the first half and dropped deep at times, but was clinical when firing home the third goal. Somehow didn’t double his tally when doing everything right and rounding the keeper before hitting the post, although Gravenberch made up for that miss. Subbed in the 67th minute., (Photo: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Image)
Put Liverpool in the driving seat with a fine finish to open the scoring. Lively for the rest of the first half. Through ball in the second period was perfectly weighted for Nunez, which led to the fourth goal. (Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Minutes in the legs on his return from injury.,
Helped see out the win.
Almost got to the byline with one run but just overcooked his touch on his debut.
Notched at the very death with his only chance.
Came off the bench for his debut.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s fifth goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Liverpool FC and Toulouse FC at Anfield. Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images
A newlywed on her honeymoon in The Bahamas was killed by a large shark while paddleboarding in the water near the five-star resort where she was staying.
Katya Jones has broken her social media silence following her shock elimination from Strictly Come Dancing with Casualty star Nigel Harman after the actor sustained an injury
It’s big, boxy, bulletproof and, Elon Musk would argue, beautiful. Yet Tesla’s new Cybertruck is unlikely to be seen cruising down British or European roads anytime soon.
Prince William was pictured inside his bedroom at Eton College, revealing practical white interiors with 90s features – unlike Prince Harry's colourful college bedroom.
