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Saturday's 2-1 victory over Leicester was the type some Liverpool fans have wanted to see from a side that usually provides either feast or famine. Mohamed Salah was once again the man of the moment but there were other fine qualities on show. Positives This was a display of grit, where passion and patience were needed in equal measure against stubborn and sporadically dangerous opposition. The crowd recognised this and used its anger with Leicester time-wasting and incompetent officials to rally the players. Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to the atmosphere afterwards. Negatives Liverpool were fast asleep at the start, and good teams will always punish that. Lots of energy was expended for an important win, so how much will be left for Burnley in two days' time? Manager rating out of 10 7 -- Did well to recognise the Leicester threat and that a full-strength selection was absolutely necessary. Player ratings: (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating) GK Loris Karius, 6 -- Wasn't needed all that often once the visitors sat back on their lead. Some worrying lack of power in his kicking but mostly dealt well with an aerial threat from corners and even throw-ins. DF Joe Gomez, 8 -- Becoming a defensive rock for the Reds. Almost scored with a brilliant long-range effort in the first half and was quick to support the forwards. Once Liverpool gained the lead, he became almost unpassable. DF Joel Matip, 6 -- After the opening minutes, dealt well with the threat of Jamie Vardy which was just as well since his poor pass led to the goal. Little to do until Liverpool took the lead, he remained calm and focused. DF Dejan Lovren, 7 -- Brought back in despite the good form of Ragnar Klavan, he was eager to impress after news broke of Virgil van Dijk's signing. Many will regard him as the man who'll make way but did enough to suggest such thoughts may be premature. DF Andrew Robertson, 7 -- Another good display from the Scot, whose main contribution was coming forward when the Reds trailed early. Some crosses were wayward but mostly he poses a genuine threat in and around the opposition box. MF Emre Can, 7 -- Caught dithering once or twice, but some aggressive positive play was in evidence. Booked for trying to get on with the game after the equaliser, but fans appreciated his passion and reacted accordingly. Cheered to the rafters when booting a drop ball out of play, after Leicester had done likewise earlier. MF James Milner, 7 -- Can be slow early in a game but keeps going relentlessly. An experience campaigner, he knew that going 1-0 down so early was no cause for panic and kept it simple all game. MF Philippe Coutinho, 7 -- Not at his very best but still full of tricks and turns that kept Leicester fully occupied. Began to tire late on. FW Sadio Mane, 6 -- It's still not going well for him. His pace, or perhaps Liverpool's ability to fully utilise it, seems to have disappeared. It doesn't help when your first touch goes missing as well. Unfortunate to be caught offside when scoring since any goal right now would do wonders for his confidence. Did well to help create the equaliser but is obviously capable of far better. FW Mohamed Salah, 9 -- After a wasteful first half he was once again the man to get Liverpool out of trouble. In the face of an organised backline, he still couldn't be stopped. Always looking for any sign of defensive complacency and that helped him score a vital winner. FW Roberto Firmino, 7 -- Worked hard as usual though sometimes his touch wasn't quite there. His ability to drag defenders into places where they don't want to be is integral to Salah's current success. Substitutes: MF Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 7 -- Brought on to gain control of midfield he gave Liverpool more work-rate and passion which helped get them over the line. MF Georginio Wijnaldum, N/R -- Replaced the tiring Coutinho in order to try and protect the lead. Typically charged forward and almost created a clinching third goal instead. DF Ragnar Klavan, N/R -- Brought on late to counteract Leicester's desperate aerial assault. He was injured and his treatment ate up valuable seconds, so made his contribution to the win somewhat bizarrely.
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