• LIVERPOOL RATINGS; Caoimhin Kelleher, 7: The Irishman gave away a penalty but otherwise played well. He made a superb late save from Erik Sviatchenko and completed the night with a towering punch to see off the danger. Reuters
    LIVERPOOL RATINGS; Caoimhin Kelleher, 7: The Irishman gave away a penalty but otherwise played well. He made a superb late save from Erik Sviatchenko and completed the night with a towering punch to see off the danger. Reuters
  • rent Alexander-Arnold, 6: A proud night for the Scouser who captained the team for the first time but not one of his more memorable outings. Overrun in the second half and found little joy going forward. AFP
    rent Alexander-Arnold, 6: A proud night for the Scouser who captained the team for the first time but not one of his more memorable outings. Overrun in the second half and found little joy going forward. AFP
  • Rhys Williams, 5: Good in the air and assured in the first half but less comfortable after Fabinho’s departure. The 19-year-old is not yet ready to be the senior centre half. AP
    Rhys Williams, 5: Good in the air and assured in the first half but less comfortable after Fabinho’s departure. The 19-year-old is not yet ready to be the senior centre half. AP
  • Fabinho, 7: The Brazilian made a splendid clearance off the line. His anticipation gives him a massive advantage. Rested at half time when Koumetio came on and the drop off in defence was massive. EPA
    Fabinho, 7: The Brazilian made a splendid clearance off the line. His anticipation gives him a massive advantage. Rested at half time when Koumetio came on and the drop off in defence was massive. EPA
  • Konstantinos Tsimikas, 5: The Greek provided a lovely pass for Jota but had difficult moments at the back until injury forced him to limp off. Replaced by Robertson with 29 minutes left. Reuters
    Konstantinos Tsimikas, 5: The Greek provided a lovely pass for Jota but had difficult moments at the back until injury forced him to limp off. Replaced by Robertson with 29 minutes left. Reuters
  • Leighton Clarkson - 6: The 19-year-old was neat and tidy in his passing and was always available to receive the ball when team-mates were under pressure. Got lost a little in the second half. EPA
    Leighton Clarkson - 6: The 19-year-old was neat and tidy in his passing and was always available to receive the ball when team-mates were under pressure. Got lost a little in the second half. EPA
  • Naby Keita - 4: Another substandard effort from the Guinean, who needs playing time to reach match fitness. The midfielder did not do enough when the team were under the cosh and was replaced by Henderson. AFP
    Naby Keita - 4: Another substandard effort from the Guinean, who needs playing time to reach match fitness. The midfielder did not do enough when the team were under the cosh and was replaced by Henderson. AFP
  • Takumi Minamino - 5: The Japanese chased around the midfield but too much of his energy was unfocused. He sent in an excellent cross for Jota on one of his raids forward and was unlucky to have a goal disallowed. Reuters
    Takumi Minamino - 5: The Japanese chased around the midfield but too much of his energy was unfocused. He sent in an excellent cross for Jota on one of his raids forward and was unlucky to have a goal disallowed. Reuters
  • Mohamed Salah - 8: The Egyptian scares defenders into mistakes, as shown by his goal, a strike that made him Liverpool’s top scorer in the Champions League era. No opponent can relax when the 28-year-old is on the prowl. EPA
    Mohamed Salah - 8: The Egyptian scares defenders into mistakes, as shown by his goal, a strike that made him Liverpool’s top scorer in the Champions League era. No opponent can relax when the 28-year-old is on the prowl. EPA
  • Diogo Jota - 5: The Portuguese’s passing, shooting, first touch and decision-making were below par. Hampered by poor supply, too. Left the action with three minutes left when Mane entered the game. AP
    Diogo Jota - 5: The Portuguese’s passing, shooting, first touch and decision-making were below par. Hampered by poor supply, too. Left the action with three minutes left when Mane entered the game. AP
  • Divock Origi - 4: Holds the ball up nicely but this team thrives on the quick counter attack. As a result, the Belgian just slows things down. Needed to score a one-on-one when set up by Salah. EPA
    Divock Origi - 4: Holds the ball up nicely but this team thrives on the quick counter attack. As a result, the Belgian just slows things down. Needed to score a one-on-one when set up by Salah. EPA
  • SUBS: Billy Koumetio - 5: Replaced Fabinho at half time. The 18-year-old’s rawness showed. A tough but valuable learning experience for the youngest Liverpool player to make a debut in the Champions League. AFP
    SUBS: Billy Koumetio - 5: Replaced Fabinho at half time. The 18-year-old’s rawness showed. A tough but valuable learning experience for the youngest Liverpool player to make a debut in the Champions League. AFP
  • Andrew Robertson - 6: Drafted into the team in the 61st minute when Tsimikas was injured. Shored up the left flank but was unable to impress going forward. EPA
    Andrew Robertson - 6: Drafted into the team in the 61st minute when Tsimikas was injured. Shored up the left flank but was unable to impress going forward. EPA
  • Jordan Henderson - 7: Brought leadership and vigour to the side when joining the action in the 61st minute. Gave a level of protection to the defence that Keita was unable to provide. A late, last-ditch saving tackle showed his importance. AFP
    Jordan Henderson - 7: Brought leadership and vigour to the side when joining the action in the 61st minute. Gave a level of protection to the defence that Keita was unable to provide. A late, last-ditch saving tackle showed his importance. AFP
  • Roberto Firmino – 5: On for Origi for the final 19 minutes. The Brazilian had some nice touches but was unable to make a significant impact. EPA
    Roberto Firmino – 5: On for Origi for the final 19 minutes. The Brazilian had some nice touches but was unable to make a significant impact. EPA
  • Sadio Mane - 6: Liverpool’s final substitution with three minutes left. Looked to have set up a winning goal for Minamino but was deemed to have handled the ball in a strange VAR decision. Getty
    Sadio Mane - 6: Liverpool’s final substitution with three minutes left. Looked to have set up a winning goal for Minamino but was deemed to have handled the ball in a strange VAR decision. Getty

Record-breaker Mohamed Salah gets 8, Diogo Jota 5, Divock Origi 4: Liverpool player ratings v Midtjylland


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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Mohamed Salah after a record-breaking night in Denmark but was less impressed with VAR.

Salah took just 55 seconds - the club's quickest Champions League goal - to score his 22nd in the competition and surpass Steven Gerrard as the Reds' leading scorer in the 1-1 draw with Midtjylland.

But in a frustrating second half three VAR decisions - one which awarded the hosts a penalty to equalise through Alexander Scholz, another which denied the Midtjylland goalscorer a second, and a third which chalked off what would have been a late winner for Takumi Minamino - affected the flow of the game.

Klopp could not be happier for Salah, however.

"One record after another. I didn't know he could break his record tonight but I'm pretty sure he is proud of that, he should be," said Klopp.

"An exceptional player, an absolutely exceptional player. Since we were together he helps the team the way he knows and appreciates the help of the team as well.

"If it was only the incredible number of his goals it would not be enough to be successful, so thank God others scored a lot of goals as well and made this team successful.

"But Mo is a very exceptional player. Nobody doubted it but if you need numbers to prove, he delivers that as well."

Klopp was less effusive about the way VAR operated during the game, echoing growing criticism about how the length of time is killing the spontaneity of football.

"It just took too long. I think in the end, I didn't see it back, the decisions were right but it was so difficult it took three or four minutes and it was cold for the boys," he added.

"It is really hard and I could hear people saying 'Oh my God'. It took really long and it was really cold, which doesn't help.

"I used to be one of the people who said VAR is a good idea, I'm really not sure if I would say that again to be honest. But now we have it."

Assessing the performances, Tony Evans has provided his Liverpool player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

if you go
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5