Welcome back to Emoji Player Ratings, this time we look at last night's MNF clash between Liverpool and Newcastle United, with the home side running out 2-0 winners.
Here at Balls.ie we strive to bring you the most in depth analysis, and what better way to analyse the biggest game of the weekend than with the use of emojis on a scale of “Skull emoji” to “Prayer Hand emoji”. We told you it was in depth.
Here is the key where you can find out which emoji represents what type of performance:
Liverpool picked up a vital three points to keep their Top 4 hopes alive, as their little Brazilian magician shone in an otherwise unspectacular performance. Raheem Sterling gave the Reds the lead inside ten minutes with some neat dribbling in the Newcastle penalty area, and Joe Allen added the second after 70 minutes to make the final period of the game far more comfortable. It got easier for Liverpool when Moussa Sissoko was sent off for a ridiculous challenge, but Brendan Rodgers' men were good value for their win.
Here's how we rated the starting XI's:
Simon Mignolet moved level with Southampton's Fraser Forster at the top of the clean sheets table with 13, although he won't be thanking Dejan Lovren who had another shakey performance at the back. Liverpool's midfield three all had a good game, while Philippe Coutinho was easily the best player on the pitch.
While the performance as a team was an improvement on their derby defeat to Sunderland, Newcastle would have hoped for a more clinical display considering they wasted a number of opportunities from good positions, particularly late in the first half. Stand in centre-back Daryl Janmaat gave a good showing, and Jack Colback's return to midfield had a positive impact, but the magpies were let down by some wasteful forward play, and a braindead challenge by Moussa Sissoko resulting in a red card. The less said about Gabriel Obertan the better.
