West Brom vs. Liverpool: Reds Ratings in Opening Loss

Liverpool's era under Brendan Rodgers could not have got off to much more of a worse start as they were beaten 3-0 by Steve Clarke's West Brom side, with Daniel Agger being sent off for good measure.

The score didn't reflect two-thirds of the game; Liverpool were the better side for an hour despite trailing at the interval, thanks to Zoltan Gera's spectacular strike.

After Agger's dismissal the Reds clearly fell apart—conceding two more goals and looking a shadow of their rigid and solid defensive selves last season.

Here are the player ratings for the Liverpool XI and substitutes.

Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina

For the first 40 minutes Pepe Reina had very little to do other than watch a couple of shots from Shane Long and Liam Ridgewell drift over his crossbar.

Just before half time he was beaten by a rocket half-volley from Zoltan Gera which he had no chance with.

A penalty save from Shane Long in the second half looked like it might keep Liverpool in the game but Reina was beaten by a second penalty from Peter Odemwingie moments later.

He was left hugely exposed by a wayward defence thereafter as Morrison, Lukaku and Mulumbu all had chances go close—Lukaku scoring a third in the final minutes.

Reina had no chance with the goals themselves and perhaps was let down by his defence, but he is one of the best organisers of a defensive line and might have played a bigger role in helping the side re-align themselves after Agger's red card.

Reina: 7/10

Full-Backs: Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson

With Jose Enrique suffering a late injury in training, Martin Kelly was drafted in to play right-back, with Glen Johnson switching to the left.

Early in the game it was Johnson who made plenty of running, providing support in the final third and creating chances for Suarez and Borini in particular.

In the second half he had very little opportunity to get on the ball in the attack, but being further up the pitch as Liverpool tried to get back into the game, West Brom were able to counter into the spaces he left behind him.

Kelly on the opposite side was relatively solid in defence though had an early moment or two where he lacked control.

He rarely let Long, Odemwingie or Ridgewell get the better of him in defence.

Kelly: 6/10

Johnson: 7/10

Centre Backs: Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger

Where to begin? Liverpool's first choice centre backs, Skrtel and Agger, formed a formidable partnership last season.

Against West Brom both looked less than assured, with Skrtel tripping over his own feet in the build-up to the first penalty of the day which also led to Daniel Agger's sending off.

Skrtel was then partnered by Carragher and the two of them were completely all over the place, never looking like a "pair" and more just two people stood relatively close to each other on a local park!

And not even that close at times.

All in all, this was a day to forget for the two centre backs.

Martin Skrtel: 5/10

Daniel Agger: 6/10

Central Midfielders: Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen and Steven Gerrard

Liverpool's midfield started the game relatively well, controlling the game for long spells and retaining the ball—and creating chances—as Brendan Rodgers wants them to do.

Lucas looked understandably off the pace at times, given he was playing his first league match since late 2011, but his passing was mostly assured and he was tidy in possession, playing well off Joe Allen.

Allen himself was the Reds' most consistent performer during the game, rarely giving the ball away and helping the team keep their shape in the centre of the pitch.

After the game-changing red card, Liverpool struggled to keep possession when it mattered most and were unable to work themselves back into the match.

Gerrard was by far the least effective player in keeping hold of the ball and was prone to making over-hit passes, as well as wastefully shooting when defenders were already close to closing him down.

More will be required in this area of the pitch if Liverpool are to improve.

Lucas: 6/10

Joe Allen: 7/10

Steven Gerrard: 5/10

Wide Forwards: Stewart Downing and Fabio Borini

After an impressive summer from Liverpool's wide forwards in the 4-3-3 system, Borini and Downing had little impact on the game against West Brom.

Borini did a few times get beyond Suarez and work his way into the box, clipping one shot just wide of the far post, but was by and large a peripheral figure for this game.

One fine cross for Suarez late on in the game might have yielded an assist, but it wasn't Liverpool's day in front of goal.

Early on, Downing attacked quickly and drove at the West Brom left back Ridgewell, but his delivery on the day was poor, with just one cross finding a fellow Red.

He was withdrawn after the red card to allow Carragher to fill Liverpool's back four back up to its full compliment, so was not on the pitch for the worst spell of the match from the Reds' perspective.

Fabio Borini: 6/10

Stewart Downing: 5/10

Centre Forward: Luis Suarez

As per the previous slide, it just wasn't Liverpool's day in front of goal—and most of the chances fell, as expected, to Luis Suarez.

Two early chances, largely created of his own accord, forced saves from Ben Foster but thereafter he was guilty of spurning two headed chances which certainly should have resulted in goals, one in each half.

Suarez is a hugely talented player and will certainly be a key component of the team once they all get up to speed with their roles in the new shape, but today just wasn't his day.

Luis Suarez: 7/10

Substitutes

Jamie Carragher came on for Stewart Downing around the hour mark after the Reds were reduced to 10 men, taking Daniel Agger's place in the centre of defence.

He was perhaps not warmed up when introduced, giving him some excuse, but was way off the pace of the game and struggled with the pace and power of Romelu Lukaku.

He'll likely be in team for the Manchester City game now and will need a much improved performance.

Joe Cole replaced Lucas Leiva as Liverpool chased goals when behind—but went off injured again just moments later.

Andy Carroll replaced him for the final minutes of the game and was involved twice, once challenging for the ball in the West Brom area and once clashing in the centre circle with Jonas Olsson.

Jamie Carragher: 5/10

Joe Cole: no rating

Andy Carroll: no rating

Unused subs: Brad Jones, Jonjo Shelvey, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam.

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