A look at the individual performances of all involved in the opening match up on Merseyside against Liverpool.

Fraser Forster
Didn't have a lot to do in terms of saves, but what he did he did well, looked confident in his handling and his size seemed to add that degree of control to the box, couldn't do much with either goal, all in all a good debut that bodes well for the future 7/10

Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne carried on where he left off last season, looked good going forward and scored a cracking goal, however there could be fingers pointed at him for Liverpool's winner, although he wasn't the only one who seemed to go to sleep, if he had had his wits about him he would have stopped Daniel Sturridge getting in front of him to steer the ball home 7/10.

Yoshida
We know he isn't the answer at the back, Yoshida isn't a bad player and for long periods looked comfortable, but he has a knack of getting caught out and this happened on Sunday, personally I would prefer another central defender to come in and put pressure on the Fonte/Gardos combination as i dont think Yoshida will. 6/10

Jose Fonte
Again carried on where he left off last season, I still don't think he is the best defender in the Premier but he is good enough, but we do need someone to come in to put pressure on him 7/10

Ryan Bertrand
A solid debut from "Plastic" looks to be in the Clyne mould and will get forward, likes to play football so will fit in with how Ronald Koeman will want us to play 7/10

Steven Davis
You know what you are going to get from Davis and that is a solid performance week in week out, had a great chance to put us in front which he should have buried, but he was not the only culprit there 7/10

Morgan Schneiderlin.
I truly feel sorry for Morgan, he deserved a move to a big club so it must have hurt to see Lovren who was allowed to go with little service to Saints to deserve it, however the Frenchman knuckled down and put in a good display, almost won it in the last minutes 8/10

James Ward Prowse
Could be a good season for him although im struggling to see how he will fit in at times, he hasn't quite yet matured so im not sure if he is better attacking or defensively but he ran his socks off to make sure Liverpool didn't over run us 7/10

Dusan Tadic
Looks to have it, played wide here but could sparkle in the middle, but his versatility means he will be a real asset to the team, looks to be faster and more direct than Lallana so it could be more goals and assists from this area of the team than last year. 8/10

Victor Wanyama
Most people's man of the match that I spoke to, solid powerful display where he won most tackles and used the ball simply but well. 9/10

Graziano Pelle
Looked to be off the pace early on and struggling to get in the game, but as it wore on he started to hold the ball up well and bring others into play, once he gets used to the pace of the English game will be a handful.

Shane Long
Brought on to add attacking flare and did so although used rather deeper than normal almost snatched a point after Schneiderlin had hit the bar 7/10

Lloyd Isgrove
Brought on to add width and did so, looks like he could play a decent part this season and add to our versatility. 7/10

Team Display
Overall it was pretty much a 7/10 we were comfortable for long periods but then just went to sleep on two key moments, hopefully we have set the bar for the season, we know where we are strong and were we are weak and we can deal with it.

Ronald Koeman
Put out a good strong side and put paid to those who think we are in freefall, Koeman plays a different game to Pochettino and we don't press so much now, however we do have versatility, Koeman has bought in players who can play more than one position and is therefore able to change tactics more than his predeccessor.

Photo: Action Images

law101 added 12:28 - Aug 18 Very interesting point regarding Ward Prowse, I'm not sure either Pochettino or Koeman know where his best position is. He was at the heart of everything positive second half; however I'm not sure he has that killer instinct yet to play that far forward. Excellent delivery from set piece again as always. I think this could be a big year for Wanyama If he stays fit, absolutely dominating yesterday and use of the ball was superb.

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Rednose added 12:53 - Aug 18 A very good performance I think. Alas watched it on TV, but well impressed with our traveling fans. So while we're at it 10/10 for them. Out sung the scousers respected RL and represented themselves and the club very well. My two boys came back tired, but had a great day. Ball watching was the problem for the Liverpool's winner and that was nothing to do with Clyne. How could the smallest man on the pitch get such a good header on the ball to set up Sturridge Mr Schneiderlin, Mr Ward Prowse? Still a very good first performance and no flattering to deceive, we can see what we've got, what they can do and become and it all looks lovely chubbly. It's going to be a better season than most people first thought I think.

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SaintDownUnder added 13:17 - Aug 18 It looks like Komens playing philosophy is typically Dutch with the full backs being key to attacking, with this in mind I think both Clyne and Bertrand will flourish this season and both grew as the game progressed. If this is the plan then having Morgan and wanyama to cover is key and both were great yesterday, particularly wanyama who was a beast, distributed it we'll too. Ward prowse is in because of his energy and dead ball skills (which weren't at there best yesterday) but he can't pick a pass like Tadic or Ramierz, so I assume he'll compete with Tadier for a first team spot?. Davies was unusually ineffective and I think long will start in his place next game. The great thing about this is that it shows we have a squad and decent options in key positions. Anybody know why Ramirez didn't feature?

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BoondockSaint added 15:13 - Aug 18 I also would like to see Gaston out there with Tadic. Forster looked solid, but on the first goal I would have liked him to come aggressively, shutting down the angle and making Sterling rush his shot-but that's a minor quibble, what a relief to have a goalkeeper who puts his foot through the ball when he needs to! Finally! A manager that changes tactics during a game! Lost respect for Lambert after his comments defending Lovern. It seems MoPo was poisoning the well the last half of the season because he never planned on signing a new contract. If Rickie was so loyal to his managers, why did he stay after Pardew, the man that brought him in was sacked? If he was so loyal to his managers, why did he stay after Adkins, the man that he flourished under was sacked? This seems to be the media slant on us-Robbie Mustoe was spouting the "Saints looked like they were poised to challenge for Champions League, but the owner lacked ambition and took the profits out" line of bull. If he knew anything about football, he know the economics of getting into Champions League. And Brenda said the same "lack of ambition" line because we sold players-but the reporters never asked him if he sold Suarez-the league's top scorer because Liverpool "lacked ambition" And Nic, there must be something wrong with the website, I can't hear the violins playing as I scroll past your line about feeling sorry for Morgan!

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slynch added 15:53 - Aug 18 70% Saints just lost to 70% Liverpool. If there had been someone to combine with Clyne, like Tadic combined with Bertrand, Liverpool would have been trashed. Maybe Long/Ramirez/Isgrove instead of JWP is the answer when everyone's fit. Saying that Long and Davies missed sitters. Pelle wasn't fantastic but he kept 2 of the best centre backs around fully occupied so that others could flourish so I think his performance has been underrated. Another CB goes without saying, Ronko's remarks mystify me a bit. Yes! I had to reach for the hanky seeing Spiderman having to play football on a Sunday afternoon for lots of money...God, I'm glad I don't have to do it! Onwards and upwards...oh no...they are one of the best teams....onwards and downwards...2nd by Xmas.

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