Liverpool downed Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates, thanks to second-half strikes from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino. The victory marked Liverpool’s 9th consecutive league win, a run not even bettered by their title rivals Manchester City. Moreover, the win took Liverpool within a point of Guardiola’s men, who dropped two points in their last game. Here are the Liverpool player ratings from the Reds’ resilient win over the Gunners.
The first big chance of the night fell to the Gunners. A disastrous back-pass from Thiago to Alisson was intercepted by Lacazette who rounded off the ‘keeper and played it to Odegaard. The Norwegian was clear on the goal but Alisson made himself bigger than ever and denied Odegaard. Liverpool wasted no time in punishing the Gunners for missing a sitter. Thiago made it up for his mistake with a perfect ball which tore Ben White and Cedric Soares apart for Jota to run onto. The Portuguese timed his run and slotted the ball past Ramsdale at the near post. The England goalkeeper got his arm to the ball but couldn’t stop it from finding the back of the net.
Substitute Firmino then killed the game for Arsenal. Andy Robertson pounced on a failure from Saka to clear the ball and was free out wide. The left-back had all the time in the world to put in a perfect ball and he did the same. His pass found Firmino whose feather touch slid the ball into the net. Liverpool then put immense pressure on Arsenal with Salah introduced and inflicted the first loss in six games on the Gunners.
Liverpool player ratings: Defense
Alisson- 7/10
The Brazilian wasn’t troubled much by Arsenal. Apart from that mammoth save off Odegaard, had to sweep up in gaps a few times.
Trent Alexander-Arnold- 6/10
Tremendous as usual in the attack. Delicious crosses in the box throughout the game. But defensively, was caused too many problems by Martinelli. Moreover, Henderson and Matip had to help him out on closing down the winger on many occasions.
Joel Matip- 7/10
Excellent game from the center-back. Contained the pressure from Arsenal’s attack in the first 45 minutes brilliantly. Once Martinelli exposed Alexander-Arnold, Arsenal forced their attacks down that flank but Matip failed their attempts.
Virgil van Dijk- 7/10
Cool and calm as always. Stood as a brick wall against Saka and Odegaard denying them any threatening link-up play. Absorbed the Arsenal pressure late on outstandingly.
Andrew Robertson- 9/10
Robertson like Alexander-Arnold had one of the toughest jobs; to deal with Bukayo Saka. However, the Scottish left-back easily restricted Saka and his pace. Robertson forced the Arsenal winger into committing an error and assisted Firmino for the second goal which killed it for the home side.
Midfield
Jordan Henderson (CM) – 5/10
The captain failed to find his feet in the first 45 minutes. However, a completely changed Henderson in the second 45 minutes. The midfielder was involved more in the second half, helping Liverpool dominate the midfield and even restrained Martinelli from cutting inside. He has to be the lowest-rated among Liverpool player ratings.
Fabinho- 7/10
An unorthodox Fabinho in the first half. He was found higher up the pitch than his usual position. As a result, could have even caught off-position but Thiago and Henderson covered. Fabinho got back to his regular duties in the second half.
Thiago (CM) – 7/10
A game of ‘two passes’ for Thiago. The midfielder almost gifted Arsenal the opener when his awful back-pass found Lacazette one-on-one with Alisson. But Thiago’s perfect sliding pass between White and Cedric for Jota was rifled past Ramsdale by the Portuguese to open the scoring for the Reds.
Attack
Sadio Mane- 6/10
Mane was unable to work his wonders on the right flank. He didn’t trouble Tierney much and was restricted to only four passes in the first half. The Second-half was similar too as Mane failed to impose his game. Moreover, lost possession several times, but was lucky to play the whole 90 minutes. To sum up, not his night.
Diogo Jota- 7/10
Jota may have scored his fifth goal in the last three appearances at Emirates, but his display throughout his 56 minutes was horrific. The forward looked lost until he scored the goal. Moreover, Jota at times was seen in the midfield rather than the attack in the first half. If it hadn’t been for the goal, his performance was a nightmarish one.
Luis Diaz- 6/10
Diaz and mane were quite on the same note. The January signing was rotated from left to right but couldn’t work his antics on either of the flanks. A quiet game for Diaz, but his work rate was unquestionable as always.
Substitutes
Mohamed Salah- 6/10
Replaced Diaz in the 56th minute. Salah’s runs kept the Gunners busy at a time when they looked for an equalizer. Klopp’s trick worked and before Arsenal could find any opening, Liverpool’s second goal finished the job.
Roberto Firmino- 7/10
Replaced Jota in the 56th minute. A goalscorer for an eventual goalscorer. His genius flick from Robertson’s pass beat Ramsdale for Liverpool’s second and kept the possession for the Reds in Arsenal’s half.
Curtis Jones- N/A
Replaced Thiago in the 90th minute.
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