Liverpool ratings as brilliant Virgil van Dijk scores a 9, but Roberto Firmino gets 3

Matt Jones - Editor 00:14 04/11/2018
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  • Arsenal and Liverpool shared the spoils but unfortunately not the goals in a thrilling spectacle that ended 1-1 at the Emirates.

    After a stellar first half from the hosts it was actually the away side that went in front, James Milner capitalizing on a poor punch from Bernd Leno to sweep Liverpool into the lead.

    The hosts levelled though inside the final 10 minutes – substitute Alex Iwobi threaded a fine ball through to Alexandre Lacazette and the Frenchman showed excellent composure to hold his nerve and bend beautifully past Alisson.

    Here we rate the Liverpool players.

    LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

    Alisson – 8: Composed amid a first half barrage from Arsenal, adept handling keeping them at bay. Distribution was also superb.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5: Not the full-back’s best game as he gave the ball away with alarming regularity. His 63.2 per cent pass success was the worst on the pitch.

    Virgil van Dijk – 9: A colossus at the back as Liverpool found themselves under siege. Unlucky twice not to score. A genuine class act.

    Joe Gomez – 6: Dealt adequately with everything Arsenal threw at the visitors. Overawed at times but stuck to task – led side with eight clearances.

    Andrew Robertson – 7: A stellar athlete who never seems to fade. Not his usual best going forward while he also had to keep an eye on the marauding Bellerin.

    Georginio Wijnaldum – 6: Had a quiet game and seemed overwhelmed with Arsenal’s pace. Did make two interceptions though.

    Milner

    Fabinho – 4: Looked all at sea as he tried hopelessly to shackle Ozil. Did lead Liverpool with three tackles, but still some way off being a regular.

    James Milner – 7: As ever, put in a shift, and needed to as Liverpool’s midfield was overawed. Showed composure to put his side ahead. Three key passes.

    Mohamed Salah – 8: Looked on it from the start and terrorised Kolasinac. Hasn’t been bad this season but seemed to take a step up here. Four key passes led Liverpool.

    Roberto Firmino – 3: Unlucky to hit the woodwork, from which Mane’s strike was ruled out, but overall was woeful, indicative of current form. No shots on target from three attempts tells the story of his game.

    Sadio Mane – 6: Harshly judged offside when tapping in Firmino’s rebound. Lively but wasteful and hesitant in possession, although he did create the confusion for the opener.

    SUBS:

    Xherdan Shaqiri – 6: Almost helped set up a second straight after Arsenal’s leveler, but cut-back was sent wide by Mane. That was more than Firmino had managed the entire game.

    Joel Matip N/A: A late cameo for Salah.

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