PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 4-0 ARSENAL

Liverpool hosted Arsenal for today’s late afternoon kickoff and romped to a 4-0 victory. A fiery first half saw the two managers clash on the touchline before Mané gave the hosts the lead with a header. Second half, they ran away with it as goals from Jota, Salah and Minamino consigned Arsenal to their first defeat in eleven games. Read on for player ratings from the game.

Alisson – 9

One comfortable save from Lokonga’s long range effort. Made a great save with his feet when Aubameyang got in behind, before topping that with a world class save second half from Partey’s curler. That was heading into the top corner but he palmed it away with minimum fuss. His distribution was great too, his clipped ball to Tsimikas started the move for the third goal. A welcome clean sheet after what happened last time out.

Alexander-Arnold – 10

A perfect performance from the 23 year old. He’s in scary form at the minute. Another two assists here, and it could have been more. The first, a beautifully whipped cross to Mané at the back post from a free kick. The second, a drilled effort across goal for Minamino to tap home at the back post. Denied a screamer when Ramsdale somehow tipped his left footed shot over the bar after Trent had cut inside a defender on the edge of the box. Kept Smith-Rowe quiet too.

Matip – 8.5

Slipped and allowed Aubameyang in but their goal was ruled out for offside. Aubameyang then run across him to latch onto a pass before Alisson made the save. Aside that, he was solid. Won his one on one duels. He was sensible in possession, taking less risks than usual. Cleared their first corner of the game with a commanding header.

Van Dijk – 9

Aubameyang tried to run off him to get onto a pass early on second half, but Virgil showed a clean pair of heels to match him stride for stride before sliding to clear. He was at his commanding best as he organised the offside line to perfection. Played a number of diagonals as per. Attacked a few set pieces well but didn’t get the connection he wanted. Yet to score for the club this season. Welcome clean sheet.

Tsimikas – 9

Was worried first half when he allowed Saka inside one too many times. He wisened up to it and shut him down second half. Played well, combined with Mané and Thiago to good effect. Played a lovely ball to Jota in the build up to the third. Lovely team goal that. Good set piece deliveries too and we’re yet to concede a goal this season with him on the pitch. That’s got to count for something. Surely he’s done enough to hold on to the shirt for the mean time.

Fabinho – 9.5

He was in beast mode tonight. There was a period of play where he won the ball off Lacazette twice in the space of about a minute. That just underlined his display tonight. Strong in the tackle and everywhere when they tried to attack. Won a must win tackle on Aubameyang to halt a two on one counter. Scythed Smith-Rowe down when he threatened to break away. He’s learnt from the Fornals goal at West Ham it seems.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 8

Ox’s performance is difficult to judge. We won so he gets an 8, if we’d lost he’d have gotten a 6. He has a way of leaving you wanting more. Don’t get me wrong, he did a job tonight. He worked his socks off and made two crucial defensive interceptions, one to prevent Saka scoring a free header and another to slide the ball away in the box to prevent a shot. He pressed hard and won possession in the final third so many times, putting in tackles when he had to. Unlucky to see his effort from the edge of the box go just wide. Can he build on it?

Thiago – 9

Almost a perfect scenario of when you want Thiago on the pitch. With the lion’s share of possession and a team who were prepared to sit off at times, Thiago just ran the show. He’s so easy on the eye when he gets the ball, with the way he shimmies and strokes it around. Created a few openings with his eye for vertical passes through the lines. Unlucky not to score when his left footed effort was too close to Ramsdale. Important defensive work too, similar to Ox, made a crucial clearance in our box.

Salah – 9

He just toyed with Tavares, turning him inside out, and then inside again. Scored a tap in after he’d been unlucky to see Ramsdale pull off save after save to deny him. Unlucky not to get an assist when he laid the ball into Jota’s path but Diogo’s heavy touch saw him collide with the keeper. He’s enjoying his football right now, with a smile on his face. He can run all night if he’s allowed

Jota – 8.5

First half he wasn’t getting involved much, and when he did, his passing was sloppy. Second half he stepped it up though, and punished Tavares’s back pass with unreal composure. He sent Ben White back to Brighton, before sending Ramsdale back down to the Championship with a feint, before firing into an empty net. He came alive after that, and was involved in more threatening moves. Put Mané in behind with a superb header for Salah’s goal. Hopefully he’s okay after that collision with Ramsdale.

Mané – 9.5

He endured a frustrating start to the game where he lost almost every duel to Ben White. That culminated in him picking up a booking after he went through the back of Tomiyasu on the touchline. He calmed down thereafter. Lovely header for his goal, into the ground and across the goalkeeper. Made a powerful run down the wing and unselfishly laid it in a plate for Salah. Involved in the build up to Minamino’s too. Goal and assist for him tonight. He can be frustrating at times but he’s also very effective.

Substitutes

Minamino – 7

He came on and scored almost immediately, sneaking in at the back post to turn home Trent’s teaser. You could see from the celebration how much that meant to him. Hopefully it gives him the confidence boost he needs to truly kickstart his Liverpool career. Was tidy in possession.

Henderson – 7

Came on for Ox and immediately rekindled his budding partnership with Salah and Trent down the right. Fantastic ball to Mané in the build up to Minamino’s goal.

Morton – N/A

Heart warming moment to see the youngster make his PL debut late on. Neat and tidy on the ball and didn’t look out of place.

Jurgen Klopp

His hand was forced with the lineup due to injuries, but it was still a strong team he put out. He had a flashpoint with Arteta on the touchline and had the last laugh as his team went on to take their opponents apart. The first half was tight, with only Mané’s goal from a set piece separating the sides. Whatever he did at halftime worked a treat as we were much much better. Good win, good subs, good night.