PLAYER RATINGS: ARSENAL 3-2 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool succumbed to a second league defeat of the season at the Emirates stadium, going down 3-2 to Arsenal. Shambolic defending dogged the Reds efforts in the game, with a Saka penalty late on deciding the outcome. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 5.5

Made two solid saves. Nothing he could do about the three he conceded. Needs to be more vocal at the back.

Alexander-Arnold – 4

For the first goal Henderson clearly gives him a shout and even points to Martinelli making the run in behind him. Trent stays flat footed, ball watching, and the Brazilian simply collects and slots. For the second goal he rushes out of a good position and is sent back to Merseyside with a simple dragback. Taken off at halftime after sustaining a knock.

Matip – 4

Weak. Pushed around by Martinelli who’s half his size. All over the place at the back. Didn’t have the confidence to step out from the back like he usually does.

Van Dijk – 3

Verging on the point of being dropped to be honest. No conviction in anything he does, with this dip in form affecting his ability to lead as well. No communication back there, no one shouting to keep players switched on.

Could have stopped the first goal at source but rather turned his back on Saka. Needs to engage more often. Summed up his wretched display when he allowed a long ball to bounce with Jesus lurking, before colliding with Alisson.

Tsimikas – 4

I struggle to think of one positive thing he did going forward. Offered next to nothing in an attacking sense and was caught out of position for their first. Struggled to get to wraps with Saka. Produced a sensational scissor kick goalline clearance.

Henderson – 3

Poor for their second goal as he failed to engage Martinelli outside the box. Dropped all the way into his own box and got skinned way too easily. Not the most technically gifted so in the face of Arsenal’s press didn’t really pick the right pass every time. Played right wing late on because why not?

Thiago – 4

Grew into the game first half and got the side playing from 15-60. Should have committed a foul to halt the counter for their second. The last half hour today was the poorest I’ve seen him though. Couldn’t pick a diagonal pass to save his life. Adjudged to have fouled Jesus for the penalty. Looked harsh but VAR weren’t interested.

Salah – 3

He looked a shadow of himself and truth is he has all season. Couldn’t beat Tomiyasu all game and was peripheral throughout. Shocking. Hooked.

Jota – 5.5

Was uninvolved for much of the first half playing behind Darwin. Looked much better when he switched to the left wing after Diaz went off. Drove forward on a number of forceful runs. Second half he was poor as his touch kept letting him down, one sumptuous pass to Bobby for the goal aside.

Diaz – 5.5

Was lively till a knee injury saw him taken off before the break. Set Darwin up for his goal after beating Saliba for pace to get on the end of Gabriel’s poor touch before crossing across the face of goal for the big man. Should have done better when he squared up Saliba in the box.

Darwin – 7

Was the only forward who looked like a goal threat for much of the game. Stung Ramsdale’s gloves with a snapshot from a tight angle early on before showing instinctive movement to get on the end of Diaz’s cutback for his goal.

Caused Saliba and Gabriel problems with his runs in behind and saw two or three dangerous crosses not capitalised on by his teammates. Caught offside too many times though.

Substitutes

Firmino – 6.5

On for Diaz before the break. Showed clinical accuracy to fire across Ramsdale and into the net after Jota released him in behind the defence. Half a dozen league goals now, already eclipsing his tally from last season.

Gomez – 6

Fared better one on one against Martinelli.

Konaté – 5

Too eager to win the ball. Stepped out of the backline to try and pinch the ball a few times, unsuccessfully. Gave away a cheap free kick after fouling Martinelli, allowing them to waste time. Not the most comfortable of returns.

Fabinho – 4

Gave away a cheap free kick with his very first involvement. Had the chance to clear his lines after the ball broke to him following a melee in the box. Could only pass it straight to Martinelli. He’s been dreadful this campaign.

Elliott – N/A

On late on to try and provide a bit of inspiration. Showed a few good touches. Went down looking for a penalty but Tierney pulled out of the tackle at the last second.

Jürgen Klopp

Went same again with his lineup in a ballsy move. Four forwards, two midfielders. He can change systems all he likes but if his team continue defending like this it won’t matter a jot. 14 points off the pace and it’s early October. Yikes.