Liverpool player ratings vs Arsenal: Two 8/10s denied victory as Gunners fight back | Football | Sport
Liverpool surrendered a two-goal lead at home to Arsenal in a game which saw boos ring out for Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s introduction from the bench. Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz notched a quickfire first-half double to put the hosts in control.
But Alisson picked out goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino after the break, as Liverpool fumbled a result which would have placed extra emphasis on their already-confirmed Premier League title win. Arsenal finished the game a man down when Merino was shown a second yellow card, but the Reds could not capitalise. Here, Express Sport takes you through how each Liverpool player performed on the day…
Liverpool player ratings vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Alisson: 7
Made a good few saves, including one onto the post from Martin Odegaard’s long-range effort. Nothing he could have done about Merino turning in the rebound, or Martinelli’s opener.
Conor Bradley: 6 (Alexander-Arnold, 67)
Blitzed Martinelli for pace and got a low cross in which Diaz should have scored from, and made an excellent sliding block on Martinelli in the second half. But certainly some issues. A little too ferocious into the tackle sometimes, and didn’t do anywhere near enough to stop the Leandro Trossard cross which led to Martinelli’s goal.
Ibrahima Konate: 6
A steady afternoon’s work. Played a great ball through to Bradley which created a big chance for Diaz.
Virgil van Dijk: 6
Uncharacteristically quiet game for the skipper.
Andrew Robertson: 8
Created a clear opening for Gakpo with a precise ball over the top. Moments after that came to nothing, he crossed in for the Dutchman to head home. Also got stuck into Bukayo Saka during their one-on-one battle.
Ryan Gravenberch: 6 (Elliott, 83)
Some steady dribbling and passing but not as influential as he could have been.
Curtis Jones: 6 (Mac Allister, 67)
Played an excellent outside-of-the-boot pass to Mohamed Salah which created a big chance for Diaz. But got tackled by Thomas Partey in his own box, which really should have led to an Arsenal goal early in the game.
Assumed the role of playmaker to devastating effect in the first half. Set up multiple chances for Diaz and sent a beauty over the top for Dominik Szoboszlai which led directly to Liverpool‘s second goal of the game.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 7
Superb run was found by Salah and then produced a pinpoint cross for Diaz to tap into a half-empty net.
Cody Gakpo: 8 (Nunez, 66)
William Saliba had the beating of him early on but he made up for that by heading home Robertson’s cross. Won a dangerous free-kick later in the game after an eye-catching individual run.
Luis Diaz: 7 (Jota, 79)
Tapped in Szoboszlai’s cross but could easily have had more. Should have done better when the ball fell to him inside the box in the eighth minute.
SUBS
Darwin Nunez: 6
No goal for the Uruguayan on yet another substitute appearance.
Heckled by his own supporters after announcing his departure, which won’t have been a pleasant experience.
Alexis Mac Allister: 6
Unable to turn the tide during a 25-minute cameo.
Diogo Jota: N/A
A late addition.
Harvey Elliott: N/A
A late addition.
