Liverpool’s Jekyll and Hyde season continued as they defeated Arsenal 3-1 in another great encounter featuring the Reds. While they were poor against Leicester City on Monday, they were brilliant in the first half against Arsenal as they took a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Arsenal switched things around as they brought on Alexis Sanchez in the second half and the Chilean setup Danny Welbeck to make it 2-1. Both sides had chances to extend the lead but Liverpool got the three points thanks to a late goal from Georginio Wijnaldum.
The win lifted the Reds to the top four while Arsenal’s chances took a massive blow. There were a number of stars on display for the Reds and we rate the players for the Merseyside club.
Simon Mignolet – 7/10
The Belgian wasn’t really troubled by shots in the first half but pulled off a great save from Olivier Giroud in the second half. Mignolet could have done better for the goal conceded but had a decent game otherwise.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
Clyne was bombing up and down the right flank as he does and he did well in the game. The Englishman did have a couple of chances to put in a great ball but missed the mark.
Ragnar Klavan – 8/10
A rock at the back for the side, Klavan was brought in for Lucas and he was immense in keeping Olivier Giroud quiet throughout the game.
Joel Matip – 8/10
Matip had a great first half and even though he was put under pressure in the second half, he played well. It was his block on Sanchez’s shot in the last few seconds that led to the third goal for the Reds.
James Milner – 7/10
The Englishman had another decent game for the Reds. The captain for the night, Milner was tackling hard and ensuring the Merseyside club kept an upper hand on Arsenal.
Emre Can – 7.5/10
The German had a great first half as he battled hard and kept the Arsenal attack at bay by slotting in as a third centre back. Can was rightly booked for a poor challenge on Sanchez to stop play in the second half and even took a kick from Matip as he tried to get back.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 8/10
The midfielder does seem to come up with big performances against the big teams and he notched up the third goal for the Reds with a great run and finish.
Adam Lallana – 8/10
Had it not been for Mane, Lallana would have won the man of the match honours. The Englishman was everywhere and his commitment to the cause could be seen by his endless running in the game. It was his decision making that led Origi to setup the third goal for the Reds late in the game.
Philippe Coutinho – 7/10
Coutinho looked sharp at the start of the game and it was his miscue that led to the first goal. The Brazilian did have a great chance to score Liverpool’s third but shot straight at Petr Cech at point blank range and was the first player to be substituted by the Reds.
Sadio Mane – 8/10
What would Liverpool do without Mane? The Senegalese was a pain for Arsenal with his speed and trickery and assisted the first goal before scoring the second of the game.
Roberto Firmino – 7.5/10
Firmino scored the opening goal of the game with a smart finish and assisted for the second. Firmino was running, just like the rest of the team and put in a great shift as well.
Substitutes
Divock Origi – 7/10
The Belgian replaced Coutinho and almost scored the third when his header hit the post from a free-kick. Origi did play a part in the third goal thanks to a great run and pass for Wijnaldum.
Lucas Leiva – NA
Lucas was brought on in stoppage time and didn’t really have a lot to do.
Trent-Alexander Arnold – NA
