Bobby Firmino takes the match ball – Player ratings from Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal

Liverpool were supreme against Arsenal as we pumped five past Unai Emery’s men. Surprisingly we conceded the opening goal of the game as Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored in the 11^th minute.

However, the lead did not last long as a mix-up in the Arsenal defence allowed Roberto Firmino to score in an empty net.

The Brazilian followed it up with another brilliant goal in the 14^th minute as he single-handedly took the defence apart and slotted past Bernd Leno.

Mohamed Salah set up Sadio Mane for our third before we got a late penalty in the first half which the Egyptian scored.

We got another pen in the second after Dejan Lovren was fouled, and Salah allowed Firmino to capture his hat-trick and take home the match ball.

The win, coupled with Tottenham’s loss, opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the table before Manchester City played, and here are our player ratings from the clash.

Alisson – 7.5/10

The Brazilian commanded the box well but couldn’t do much for the goal conceded. Alisson’s distribution was great too as his laser pass helped win our first pen.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10

The Englishman had an alright game at the back but his passing wasn’t always on point.

Dejan Lovren – 7/10

Gave the ball away for Arsenal’s goal and was out of position but got us a penalty in the second half.

Virgil van Dijk – 7.5/10

The Dutch defender had a decent game at the back as he ensured Arsenal couldn’t create more after that first goal.

Andy Robertson – 7/10

The Scot was tested a lot by Maitland-Niles and had to be careful after picking up a yellow card. The left-back helped create the third goal too.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 8.5/10

Wijnaldum wasn’t amongst the goals but he did a great job in keeping Arsenal in check and kept our midfield ticking.

Fabinho – 7/10

The Brazilian had some iffy moments as his passing wasn’t on point but had a much better game in the second half.

Xherdan Shaqiri – 7.5/10

Shaqiri did really well as he helped out in attack and also did his bit by chasing the Arsenal players down.

Sadio Mane – 8.5/10

Got a well-deserved goal in the first half and his performance was brilliant as he made life difficult for Arsenal’s defence.

Roberto Firmino – 9/10

Firmino brought Liverpool back into the game as he kept running for the first goal, got a brilliant second and was given the pen for the third goal. A fine hat-trick for some quality performances throughout the season.

Mohamed Salah – 7.5/10

The Egyptian didn’t have a great game, to be honest. He scored a pen, assisted Mane’s goal but he was not the best of our attackers.

Substitutes

Jordan Henderson – 6/10

The captain came on to calm things down and give us more control in the second half.

Adam Lallana – 5/10

Came on to give Wijnaldum a well-deserved break.

Read more: “He can play Premier League football this season” – Klopp provides encouraging update on injured Englishman

Nathaniel Clyne – NA

The right-back came on to give Robertson a rest.