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There is always some fireworks when Liverpool plays Arsenal in the Premier League, and this one promised to be no different. With quality players on either side and League positions at stake, the stage got set for a cracking game at Anfield.
The game started at a frenetic pace with Arsenal getting the breakthrough after Ainsley Maitland-Niles slotted home from close range. That goal provoked Liverpool into an immediate reaction as they equalized through Firmino who scored his second a few moments later.
Arsenal's defence was in shambles as Salah teed up Mane for Liverpool's third of the night. The Egyptian then slotted off from the penalty box to make it four for the Reds at the halftime break.
The onus was on the Gunners in the second half, and they did start positively. However, once Firmino got his third and Liverpool's fifth goal, Unai Emery's men stopped to believe after that.
The victory took the Reds nine points clear at the top. On the other hand, it was one of the worst results for Arsenal under Unai Emery and there is a lot to take away for the manager. Here are the player ratings from the game.
Arsenal
Bernd Leno - 5.5/10
Blaming him for the goals would be unfair. The German International was left disappointed by his defence, and he could not do much to stop any of Liverpool's goals.
Stephan Lichtsteiner - 4/10
The Swiss had probably one of his worst performances in an Arsenal shirt. His failed clearance led to Liverpool's equalizer. Later, he left Salah alone to set up Mane for Liverpool's third goal of the night.
Shkodran Mustafi - 5.5/10
Another player who was poor today, Mustafi was easily dodged off by Firmino to score his second goal. Koscielny substituted the German at half-time.
Sokratis - 5.5/10
He fouled Salah in the first half and gave away a ridiculous penalty which the Egyptian brilliantly conveyed. It highlighted the Gunners' fragility and vulnerability in defence.
Sead Kolasinac - 6/10
Kolasinac's recent performances have been praiseworthy, but today he had to deal with the Liverpool force. He had a 1-v-1 battle with Mo Salah, and the Bosnian had a nightmare keeping up with him. He pushed Lovren inside the penalty box in the second half which allowed Firmino to score his hat-trick goal.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 7/10
Arguably the best player for the Gunners, Maitland-Niles not only scored the only goal for Arsenal but provided some threat moving forward down the right side.
Lucas Torreira - 5.5/10
Lucas tried his best to stop the fierce midfield press of Jurgen Klopp's side but troubled living up with their pace. He was quickly disposed of the ball and often gave in to Liverpool's high press football. It was a rare off day at the office for the Uruguayan
Granit Xhaka - 5/10
Xhaka looked agitated with his team's lack of defensive stability and committed some unnecessary fouls. Even when he tried to move up the pitch, Liverpool's defence was well up to their task in stopping the Swiss International.
Alex Iwobi - 6/10
Iwobi looked lively in the first half keeping Alexander-Arnold on his toes and even provided the assist for Maitland-Niles' goal. However, he was nowhere to be seen in the second 45 minutes which summed up Arsenal's night in general.
Aaron Ramsey - 5/10
Aaron Ramsey looked slow and could not make any impact in the attacking third for Arsenal. He got rightfully substituted in the second half.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 5/10
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a disappointing day at the office. He spent most of the time alone upfront without getting any proper service to score.
Substitutes
Laurent Koscielny - 6.5/10
A very experienced central defender, Koscielny replaced Mustafi at halftime to stop Liverpool from heaping further miseries. His introduction could not change the course of the game but indeed stooped the away side from further embarrassment.
Alexandre Lacazette - 6/10
The Frenchman dropped off a few times to get the ball, but there was no support up front for him. He got isolated like Aubameyang and could not make any impact as he had done this season.
Matteo Guendouzi - 5/10
He got introduced very late in the game to see off the match and did precisely that.
Liverpool
Alisson Becker - 7/10
The Brazillian conceded early in the game, but since then his distribution and handling were immaculate. Alisson was also instrumental in Liverpool's fourth goal where his quick pass to Salah allowed him to run ragged at the Arsenal defence which led to the Egyptian winning and converting a penalty.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6.5/10
Alexander-Arnold provided width in the right flank and supported Salah well in attack. Apart from Arsenal's only goal, he did his best to stand up to Iwobi to stop crosses from the left side.
Dejan Lovren - 7/10
Lovren partnered well with Van Dijk and always provided cover for the Dutchman. It was another solid performance from the Croatian.
Virgil van Dijk - 7.5/10
Liverpool's captain of the night, Virgil van Dijk was solid as usual. He had to deal with one of the best strikers in the Premier League this season which the Dutch International did brilliantly.
Andrew Robertson - 7/10
Robertson was up for it from the first whistle and ran continuously till he got substituted in the second half. He not only provided width in the flanks but helped out the defence as well. However, the Scottish International was guilty of not tracking the run of Maitland-Niles for Arsenal's goal.
Fabinho - 7/10
The former Monaco midfielder took some time to get into the game. He gave away a few easy passes in the early stages allowing the Gunners to put pressure on the home side. However as the game progressed, his interceptions and positioning improved as well.
Georginio Wijnaldum - 7/10
Wijnaldum continued giving it his all as he stopped Arsenal attacks tormented the likes of Xhaka and Torreira in midfield. Without Henderson and Milner, Klopp could always rely on the Dutchman to give his 100 percent, and he got the same today as well.
Xherdan Shaqiri - 7.5/10
Shaqiri started today alongside the deadly front three and supported them from the midfield. He played a couple of brilliant defence-splitting passes which is an example of the Swiss' class and vision. Shaqiri had a shot from outside the box in the second half, but it was straight at Leno on goal.
Sadio Mane - 7.5/10
Mane kept Lichsteiner on his toes since the first whistle. His pace and power were something the Arsenal man had trouble dealing it. The Senegalese scored Liverpool's third of the night and created a great chance for himself at the start of the second half.
Roberto Firmino - 9/10
Roberto Firmino became the all-time leading Brazilian scorer in the Premier League after his hat-trick against Arsenal. If the first one came under fortunate circumstances, the second was a sheer display of elegance, skill, and class. He rounded off a fantastic night with a brilliant penalty in the second half.
Mohamed Salah - 8/10
It was a battle between league top two scorers - Mo Salah and Aubameyang, and the Egyptian deservedly came out on top. First, he set up Mane beautifully for Liverpool's third and then converted a penalty which he earned himself to score the Reds' fourth goal of the day.
Substitutes
Jordan Henderson - 7/10
The England International came in the second half to give some stability in the midfield. He looked solid and even tried few shots from outside the box to increase Liverpool's lead.
Adam Lallana - 5/10
Klopp introduced Lallana when the game was already done and dusted. He got some game time which would be good for the side and himself moving forward.
Nathaniel Clyne - NA
Clyne came on very late in the game to make an impact.
