Player ratings: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
I said before the game that after our last two games against the gunners, we needed to put them back in their place and with such a dominant display, we certainly did that. Anyway, without further ado…
Alisson (9) – Unlucky for the goal, as he tried to anticipate where Lacazette was going to shoot, only for the Frenchman to completely mishit it and the ball went spinning agonisingly over Alisson’s head. Faultless for the rest of the game however, as he read the game expertly playing the sweeper keeper role and twice thwarted Lacazette in a one on one situation, the latter of the two was onside and would have given Arsenal a very undeserved equaliser. That’s what you pay the big bucks for a world class keeper for however and he once again justified that price tag last night.
TAA (7) – Trent hasn’t been his usual self since the season restarted but last night showed some of his form start to return, with a fantastic assist for Robbo’s goal. Almost played us into trouble on a number of occasions however with sloppy passing in his own half. Lots more to come from Trent but signs he’s getting back up to speed.
Gomez (7) – I actually don’t remember too much of Gomez last night but that’s a good thing from your CB. What I will say though, is I don’t remember too much of Aubameyang either as Joe did a good job of containing him. Steady on the night and one excellent challenge late on.
Van Dijk (7) – Dominant in both boxes and played some nice long diagonals. Constantly shouting and keeping the offside trap tight, which was only thwarted once in the 90 minutes. I’m tempted to say he should have cleared it in the build up to their goal but I won’t 😉
Robertson (7) – As I said, I’m tempted to blame big Virgil for the goal but all joking aside, horrible mistake from Robbo for their goal. The worst kind of miscue where you take all the pace off the ball and send it spinning over you own head and right into the path of the attacker, who actually similarly miscued over Alisson. Robbo said in his post match interview that a couple of seasons back, that mistake would have got to him but no such mental weakness now as not long after, he scored the goal that would ultimately be the winner. Great run, nice touch and finish. That’s a goal and two assists in three games. Not a bad start to the season.
Fabinho (7.5) – Good to see him back in midfield and a really dominant display in the middle of the park. Snuffed out any service in Aubameyang’s direction and doubled up on him with either Trent or Gomez whenever he got the ball, thus displaying that lessons have been learned from the charity shield. Once again showed his expert one v one tackling in a tussle with Lacazette and even had a foray forward or two.
Keita (6) – I feel like I could just copy and paste the rating for Keita, Gini and Bobby. You have to take your hat off to them for their pressing. It’s impossible to contain a team as good as Arsenal in the way we did without all players doing their part. I just feel on the ball, more quality and responsibility is needed. I lost count of how many times Keita ran down a blind alley and lost possession last night and struggled to make his mark in any kind of attacking sense.
Wijnaldum (6) – As with Keita, can’t fault his work rate without the ball but no quality passing from the centre of the pitch at all. If Gini is leaving next summer, I expect it will be him who makes way for Thiago, more than most.
Salah (5) – We saw the good, the bad and the ugly side of Salah last night. We’ll start with the good. Looked really lively first half, he was giving Tierney a torrid time of it, as the Scot just couldn’t handle Salah’s pace but more obviously, his strength. Forced his way past him in the build up to Mane’s goal, forcing the keeper to palm it away for a tap in. Second half however, the bad side of Salah, taking on a shot in the box, from an acute angle and with a number of bodies ahead of him, when we had a number of players in the box that could have been set up. A ridiculous decision that had the commentators actually laughing about it but then the ugly… (shakes with rage)… After some nice build up play, the ball lands at Jota’s feet, in a brilliant position to score. Salah bombs forward, so desperate for it himself that he actually tackles Jota and the chance is gone. It was ludicrous and I refuse to accept this nonsense about goal scorers instinct. They all have that but they’re not all selfish to the detriment of their team and the risk of their team spirit. We’ve seen Mane lose it with him over this stuff and I can’t imagine Jota will enjoy it for long. I said on the thread that the way Salah plays, is an insult to the word ‘team’ and if I’d been Klopp I’d have subbed him immediately after that incident. Anyway, rant over but docked 2 points for his second half shenanigans.
Firmino (6) – Like Gini and Keita, brilliant pressing and work rate but literally nothing else. I think Bobby’s confidence is a bit shot as he isn’t even getting in goal scoring positions anymore. He’s never been prolific but he used to get a number of chances a game which don’t seem to be coming now. He used to dazzle with bits of individual skill as well but I’m struggling to remember the last time Bobby provided a ‘wow’ moment of any kind. If he can’t find some form soon, his place could be seriously under threat in the near future.
Mane (9) – Started the game like a man possessed as he was almost immediately booked for a fairly aggressive elbow into Tierney. It did nothing to quell the flames however as he pressed like a demon, won the ball back countless times, scored the equaliser and generally terrorised Arsenal all night. Rob Holding looked a broken man at times. Raging when Klopp took him off and I think we were all surprised but the yellow card probably had something to do with it. Sensational display from the Senegalese however and enough to earn McMane the McMOTM award for the second consecutive game. I know it’s early but I fancy Mane for PL player of the season this year.
Subs:
Milner (6) – Being used more and more as the experienced head to come on and see a game out.
Jota (7) – Only on the pitch 10 minutes and he could’ve had a hat trick. Should have done better with his first chance, tackled by Salah (grrr) for his second but made no mistake with the third as he showed expert technique to control and volley the ball, low into the corner of the net. Will do wonders for his confidence and a really exciting addition to the squad.
Minamino (N/A) – Probably pissed off Klopp made him take his tracksuit off for 30 seconds game time.
Klopp-watch (10) – What a machine Klopp has built at Liverpool, we truly do look unstoppable at times. Ripped into Roy Keane as well, not too many managers have had the plums to do that over the years. What a guy, you’ve gotta love him.
Summary
Sometimes, you almost feel sorry for the opposition. Almost. It didn’t matter what Arsenal tried last night, it simply didn’t work. Bless them, they tried their best to play out from the back but that’s our bread and butter. I never know why managers attempt it against us but long may it last. Arsenal would manage about four passes before we either won it back, or forced them to kick it out of play. It was a recurring theme all night. If they did try to chip it long, there was Virgil or Fabinho to nod it straight back. It must be exhausting.
It’s only taken three games of the season but we’ve already set the standard and laid down the gauntlet to the rest of the league. After a shaky start against Leeds, we’ve systematically destroyed Chelsea and Arsenal in the subsequent matches, while barely getting out of third gear. It’s difficult to see any of the current crop taking our title this season. I think Klopp has Guardiola beaten mentally and the rest are simply nowhere near good enough. We’re a well oiled machine at the peak of our powers and the arrivals of Thiago and Jota, only enforce our already formidable team. What a time to be an LFC fan.
On that happy note, I’ll wrap this one up. Until next time, walk on Troops.
Recent Comments