Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal PLAYER RATINGS: Joel Matip steals the show as David Luiz endures afternoon to forget at Anfield

  • Liverpool made it 12 league wins in a row with a 3-1 victory against Arsenal
  • Mohamed Salah scored twice to add gloss to the win after Joel Matip's opener
  • Lucas Torreira netted a late consolation as Arsenal tried to rally in final stages 
  • Sportsmail was on hand to assess both sets of players during the 90 minutes 

Mohamed Salah turned on the style as Liverpool made it 12 Premier League wins in a row with victory over Arsenal on Saturday night. 

The Gunners had flashes of brilliance but soon collapsed in the second half when Liverpool's Egyptian forward ran David Luiz inside out.  

Sportsmail ran the rule over both sides... 

Liverpool turned on the style to beat a quick Arsenal side 3-1 at Anfield on Saturday evening

Liverpool turned on the style to beat a quick Arsenal side 3-1 at Anfield on Saturday evening

 

Liverpool (4-3-3)

Adrian - 5.5 


Couple of heart-stopping moments with the ball at his feet, balanced by a couple of decent blocks, but remains a roller coaster ride for Liverpool fans.

Trent Alexander Arnold - 6.5 

Given tons of space early and delivered some magnificent crosses without an end result. Arsenal eventually wised up and less of a factor thereafter.

Joel Matip - 9 

Took the opening goal brilliantly with a strong header in a crowded six-yard box. Showed discipline in defence with Arsenal a threat on the break.

Joel Matip produced a bullet header to open the scoring and showed discipline in defence

Joel Matip produced a bullet header to open the scoring and showed discipline in defence

Virgil van Dijk - 7

Not often the Dutch master is troubled but Pepe was a handful and actually dribbled past him once. A rare blip though.

Andy Robertson - 6.5 

Another defender to be caught out badly by Pepe on one occasion although his attacking work and energy were as impressive as ever.

Jordan Henderson - 6.5 

Bad mistake gifted Arsenal their best first half chance but turned in his usual steady, selfless display with good use of the ball.

Jordan Henderson found his rhythm and was steady after a bad mistake early on

Jordan Henderson found his rhythm and was steady after a bad mistake early on

Fabinho - 8 

The only Liverpool player not to attempt a first half shot but no less effective for that fact. Added much needed protection and a great pass for third goal.

Georginio Wijnaldum - 7.5 

Usual workaholic performance in midfield, leading the charge so many times as his side launched their full court press. Deservedly given a rest after 70 minutes.

Mohamed Salah - 8.5 

Quiet first half, by his standards, but won then converted his penalty in devastating fashion and was rampant after that.

Mohamed Salah put a quiet first half behind him as he netted a brace in devastating fashion

Mohamed Salah put a quiet first half behind him as he netted a brace in devastating fashion

Roberto Firmino - 6.5 

A rare outing when he did NOT score against the Gunners but not for lack of trying. Busy, selfless and alert.

Sadio Mane - 6.5 

Still working his way back into full match fitness and a little short of his devastating, lethal best but still showed great work rate.

Subs: James Milner (for Wijnaldum, 69) 6, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for Mane, 77) 6, Adam Lallana (for Firmino, 85)

Subs not used: Kelleher, Gomez, Shaqiri, Origi.

 

Arsenal (4-1-2-1-2) 

Bernd Leno - 7 

Showed good concentration and, more importantly, good with the ball at his feet as Liverpool pressed Arsenal deep inside their own penalty box.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 6 

Couple of unforced errors showed his youth but stuck to it and improved as the game wore on despite the threat of Robertson on the flank.

David Luiz - 4.5 

Arsenal needed all his know-how and experience but was badly exposed and embarrassed by giving away the second half penalty and had a nightmare for the third.

David Luiz was exposed and was left embarrassed after giving away a second half penalty

David Luiz was exposed and was left embarrassed after giving away a second half penalty

Sokratis - 5 

Beaten by Matip's jump for the opening goal and seemed to wilt as Liverpool threatened to really run rampant after the break.

Nacho Monreal - 6.5 

Incredibly busy afternoon up against Alexander-Arnold, stuck to his task but it became ever more difficult as the night wore on.

Granit Xhaka - 6.5 

Base of the midfield diamond that Emery opted to play and made some important tackles and interceptions; used the ball well too.

Matteo Guendouzi - 5 

Caught wrestling with van Dijk while Matip headed the home side in front and looked a little overwhelmed at times when Liverpool had the Gunners under the cosh.

Joe Willock - 5 

Couple of nice passes but not much of an impact apart from that as he and his midfield colleagues spent the evening chasing Liverpool's dominant midfield.

Joe Willock spent the evening chasing Liverpool's more experienced - and dominant - midfield

Joe Willock spent the evening chasing Liverpool's more experienced - and dominant - midfield

Dani Ceballos - 5.5 

Still finding his feet in the helter skelter of top level Premier League action and was the logical man for Emery to sacrifice after an hour.

Nicolas Pepe - 7 

Showed glimmers of huge potential, especially on the counter-attack, though might have done better with a couple of first half chances.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6 

Showed quick thinking when Adrian's poor clearance landed at his feet and almost lobbed Arsenal ahead. Flashes of a promising pairing with newboy Pepe.

Subs: Lucas Torreira (for Ceballos, 61) 7, Alexandre Lacazette (for Willock, 80) Henrikh Mkhitaryan (for Guendouzi, 85)

Subs not used: Martinez, Chambers, Nelson, Kolasinac.

Ref: Anthony Taylor 8

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had flashes of brilliance but was unable to punish Liverpool

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had flashes of brilliance but was unable to punish Liverpool