Here’s how we rated the Reds following a hard fought draw with Arsenal at the Emirates.
We couldn’t score in a top first-half performance, but put in a wonderful defensive showing in the second as Arsenal recovered which secured us a point.
You’ll see some crazy 8s and 9s given by some fansites in alternate player ratings, but we did only draw the game. Crucially though, nobody who started has scored under a 7 for us – proving how well the team did as a whole.
GK) Simon Mignolet – 7
A smart, measured game by Mignolet. Made all the saves expected of him, including palming away a stretched effort from a close-range Giroud strike. Cleverly wasted time in the second-half to pause Arsenal’s momentum, and got booked for it. He didn’t actually have any very tricky saves to make, unlike his opposite number.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne – 7.5
Faced a massively difficult task against Alexis Sanchez, but dealt with the brilliant Chilean with aplomb. In three matches, he’s not put a foot wrong defensively and is proving to be an outstanding signing. Our biggest improvement from last this season to this is arguably in the fullback areas, and Clyne is half the reason for that. He gets so tight to the attackers, and knows when to try and nip in and steal the ball and when to hold off. Such a pleasure to have him in the side.
DC) Dejan Lovren – 7
The calls for Mamadou Sakho to get in this side will be getting quieter by the week. Rodgers promised that Lovren would improve, and so far he’s been proved right. As a defensive unit, it’s mind-boggling how much we’ve got better over the summer. Lovren made sensible decisions, was unfussy and let Skrtel attack the ball in the air while he made clearances. Three matches, three clean-sheets so far.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 8
Skrtel was an animal this evening. One shaky moment in the first-half when he and James Milner got themselves in a mess apart, the Slovakian was immense – especially aerially. His clearing headers were so clean they almost ended up as through-balls on some occasions. Made interceptions, blocks, clearances and chose when to pass or clear well.
DL) Joe Gomez – 8
Gomez had a shaky first 15 minutes, but grew into the game and got better and better (and better). By the end of it when our backs were against the wall, he had Aaron Ramsey in his pocket – so much so the Welshman moved centrally and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came on and didn’t do any better. He won five tackles, five interceptions, four blocks and a number of duels too. An unbelievable find at £3.5m.
DMC) Lucas – 7.5 (Rossiter – 76′ )
Lucas left to a standing ovation from the travelling Kop and it was deserved. If he’s sold before the end of the window then we’re doing something wrong, because he’s perfect for matches like this – coming in and shoring up the centre of the park. He deserves so much credit for the clean-sheet, and played the kind of disciplined role that Emre Can would arguably have struggled to tonight. Francis Coquelin was great for Arsenal in defensive midfield, but Lucas was better.
MC) Emre Can – 7
The young German was very close to an exceptional performance, but he misplaced too many passes. Allowed to roam though thanks to Lucas’s protection behind, Can displayed what he’ll bring to us this year when used in a freer position. He out battled Santi Cazorla and offered tireless industry and pressing. Will he keep his place when Jordan Henderson returns?
MC) James Milner – 7.5
Stand in captain for the night, Milner led by example. Not only was his work-rate phenomenal, but he made key passes from the middle as well. Milner’s engine is literally unrivalled, and he was unlucky that two strikes fizzed straight at the keeper when he connected well. He’s not known for his height, but he won headers from goal-kicks as well. One of the first names on the team-sheet already.
AMR) Roberto Firmino – 7 (Ibe – 63′)
Not an easy place to make your first proper appearance, but Firmino showed serious promise. One wonderful cross with his left foot should have been buried by Benteke and it’s clear that he’s going to offer us so much when he’s just a bit sharper. Linked up with Benteke well, completed more dribbles than any player on the park – and should start next weekend.
AML) Coutinho – 7.5 (Moreno – 88′ )
Our brilliant Brazilian hit the bar from a Benteke pull-back early on, before forcing Petr Cech into a wonderful save which was tipped onto the post in a frantic first-half in which we really should have taken the lead. Also played Milner through on goal with a delightful through-ball. Tired in the second, and held the ball when he should have passed a few times, but with his ability, he can’t be blamed for that!
FC) Christian Benteke – 7
Has a Liverpool striker ever won more balls in the air than Benteke did this evening? He won 16 headers today, and during the first-half especially, Calum Chambers was getting bullied and embarrassed at the heart of Arsenal’s defence. He missed a sitter though from Firmino’s cross, and while Cech’s save was stunning, Benteke needs to putting those chances away. In terms of his ability to hold the ball up and provide an outlet in a difficult away fixture, few would have done a better job tonight. If he can consistently add goals to that kind of all-round show, he’ll prove to be worth every penny of the £32.5m.
Subs:
Jordon Ibe – 5
Very poor, sadly. We can forgive the ball not running for him, but he didn’t chase back when he lost it. Hopefully the disappointing cameo won’t affect his confidence too much.
Jordan Rossiter – 6
Harried and pressed, but it was a bizarre decision to take off Lucas for the young Englishman. Still, he didn’t let us down.
Alberto Moreno – 6
Comes on and guarantees a world-class run into the opposition area nowadays! Shame he couldn’t finish it with the goal of the season, but provided more cover than Coutinho would down the left. Will likely have to wait for the Europa League for a start due to Gomez’s form, but Moreno’s attitude has been outstanding having been dropped.
