This was undoubtedly one of the few most challenging matches, especially against a very VERY in-form Arsenal who after 3 defeats in the first 3 matches, made up some huge ground. 4 - 0 scoreline against this side may sound flattering but the scoreline could be far more than this if not for the first half heroics of Aaron Ramsdale. And to be fair to him, Ramsdale was the only Arsenal Player who had the biggest positive that match and the gunners have him to thank to limit that rout that would have otherwise been an absolute thrashing. Cause' aside from him, every one else played badly which made our game easier.
GK Alisson Becker - 7
Honestly was not tested all that much because Arsenal wasn't really pushing hard at all, funnily enough. But even if he was, it was pretty routine work for him in the office. Kinda felt like Man Utd again for him because it was similarly easy.
RB Trent Alexander Arnold - 8.5
Goal Contributions: 2 Assists
Contributed 2 more assists which takes him to was it 9 or 10 assists in 6 games for club and country? Staggering either way!
LB Kostas Tsimikas - 8
Not as imperious as TAA but still nonetheless effective and I can tell he really enjoys playing. Gets a start ahead of Andrew Robertson.
CB Joel Matip and Virgil Matip - 7.5 each
The fact that Arsenal didn't really do much kinda makes them look easily look too good. But in reality, they aren't really tested at all, snuffing out Lacazette and Aubameyang, so that's why I'll just describe both of them as a pairing with the same grade each.
DM Fabinho - 9
Breaking up attacks from Arsenal is the reason why Van Dijk and Matip didn't have much to do. And that's what Fabinho does. And he did stop 2 major attacking attempts. Cracking night.
CM: Oxlade Chamberlain - 8.5
Attacking wise he wasn't as good but in defense, especially when tracks back, he does so quickly and does it well. Pretty classy display from Ox.
CM: Thiago - 8
Nearly as class as Ox, Thiago provides the slight creative edge that Liverpool needed.
RW: Mohamed Salah - 8.5
Contribution: 1 Goal
Finally got himself a goal and was causing problems in the right side, often interlinking with Trent expertly.
ST / CF: Diogo Jota - 9
Contribution: 1 Goal
Caused big problems in the center role. And that header pass that triggered the 3rd goal by heading to Mane who assisted for Salah. Got himself a goal before that too! Intercepting the loose ball given away by Nuno Tavares and sending a few defenders and Aaron Ramsdale to the floor. Quite a sweet goal I must say which started he 2nd half rout.
LW: Sadio Mane - 9
Contribution: 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Opened the scoring with that much needed header at the right place, right time. Then assisted for Mo. Back to his sharp best. Even that rib injury during internationals didn't stop him from playing well.
SUBS:
Henderson - 7 Swapped for the Ox to shore up the midfield. The Job's already complete though so it was a pretty routine sub call for the Captain to get some minutes while recovering from some certain injury scares.
Minamino - 8
Contribution: 1 Goal
Subbed on for Jota due to a certain knee issue but didn't take long for him to find the net, 48 seconds in fact to complete the demolition.
Tyler Morton - NA: Swapped for Thiago for his PL Anfield Debut. The damage was already done and the game was already effectively over, but for Tyler to earn some minutes is still nonetheless pretty valueable. Could we see him in the Porto Game? Potentially.
JURGEN KLOPP - 9
Next Game: PORTO! Home!
We drubbed them away 5-1. Now with Qualification to the Knockouts long secured with max 12 points in 4 in the group stages, for sure we can rotate because for our key XI for our next PL Match, we'll need them to stay injury free.
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