Starting XI
Alisson – 6
Can’t be blamed for either goal at the half. Had one great save.
Trent (subbed HT) – 2
Did not do well for Arsenal’s opening goal but was worse for the second. In a 3v3 breakaway, he inexplicably pushes wide to join Henderson in defense and finds himself completely uselessly positioned as the play develops. Anyone watching can understand why he was hooked a half-time.
Matip (subbed 69′) – 5
A few loose touches. A few good moments. He looked a little tired and below his best level, but not the main culprit defensively.
Virgil – 4
Looked uncertain in too many situations. Ridiculous decision to let the ball bounce with Jesus running at him late in the match.
Tsimikas – 7
Really strong performance individually, capped off by a goal-line scissor-kick clearance that counted for nothing as the whistle could have already been blown.
Henderson – 6
The captain had energy and endeavour on the day that wasn’t seen enough from the others on the pitch and had a great pass to Jota who then assisted Firmino.
Thiago – 5
Not his best day, but we expect more from him.
Salah (subbed 69′) – 4
Did little to nothing of note.
Darwin – 6
Wasn’t electric, but played well and scored with a deft touch, showing a little bit of what we want to see more of from the new striker.
Jota (subbed 81′) – 6
Great assist, but struggle to have an impact otherwise, getting loose in possession as the game dragged on, which appears to be why he was subbed off.
Diaz (subbed 42′) – 7
A bright spark as always with a fantastic assist to equalize, but fizzle out with an injury. Fingers crossed on that one.
Substitutes
Firmino (42′) – 7
Brilliant finish for the 2nd equalizer, perfectly placed. Good substitute appearance, but didn’t offer much in the final twenty minutes.
Gomez (HT) – 7
Earned himself a start by doing everything right compared to Trent.
Fabinho (69′) – 5
Still not at the level we’ve come to expect.
Konaté (69′) – 6
Looked very much like himself out there. Good to have him back.
Elliott (81′) – n/a
Had a couple moments that almost developed, but didn’t make much of an impact.
The Manager
Jurgen Klopp -6
Faces away as Saka nets the winner from the spot. Can’t blame him. Did what he could with the subs.
The Referee
Michael Oliver – 1
VAR should have overturned the first goal when Saka’s offside in the build-up was detected, but no such help for Michael Oliver, who made a couple of his own mistakes, not calling an obvious handball in the box and later giving a soft penalty. Had a bigger direct effect on the outcome than any single player.
