Going into a tough fixture against the Gunners at the Anfield, Liverpool found two un-likely goal scorers on the night as they came back from a goal to seal a point on Wednesday. The defensive frailties of both the clubs were on show as it was an open end to end contest at Anfield.
Liverpool will feel they deserve a point after their performance while Arsenal will be tepid losing 2 points right at the death. Here are the player ratings for the Liverpool team on the night:
Simon Mignolet (2):
Was beaten on the near post for the first goal and was clumsy in Giroud’s first. The Belgian shot-stopper did not help his case as the first choice shot stopper at Liverpool and needs to improve drastically to stay there next season.
Nathaniel Clyne (3.5):
Should do a lot of work on his crosses from the flanks but was generally ever available for his club on the flank making numerous runs behind the defense. Was also sound defensively giving Arsenal no space down his end.
Kolo Toure (2.5):
Struggled to get he better of Olivier Giroud for most of the game and was also not as comfortable at the back as he would have liked. He needs to work on his clearing abilities as he almost put his team under pressure a couple of times with poor clearances.
Mamadou Sakho (2.5):
Not the best night for the French International Mamadou Sakho who struggled with his range of passing and gave away the ball far too cheaply when playing from the back. But was sound defensively going body to body against Giroud in the final third.
Alberto Moreno (2.5):
He was caught out a number of times in defense as Arsenal found great joy down his flank. However, was his usual active self covering ground up and down his flank and always gave Liverpool an outlet in the final third.
Emre Can (3.5):
A busy night in the mid-field for the German as he tried to command the center of the pitch giving Arsenal no time on the ball. His shot resulted in Liverpool’s first goal.
Jordan Henderson (3.5):
The Liverpool skipper was everywhere on the night as he put in a great shift in the mid-field. He was superb in possession spraying some great passes for his team mates and was also available for the team when defending.
James Milner (3):
Another energetic performance from the England International who was full of running the whole game. He made a number of crucial interceptions and put great pressure on the Arsenal mid-field giving them no time on the ball.
Adam Lallana (2.5):
Played a supporting role in some attacks and used his tricky feet to keep possession in tough areas but has to do a lot more than what he did to justify a place in Klopp’s starting XI at Liverpool.
Jordan Ibe (2.5):
Had plenty of possession of the ball down the right hand side but hardly created a chance for his side. But was willing to take his man on penning the Arsenal back four in their penalty area.
Roberto Firmino (4):
Could have had a first half hatrick when his ball went out off the cross bar. Firmino was scintillating in the first half as his instinctive finish gave Liverpool and early lead before his superb finish from the edge of the box saw Liverpool take the lead once again. Could not maintain that level of intensity in the second half and slowly faded away.
SUBS:
Christian Benteke (3):
Won the most important header that set Allen on equalizer but was not mobile enough to create any kind of problems for the Arsenal back four.
Joe Allen (3.5):
Took a risk and put his foot through the ball from Benteke’s header to give Liverpool a point from this game after coming on as a sub and changing the tempo of the game.
Steven Caulker (2.5):
Played all over the pitch as he got some valuable time on the field in a Red shirt.