Arsenal vs Liverpool, player ratings: Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker make rare defensive errors

Two key figures at the back made uncharacteristic errors

Arsenal made the most of defensive errors to come from behind and beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier League.

Sadio Mane opened the scoring when he turned home Andy Robertson’s cross from the left at the near post, before almost doubling the lead minutes later.

The Reds were dominant for most of the first half, but a Virgil van Dijk error allowed Alexandre Lacazette in to nab an equaliser on the half-hour mark and another from Alisson saw Reiss Nelson turn the game around before the break.

Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated the second half and went close through Mohamed Salah and Mane, but they couldn’t find a way through the massed ranks of the home defence.

Here are the player ratings from the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Arsenal celebrate their second goal, scored by Reiss Nelson (2020 Pool)

Arsenal

Emi Martinez – 6. Lucky to get away with one after clearing against Firmino and onto the post. Easily beaten for the goal. Took high balls well though.

Rob Holding – 7. His battle with Sadio Mane was one of the ongoing themes of the match, but he held his own for the most part.

David Luiz – 7. A couple of good blocks early in the second half.

Kieran Tierney – 6. Tucked in on the left of the defence, filled the spaces well on the cover and passed out when he could.

Cedric Soares – 5. Hard-pressed to keep tracking Mane and Robertson. Difficult job, in fairness.

Lucas Torreira – 7. Physical, tough, didn’t stop running. Booked soon after half-time, then subbed.

Granit Xhaka – 6. Very easily bypassed in a two-man midfield system. Didn’t really get close enough to Liverpool’s midfield to pressure them. Customary yellow card.

Bukayo Saka – 7. Good defensive work, helped out his back line. Got forward to good effect when he had the opportunity.

Reiss Nelson – 6. Hardly involved in the first half until he scored. Subbed soon after the break.

Alexandre Lacazette – 7. Constant workhorse. Took his goal well and set up another to punish defensive errors.

Nicolas Pepe – 5. Anonymous. Touched the ball 11 times in the first half.

Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson celebrate Liverpool’s opener (2020 Pool)

Liverpool

Alisson Becker – 5. Left exposed for the equaliser then gifted Arsenal another.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7. Some decent passages of build-up play he was involved in and covered well in defence.

Joe Gomez – 7. More assured in his defensive work after lax recent displays. Recovered well in two one-on-one situations.

Virgil van Dijk – 5. Dominant to start with but then made a dreadful error for the equaliser. Tried to claim a foul. It wasn’t.

Andrew Robertson – 8. Excellent in both halves. The most intense and aggressive runner on the pitch. Good low cross for the opener.

Fabinho – 6. Not as influential as usual. Neat on the ball but lacking intensity.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6. Made plenty of forward runs without getting much reward.

Gini Wijnaldum – 5. Perspiration over inspiration. Headed a decent chance over.

Mohamed Salah – 6. Too hurried with the ball in the box, trying to get off shots without considering alternative options. Saw his best chance of the game saved after hitting it straight at Martinez.

Roberto Firmino – 6. Started in lively fashion, causing problems between the centre-backs and involved in the goal. Faded afterward.

Sadio Mane – 8. Man of the match. Great movement for the goal. Always available for the out-ball, happy to glide past challenges non-stop and a creative force all night. Gave Holding a real battle.