pwshub.com

Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool PLAYER RATINGS: Who scored a world class goal?

Liverpool twice bounced back to rescue a point against Arsenal as Mohamed Salah scored in the closing moments to keep Arne Slot's title challengers above the Gunners. 

Bukayo Saka's stunning opening strike gave Arsenal an early lead as they struck Liverpool dumbfounded only for Reds captain Virgil van Dijk to respond later in the half.

However, Arne Slot watched his side's defence broken again when new Gunners summer signing Mikel Merino scored his first goal for the club to put the hosts back in charge.

The Premier League title-chasing pair looked set to play out a goalless second-half before Mohamed Salah scored in the 81st minute to rescue a point for Liverpool. 

Mail Sport's Isaan Khan gives his expert player ratings from the Emirates.

Liverpool twice bounced back to rescue a point against Arsenal as Mohamed Salah scored late at the Emirates

Arsenal missed the chance to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1) 

DAVID RAYA: 6.5

Had a good presence in his area. Stood tall as usual in the face of proven attackers.

David Raya stood tall as Liverpool went on the attack but was beaten twice in the game

THOMAS PARTEY: 6.5

Was targeted on that right flank and largely withheld that pressure in a position he doesn’t usually play.

BEN WHITE: 6.5

His assist for Bukayo Saka’s goal was sublime. Kept it together at centre back.

GABRIEL: 7

Stepped up to the plate in a makeshift backline without William Saliba. His substitution on 54 minutes after going down changed the game’s momentum.

Arsenal defender Gabriel (left) stepped up to the plate in a makeshift backline without William Saliba

JURRIEN TIMBER: 6

Beaten by Mo Salah a few times. Though didn’t shy away from the battle.

MIKEL MERINO: 6.5

Rebounded well after giving the ball away to Mo Salah on 14 minutes, and fluffing his lines on a Rice free-kick. Scored with a bullet header off a different Rice free-kick.

Summer signing Mikel Merino impressed as he scored his first goal for Arsenal

DECLAN RICE: 7

Two sublime free-kicks which resulted in a goal — but Merino should have converted both. Important protection in front of the defence.

BUKAYO SAKA: 8

Scored a world-class goal — a nut-meg on Andrew Robertson to leave him on the floor before rifling it past the goalkeeper — and a constant threat.

Bukayo Saka celebrated after scoring a world-class goal to put Arsenal ahead early on

Saka's stunning strike gave Arsenal an early lead against Liverpool inside the opening 10 minutes

LEANDRO TROSSARD: 6.5

Not much action in front of goal but played effective passes to play team-mates through or stretch play out wide.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 7

Brought much energy and kept putting the opposition defence under pressure. Put some nice deliveries in, though will have wanted a better end product.

KAI HAVERTZ: 6

A quiet first half, more involved in the second period. Beaten to the front post on a corner for Liverpool’s first goal.

Manager – MIKEL ARTETA: 6.5

Found a way to cope without Saliba. Kept composed with tactics after Gabriel had to be substituted.

Mikel Arteta kept composed with his Arsenal tactics in a tense and fiery clash

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

CAOIMHIN KELLEHER: 6

Couldn’t have done anything to stop Merino’s bullet header, and Saka’s shot was menacing.

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD: 6

His corner-kick resulted in Liverpool equalising. Had some wild attempts at goal but his pass to Nunez for Mo Salah’s goal was exquisite.

Trent Alexander-Arnold endured mixed fortunes but showcased some pinpoint passing

IBRAHIMA KONATE: 7

Stood out at the back. Strong and got his positioning spot on. His tackle on Martinelli after 31 minutes was contentious.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK: 6

Tried to take ownership on the pitch for his side, getting on the ball often. Had moments of sloppiness in possession. Scored Liverpool’s first goal.

Virgil van Dijk had moments of sloppiness in his game but scored Liverpool's first goal

ANDREW ROBERTSON: 5.5

Struggled against Saka, particularly in the first half.

CURTIS JONES: 6

The impact on his side’s play was limited. Found it a tough night in that midfield area.

RYAN GRAVENBERCH: 6

Overran by Rice and Merino. Difficulty in trying to impose himself with that opposition pairing competing against him.

Ryan Gravenberch (right) found it difficult imposing himself against Arsenal's midfield

ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER: 6

Battled away. A good effort in the face of a tough task.

MO SALAH: 7

Had a good chance on 14 after Merino’s mistake. Beat Timber multiple times and got his goal by the end.

Mohamed Salah was relentless in attacking Arsenal's defence and was eventually rewarded with a goal

DARWIN NUNEZ: 6.5

Went missing in first half and at times his passing was wayward but managed to assist Salah.

LUIS DIAZ: 7

Liverpool’s best attacking outlet. Got an assist for Van Dijk’s goal and at the heart of his side’s best forays.

Manager – ARNE SLOT: 6

Would have hoped to get more from the game with no Saliba, and especially after Gabriel was forced off.

Arne Slot watched his Liverpool side rescue a late draw against Arsenal at the Emirates

Referee – ANTHONY TAYLOR: 6

A big occasion, he controlled the encounter well. Though could be argued that the tackle on Martinelli was a penalty.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Related stories
2 weeks ago - Sofascore have collated their player ratings for every game this term and provided a definitive list of the Premier League's outstanding performers - here, Mail Sport runs the rule over their findings.
1 week ago - Chelsea face a huge test of the Maresca project as they travel to Liverpool in what is the standout game of the weekend, while the under-fire Erik ten Hag will be desperate for a victory against Brentford.
3 weeks ago - Liverpool have a shot at taking a four-point advantage over their Premier League title rivals this weekend as they get us going in the 12:30pm Saturday kick-off against Crystal Palace.
3 days ago - One surprising Premier League star was handed perfect marks alongside Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr in the Champions League team of the week.
1 month ago - NATHAN SALT AT ST MARY'S: Marcus Rashford broke his goalscoring duck and Matthijs de Ligt netted his first for his new club as Manchester United saw out a commanding 3-0 win against Southampton.
Other stories
4 minutes ago - Last Halloween, Jack Draper was en route to winning the modest Bergamo Challenger and inching his ranking from 91 to 82. 
4 minutes ago - Supporters have directed their ire at dropping yet more points towards the officials, drawing particular attention to a 90th-minute incident which saw their side with the ball in the back of the net.
4 minutes ago - The Liverpool legend believes Alexander-Arnold's ambition of winning the Ballon d'Or would be more achievable with the LaLiga giants than the Merseysiders.
1 hour ago - She documented her day out by sharing multiple photos via Instagram alongside the words: 'First time in with the supporters at Stamford Bridge and, no, I was not tall enough to see the goals!'
1 hour ago - SAMI MOKBEL AT THE EMIRATES: The Gunners are facing an anxious wait to discover the extent of the issues to Magalhaes and Timber as Arteta's team finished the game with a makeshift back-four.