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Liverpool vs Arsenal: Virgil van Dijk ‘imperious’, but who lived dangerously?

By Russell Hughes

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: James Milner of Liverpool celebrates with Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho of Liverpool after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: James Milner of Liverpool celebrates with Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho of Liverpool after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool and Arsenal played out the biggest Premier League game of the weekend and finished up evens – but what did the papers say about the clash?

Virgil van Dijk had another excellent game, while Brazilian Fabinho was named in the starting XI again after taking his sweet time to adjust to life on Merseyside.

To seasoned Reds fans, its no surprise that van Dijk picks up plaudits nearly every time he takes to the field. Saturday afternoon was no different.

The Liverpool Echo gave the Dutchman an impressive 9/10 match rating and commented that he was in ‘imperious’ form. The Express wasn’t so convinced, grading van Dijk as a 7/10 while the Independent was slightly more generous – offering an 8/10.

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Unusually for a defender, his match rating could have been downgraded for profligacy at the other end. The former Southampton man missed a one-on-one, hit the post and directed another free header straight at Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

On the other hand, Fabinho found the game a little tougher and failed to impress Liverpool fans or his manager Jurgen Klopp.

The Echo thought the Brazilian was behind the pace of the game at times and that resulted in a few bad tackles being made. Subsequently, they awarded the former Monaco man a 6/10. The Express and Indy were less enthused, saying Fabinho lived life on the edge and gave him a 5/10 rating.

Mohamed Salah was also a threat and is starting to look back to his best, while even though Roberto Firmino isn’t scoring regularly so far, he’s still making a nuisance of himself and hit the bar.

The Daily Mail went for a pair of 6s for Salah and Firmino, while Mane was the best of the three and earned himself a 6.5/10.

What did we make of van Dijk, Fabinho, Salah and Firmino? Read our player ratings now!. dark. Next

Salah was called ‘a constant worry’ by the tabloid, Firmino ‘ran out of steam’ while Mane worked hard and improved as the game wore on.

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