These are the Liverpool player ratings from a 3-1 win over Arsenal.
Liverpool began the match with the typical ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ of team news. Alisson, rumoured to be injured, would start ahead of the much maligned Adrian. New signing Thiago was declared unavailable by Jurgen Klopp until the Merseyside Derby.
Klopp’s boys would dominate the opening 20 minutes, but it was the visitors who would take the surprise lead. Sadio Mane was lucky to stay on the field but made the Gunners pay for it later.
In the first phase in which Arsenal beat the Liverpool press, a deflected cross ricocheted off the shins of Andy Robertson into the path of Alex Lacazette.
The Frenchman scuffed home inside the six yard box, with Alisson incapable of keeping out the shot – although if he struck it well he was well poised.
Liverpool did not feel sorry for themselves after falling behind though, with an immediate quest into Arsenal’s half. After Naby Keita’s tussle with three defenders, Mo Salah got in behind Kieran Tierney. His effort was parried by Bernd Leno, and converted by Sadio Mane.
Minutes later, Robertson made amends for his initial mistake by dinking a deflected cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The second-half began with Arsenal looking to increase intensity, but the high press of Liverpool did not allow them to.
Arsenal’s first big chance came through the aforementioned Lacazette – one-on-one with Alisson Becker. The Brazilian stood tall and excellently denied the former Lyon man.
With a quarter of an hour left, Jurgen Klopp brought on James Milner, and for his Premier League debut for Liverpool – Diogo Jota.
His first involvement was a chance laid on a plate by Salah, but he nervously found the side-netting. The Egyptian then denied him a chance by his sheer desire to get the ball.
But third time was the charm for the Portuguese, with David Luiz’s headed clearance chested down, and volleyed home with ease.
He became the first Liverpool player to score on his Premier League debut at the Kop end since Luis Suarez, and the first in all competitions since new teammate Virgil van Dijk.
Here are our player ratings from today’s match.
The Brazilian was questioned after Liverpool’s home victory over Leeds United, but in the two games since Alisson has seriously proven his worth.
After the penalty save last week at Stamford Bridge, he produced several excellent saves from Alexandre Lacazette, and couldn’t do anything about the goal.
He is truly back to his best.