Who needs Trent Alexander-Arnold?! Certainly not Liverpool! Dominik Szoboszlai once again did an outstanding job filling in at right-back in Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Arsenal at Anfield – before then deciding the game in the home side’s favour with the kind of fantastic free-kick that Trent made his trademark.
It was a moment of outrageous quality completely at odds with the dross that preceded it, as the top two teams from last season seemed reluctant to take too many risks at this early stage of the season.
The champions won’t care, though, as they once again managed to win a game in which they hadn’t played particularly well to go top of the table, three points clear of their main title rivals.
BALLGM rates all of the Liverpool players on show as the Reds ended a run of six Premier League games without a win against Arsenal with a hard-fought 1-0 victory…
Who needs Trent Alexander-Arnold?! Certainly not Liverpool! Dominik Szoboszlai once again did an outstanding job filling in at right-back in Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Arsenal at Anfield – before then deciding the game in the home side’s favour with the kind of fantastic free-kick that Trent made his trademark.
It was a moment of outrageous quality completely at odds with the dross that preceded it, as the top two teams from last season seemed reluctant to take too many risks at this early stage of the season.
The champions won’t care, though, as they once again managed to win a game in which they hadn’t played particularly well to go top of the table, three points clear of their main title rivals.
BALLGM rates all of the Liverpool players on show as the Reds ended a run of six Premier League games without a win against Arsenal with a hard-fought 1-0 victory…
Alisson Becker (6/10):
Made one decent stop from Madueke during the first half but, truth be told, he didn’t actually have much to do.
Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10):
Once again deployed in defence due to Liverpool’s issues at right-back and once again put in an excellent shift for his side before winning the game with a sensational strike from 32 yards out.
Ibrahima Konate (7/10):
After two shocking displays, against Bournemouth and Newcastle, the Frenchman looked back to something resembling his best. Such a shame, then, to see him forced off through injury.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10):
Another typically dominant display at the back and, on days like this, it’s the Dutchman’s anticipation that really stands out. The one gripe was that he didn’t shoot after pouncing on a poor pass from Raya.
Milos Kerkez (7/10):
Much more like it from the Hungarian. He struggled in his first two Premier League appearances for Liverpool but he stood up very well indeed to the threat posed by the lively Madueke down Arsenal’s right-hand side.
Ryan Gravenberch (7/10):
The Dutchman’s propensity for picking up bookings remains a concern, but he’s such a calming and influential presence in the middle of the park. Helped Liverpool gain control of the game after the interval.
Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):
Recalled to the starting line-up after missing the game against Newcastle, and although he created a couple of chances, the Argentine is clearly still not 100 percent match fit after a stop-start couple of months.
Florian Wirtz (6/10):
We’re still waiting to see the real Wirtz, but this was a bit better from the Germany international, who picked out Salah with a couple of nice passes (both of which were wasted), while he also had one of Liverpool’s few shots on target. Ran himself into the ground, too, before hobbling off late on.
Mohamed Salah (4/10):
Struggled to get any change out of Calafiori all afternoon and failed miserably to take advantage on the few times he found himself in a dangerous position. A really poor performance from a player who hasn’t quite got going this season.
Hugo Ekitike (5/10):
Ekitike had scored in his first three competitive games for Liverpool but he never even went close to maintaining his 100 percent strike rate. The Frenchman was forced to feed off scraps for the entirety of his 79 minutes on the field.
Cody Gakpo (5/10):
Looked like a threat when he got on the ball, but the Netherlands international offered no real penetration.
Curtis Jones (6/10):
Came on for Mac Allister on the hour mark and added a bit of intensity to Liverpool’s pressing.
Joe Gomez (7/10):
Took over in the centre of defence for the injured Konate for the final 12 minutes and did well to putt off Eze without fouling the new signing before making a brilliant interception to deny Gyokeres.
Federico Chiesa (N/A):
Replaced Ekitike up top in the closing stages and pressed well.
Wataru Endo (N/A):
Brought on in the dying minutes to help Liverpool close out the game.
Arne Slot (6/10):
The decision to stick with Szoboszlai paid off spectacularly, but the former Feyenoord coach will probably be most satisified with the fact that his side looked solid for the first time this season. Still, victory won’t mask the fact that his team still hasn’t quite clicked yet.
