Ian Doyle with the Liverpool player ratings and scores from the Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon
Liverpool secured a memorable 1-0 victory after a war of attrition with last season’s runners-up Arsenal at Anfield. Dominik Szoboszlai struck the only goal with a blistering 30-yard free-kick in the 83rd minute to earn a narrow success on Sunday afternoon.
The result means Arne Slot’s side continued their 100% start to the season and are the only team to have won their first three Premier League games of the new campaign, meaning they sit top of the early table.
The ECHO was in attendance and here they run the rule over the performance of the Liverpool players after a tense encounter.
Alisson Becker 7Kept out Noni Madueke shot from range first half and reasonable with ball at feet, of which there was plenty. Confident handling once more.Dominik Szoboszlai 9
Helped to keep Gabriel Martinelli in check and looked to get forward whenever possible. Another solid showing at right-back capped by a brilliant free-kick for the winner.Ibrahima Konate 7Much better and confidence grew from strong start up against Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres, but injury a major concern.
Subbed.Virgil van Dijk 7One good defensive header from set-piece early on but should have shot when winning ball high up. Stepped out more regularly second half.
Milos Kerkez 7Not easy up against the speedy Madueke and had to use positional sense for one good block and fine tackle first half, and remained diligent throughout.
Ryan Gravenberch 7Quickly dropped deeper to get Liverpool moving and find a way through packed midfield, but able to show more going forward second half. Booked.
Alexis Mac Allister 5Appeared well short of fitness and sharpness and too easily knocked off the ball as a consequence. Subbed.
Mohamed Salah 6Didn’t get much protection up against the giants Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel but kept plugging away. Let down by a couple of heavy touches second half.
Florian Wirtz 6Hounded out of matters far too easily in the opening quarter and subsequently faded from view until better in the final 20 minutes, including one necessary defensive intervention. Subbed.Cody Gakpo 6Dragged shot wide during a first half in which there was a lot of running. Same story after interval although slightly more dangerous.
Hugo Ekitike 5Didn’t really get anywhere when left to fend for himself for the most part against the massed Arsenal ranks. Tough ask. Subbed.
Brought more mobility to the midfield and got in the face of Rice and company. Won free-kick for winner.Joe Gomez (for Konate 79) 7Some important interceptions as Arsenal pressed late on.Federico Chiesa (for Ekitike 79) 6
Plenty of running and did well to win pressure-relieving corner in additional time.Wataru Endo (for Wirtz 89)Brought on to help see the game out. Booked.