An own goal by Jakub Kiwior and a thumping late strike by Luis Diaz sealed a 2-0 victory for Liverpool at Arsenal in the weekend’s headline FA Cup third round tie as the hosts’ dismal form extended into the New Year on Sunday.
Arsenal wasted a sackful of chances in the first half and were made to pay as Liverpool skipper Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s free kick glanced off the head of Kiwior in the 80th minute.
Diaz then made sure of eight-time winners Liverpool’s place in the fourth round draw as he lashed home in stoppage time.
Premier League leaders Liverpool had been second-best in the opening period with Arsenal unable to make the most of a flurry of early chances.
Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele rated the players.
Jakub Kiwior’s own goal and a late Luis Diaz strike gave Liverpool victory over Arsenal
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
Aaron Ramsdale – 7
Great long ball nearly provided an assist for Nelson in the opening minutes as Ramsdale got a rare start with David Raya on the bench. Excellent reflex stop to deny Diaz in the 77th minute, with the England keeper getting down well. Could do nothing about the goals.
Ben White – 6
Enjoyed the battle with Diaz in the first half and the two had a couple of feisty moments. Did not get forward as well as usual. Different sort of challenge after the break with Nunez on his side but dealt with him well.
William Saliba – 7
Kept Liverpool’s forwards quiet for much of the match, with the away side growing as an attacking force somewhat in the second half. Booked for a tug on Jota after the hour mark.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Made some decent blocks and came out on top in his defensive duels. Liverpool improved in the second half and Gabriel made several key interventions to deny the likes of Nunez and Diaz.
Jakub Kiwior – 5
Kept Elliott relatively quiet in the first half but struggled a bit more against Diaz when he switched sides after the break. Hard luck for the own goal.
Declan Rice – 5
Made some decent defensive interceptions but it feels like Rice is going through a mid-season dip and is not affecting games how he would like to.
Jorginho – 6.5
Sat deep and dictated play, allowing Rice to venture forward slightly. The Italy international kept the ball well but did not have too much of an impact on the game.
Kai Havertz was wasteful and Arsenal paid the price for missing a host of opportunities
Martin Odegaard – 7.5
Pulled the strings for Arsenal in the first half and was the best player on the pitch, though he should have scored when his shot rattled the crossbar. Would have had a hatful of assists if not for the profligacy of his team-mates.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Had a couple of decent sights of goal early on and gave Gomez a very tough afternoon with his trickery but seemed to lack the final ball. Wasteful with two half-chances in the second half at the back post, shanking both efforts over.
Kai Havertz – 6
Given the nod to lead the line with Gabriel Jesus injured but this was not a pleasing audition as he missed chance after chance. Could not get his feet sorted out for one after eight minutes and then, on the half-hour mark, took too long to make a decision and a big chance was gone.
Reiss Nelson – 6
Added energy and verve on Arsenal’s left flank and was clearly told to stay high and look to exploit gaps left behind by Alexander-Arnold. Had a glorious opening after four minutes but fluffed his lines and then could not control a square ball from Odegaard with another chance.
Substitutes
Gabriel Martinelli (for Nelson 62) – 6
Eddie Nketiah (for Jorginho 82)
Emile Smith Rowe (for Havertz 88)
Leandro Trossard (for Kiwior 88)
Not used: David Raya, Cedric Soares, Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa, Reuell Walters.
Manager: Mikel Arteta – 5
Cannot be blamed for his side lacking a clinical striker. Arsenal were best team in first half but faded. Substitutions – many of them too late – did not work.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice failed to make an impact as his slump in form continues
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Alisson – 7
Was forced to make several key stops in the first half as Arsenal had 13 shots, five of which were on target. Commanding on crosses as usual and did not make a mistake with his distribution.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
Slightly caught napping early on for one of many golden chances Arsenal missed as Nelson sprung through on goal. Struck the crossbar late in the first half and dictated play from his inverted role. Beautiful set-piece delivery for Liverpool’s goal.
Ibrahima Konate – 7.5
Had his best performance in a Liverpool shirt when Arsenal visited Anfield just before Christmas and, while this was not quite as imperious, it was a decent showing from Konate, who made several telling blocks and interceptions at 0-0.
Jarell Quansah – 7
A scary moment for Liverpool, noting their defensive injury crisis as he went down in some discomfort in the first half but seemed OK after that.
Joe Gomez – 6.5
Had a lapse in concentration and got away with one early in the first half as he lost possession cheaply to Saka, who squared for Nelson and should have scored. Covers a lot of distance with his marauding runs down the left-hand side.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate produced another dominant display against Arsenal
Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5
First start for a month after a knee injury, following a positive cameo off the bench against Newcastle last week. Got on the ball well but Arsenal’s midfield had the better of him in a defensive sense.
Cody Gakpo – 6.5
Playing in the No 8 role and offered little in the first half in terms of an attacking sense, much the theme of Liverpool’s whole team.
Curtis Jones – 6.5
Is Liverpool’s most underrated player and never stops running. Has put in some world class performance in recent weeks but could not quite impact this game how he would have liked.
Harvey Elliott – 7
A big month ahead for the youngster with this the first match without Mo Salah, and Elliott was given the nod on the right-hand side. Has a wicked dead-ball delivery.
Darwin Nunez – 7.5
Saw little of the ball in the first half but, with his one key chance, he glanced a header just wide from a fizzed corner. Not the best night in front of goal again but he put in a solid shift nevertheless and was a big threat on the left wing in the second half.
Luis Diaz – 7.5
Saw little of the ball in the first half but had a few tussles with White. The Colombian winger started on the opposite wing after the break. Sometimes it looks like he overthinks certain moments but got his rewards for a great game with the second goal in stoppage time.
Substitutes
Diogo Jota (for Gakpo 59) – 7
Ryan Gravenberch (for Mac Allister 59) – 6 (BOOKED)
Bobby Clark (for Elliott 75) – 7 (BOOKED)
Conor Bradley (for Jones 75) – 7
Not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Luke Chambers, Kaide Gordon, James McConnell, Trey Nyoni.
Manager: Jurgen Klopp – 8
Made a tactical switch at half-time that worked a treat, with Nunez going out left, Diaz switching flanks and Elliott coming into midfield. Helped them gain control.
Referee: John Brooks – 7
A night without incident but handled the game well.
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