PLAYER RATINGS
ALISSON BECKER 7.5 There when needed and made a couple of super interventions in the second period. TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD 8 Ran the game from right back, an assist, glorious deliveries and a shot that struck the bar.
JOE GOMEZ 7
Stepped back into his position with the minimum of fuss. Now needs a run in the side. VIRGIL VAN DIJK 7.5 You watch him and think he finds it all too easy. Looked like he was never out of second gear.
ANDREW ROBERTSON 7
Made a mistake that led to Arsenal’s goal but atoned by scoring at the other end.
GINI WIJNALDUM 6.5
Quietly effective, nothing out of the ordinary but kept the team ticking along as he usually does. FABINHO 7.5 Proved why he is regarded as the best central defensive midfielder in Europe.
NABY KEITA 6.5
Some nice moments and good use of the ball but you feel like there is so much more to come.
MOHAMED SALAH 7.5
No goals but he was strong and quick and has started the season in blistering form.
ROBERTO FIRMINO 7
Gets said he does not score enough goals but Arsenal did not know how to contain him.
SADIO MANE 7
Perhaps fortunate to only be booked for an elbow but on the scoresheet before being substituted. SUBSTITUTES Jota (for Mane 80min) Milner (for Keita 80) Minamino (for Firmino 90) Not used: Adrian, Jones, Origi, Williams.
JURGEN KLOPP 7
You can see he still believes there is room for improvement but he had his team drilled perfectly and this was a statement of intent.
BERND LENO 5
Needed to be stronger for Liverpool’s first goal, weakly palming the ball into Mane’s path.
ROB HOLDING 6.5
Much better than in the Community Shield, resilient and made some crucial interventions.
DAVID LUIZ 6
One superb moment to read a Van Dijk header and much better than his nightmare here last year. KIERAN TIERNEY 5 Isolated by the system and received no help in his forlorn attempts to keep hold of Salah.
HECTOR BELLERIN 5.5
Spent game working out how to keep Robertson and Mane in check but not to any great success. GRANIT XHAKA 5 Some big tackles early on but spent most of the time being harangued before going off. MOHAMED ELNENY 6 Most industrious member of Arsenal’s midfield, working hard to try and repel the Red tide.
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES 5
Did not know whether he was a wing-back or full back and failed to work in tandem with Tierney. WILLIAN 5.5 Frustrating night for the Brazilian, got no change out of Robertson and saw little of the ball. ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE 6 Alert to take advantage of a gift to put his side ahead but wasted a good chance to score a second.
P-E AUBAMEYANG 5
Very quiet as Arsenal only touched the ball twice in the opposition box in the first half. SUBSTITUTES Ceballos n 6 (for Xhaka 60) Pepe 6 (for Willian, 68) Nketiah 5 (for Lacazette, 73)
Not used: Runarsson, Saka, Gabriel, Kolasinac.
MIKEL ARTETA 6
Had to ditch his plan to contain Liverpool but the introduction of Ceballos for Xhaka gave Arsenal some belated impetus. REFEREE CRAIG PAWSON 6 He will be relieved that it was a night free of controversy but right to ask whether he let Mane off.