Robin van Persie got Arsenal out of jail again as his injury-time winner gave Arsenal a thoroughly undeserved victory at Anfield on Saturday. Here are my player ratings.
Liverpool
Pepe Reina – 6
Didn’t have a great deal to do. Made a good save from Walcott’s deflected effort but should have saved van Persie’s second.
Martin Kelly – 6.5
Fluffed his lines and should have put Liverpool ahead at 1-1. Defensively looked pretty solid.
Jamie Carragher – 6.5
Allowed van Persie to get on the wrong side of him for the equaliser. Other than that, the 34 year-old looked comfortable on his return to first-team action.
Martin Skrtel – 7
Didn’t have much to do but for the most part dealt comfortably with Arsenal’s attack. Perhaps could have positioned himself better for both goals.
Jose Enrique – 7
Liverpool’s most consistent performer was on song again today, although he was caught out of position for the winning goal.
Jordan Henderson – 7.5
The best I’ve seen him play for Liverpool so far. A battling performance in central midfield, made a number of key passes too. Maybe he does have potential.
Jay Spearing – 5
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Charlie Adam – 7.5
A constant thorn in the side of Arsenal, his crosses caused endless problems for Arsenal’s defence.
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Looked lively and delivered some fine crosses. Had a couple of good chances but his shooting was off. Still awaiting his first Premier League goal of the season. Has yet to make an assist either. But he’ll be on the plane to Poland/Ukraine!
Luis Suarez – 8.5
Must have been left wondering how he didn’t score after hitting the woodwork twice. A moment of genius in the first-half saw him take on four Arsenal players before forcing a great save from Szczesny. Quality performance.
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Missed penalty aside, the Dutchman was very good going forward for Liverpool. His cross should have been converted by Martin Kelly.
Subs:
Craig Bellamy – 5
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Andy Carroll – 5
See above.
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Arsenal
Wojciech Szczęsny – 9
Heroically saved Kuyt’s penalty before showing excellent reactions to deny his follow-up effort. Made a number of great saves to keep Arsenal in it. The 21 year-old is showing maturity well beyond his years. Man of the match.
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Provided a wonderful cross for van Persie’s equaliser. Arsenal’s defence had a very busy afternoon and the Frenchman looked the most solid in a disorganised back four.
Thomas Vermaelen – 6
Not the Belgian centre-backs best day in an Arsenal shirt, looked to pick up a hip injury and never looked comfortable after that. Booked for a hack on Suarez.
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Opened the scoring in unfortunate circumstances with a miscued clearance. Did little else wrong apart from this.
Kieran Gibbs – 6
Caught of position several times, most notably in the build-up to Koscielny’s own-goal.
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Arsenal’s best midfielder, Song made some key passes including a wonderfully weighted through ball to set up the winner.
Mikel Arteta – 5.5
Failed to impress before being stretchered off with a nasty looking head injury in the 53rd minute. Misplaced several passes in promising positions.
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Failed to make any sort of impression. The Israeli-international barely touched the ball.
Thomas Rosicky – 6.5
Looked lively and was Arsenal’s most threatening midfielder going forward. Performances are improving with every game.
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Walcott reverted back to his usual role of spectator following his one good half of 2012 last Sunday. Nearly got lucky with a deflected effort but was barely involved in the game.
Robin van Persie – 8
Had two good chances and scored them both to score his 30th and 31st goals of the season. His second on the volley was pure class. Superlatives can’t do this man justice.
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Abou Diaby – 5
Diaby’s injury nightmare continued as he was replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain less than half an hour into his return.
Gervinho – 5
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Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6
Looked lively and came close to making it three with a curled effort deep in injury time.
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