Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal player ratings: Mikel Merino secures Gunners come-from-behind draw but sees red | OneFootball

Perhaps in another reality, this would have been a Premier League title decider, as champions Liverpool welcomed Arsenal for a top-of-the-table showdown.

With not much to play for besides winning their remaining matches, it could not be more different regarding the Gunners, who are not 100% certain of playing in next season’s Champions League.

Mere days after their European Cup exit at the semi-final stage, Mikel Arteta’s men were seeking a return to successful ways, as were Liverpool, whose first outing as kings of England saw them suffer a 2-0 loss at Chelsea last weekend.

In the end, points were shared, but at one stage, it never looked remotely like Arsenal would leave Merseyside with anything. There were just 87 seconds between Cody Gakpo’s opening goal for Liverpool (19:06) and their second goal via Luis Díaz (20:33).

Whatever was said at halftime in the Gunners’ dressing room worked, as Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back immediately after the break, setting the stage for Mikel Merino’s late equalizer. He wouldn’t stay on for the full-time whistle, however, as he departed following a second yellow card.

Liverpool player ratings

Alisson: 62%

Another clean sheet looked to be on the cards, but the Gunners somehow breached Liverpool’s defence twice, much to the Brazilian shot-stopper’s annoyance. He produced four saves, two of those coming inside the box; however, a 23.08% long-ball accuracy is not good enough for a keeper of his calibre.

Andy Robertson: 65%

On the day Robertson became the 10th player to make 250 or more Premier League appearances for Liverpool, he recorded his first assist of the season and his 60th overall in England’s top division.

Virgil van Dijk: 53%

Was kept on his toes by the Gunners’ attack, with Van Dijk forced into making a team-high five clearances. His 100% aerial duel win percentage and two blocked shots demonstrated why he’s known in these parts as the Colossus of Breda.

Ibrahima Konate: 54%

The more comfortable on the ball of Liverpool’s two centre-halves, but just as Konate registered a 90.7% retention rate and 90% passing accuracy.

Conor Bradley: 56%

Started ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to leave the club at the end of this season. He put in a commendable shift, winning two tackles and four aerial duels, as well as making four clearances and winning possession six times in the defensive third. He also blocked a single cross, though he was dispossessed once and dribbled past the same number of times.

Curtis Jones: 67%

The only Liverpool player to finish the game with 100% take-on accuracy, Jones also boasted a 100% success rate for passes into the final third and was instrumental in their build-up play. He also contributed one interception and one tackle won, though he was dribbled past once.

Ryan Gravenberch: 51%

During the first half of this season, there was no question Gravenberch was the league’s premier “number six,” but that form was absent today. He had a team-high three unsuccessful touches, was dribbled past, and won only one of his two attempted tackles. However, he did manage to win possession once in the attacking third.

Cody Gakpo: 68%

It’s now ten consecutive starts at Anfield in which Gakpo has found the net. A feat not even Mo Salah can boast.

Dominik Szoboszlai: 68%

He’s now provided three assists in his last three Premier League matches, as many as he managed in his previous 54 matches in the competition combined.

Mohamed Salah: 58%

Another quiet afternoon in terms of not contributing a single goal or assist, though Salah managed to create two goalscoring opportunities, with one considered a “big chance”. He was unable to complete a single take-on attempt (of two), while going the entire 90 minutes without a single shot on goal, which is so unlike the Egyptian King.

Luis Diaz: 66%

With a clear sight of goal in the eighth minute, Diaz was brilliantly thwarted by David Raya, but he soon made amends by immediately doubling Liverpool’s lead.

Arsenal player ratings

David Raya: 68%

Started with a fantastic save, but Liverpool struck twice in the blink of an eye, leaving Raya rattled. He did keep them out, ending today’s contest with three saves while completing eight long passes.

Myles Lewis-Skelly: 54%

Still a learning experience for the Arsenal youngster who went into the referee’s book. On a positive note, Lewis-Skelly registered three clearances while completing one offside trap.

Jakub Kiwior: 59%

Thrust into Arsenal’s first team following Gabriel’s injury, the Polish centre-half is doing a modestly good job in the great defender’s absence. One interception, coupled with four clearances and six completed passes into the final third, was a fine effort in excruciating circumstances.

William Saliba: 53%

He, more than anyone, couldn’t believe Liverpool racing into a sudden 2-0 lead, but the leader in him stepped out as Saliba ensured the Reds wouldn’t score more goals. This was far from his best showing, but possession won on three occasions in the defensive third showcased the Frenchman’s desire to keep up against Slot’s irresistible attack. He did get dribbled past once, demonstrating the risks attached to fighting fire with fire.

Ben White: 60%

A second consecutive Premier League start for the full-back, who has been plagued with knee problems this season. White didn’t last the full 90 minutes, but when he was on the pitch he contributed with one interception and two tackles won, as well as six completed passes into the final third.

Mikel Merino: 59%

Kept himself onside to net into an empty net for the equaliser after Alisson brilliantly saved an Odegaard shot onto the bar. Since 15 February, only Bruno Fernandes (15) has been involved in more goals among Premier League players than Merino (11 – 7 goals, 4 assists). That wasn’t the end of his day, as the Spaniard would soon pick up a second yellow card with 11 minutes of the match remaining.

Thomas Partey: 62%

The only member of Arsenal’s team with a 100% take-on success rate, Partey’s growing influence was seen in eight duels won, plus possession won on four occasions in the middle third, plus he wasn’t dribbled past once.

Martin Odegaard: 61%

He created two goalscoring opportunities (one considered a “big chance”), and his saved effort ultimately led to Merino’s equaliser. Odegaard tested Liverpool’s defence with three attempts on goal, with one hitting the target.

Gabriel Martinelli: 69%

Halved the deficit with a header minutes after resuming from half-time when he found himself unmarked in the penalty area. Martinelli has now scored five goals in his last six away starts in the Premier League. This latest road goal was his sixth against Liverpool in all competitions (four of which were at Anfield), his joint-most against any opponent for Arsenal (also six vs. Crystal Palace).

Leandro Trossard: 60%

Got the nod to lead Arsenal’s attack, and the Belgian contributed one assist before coming off. He also posted two shots on goal, but neither were on target. His ten touches in the opposition box were a team high, though.

Bukayo Saka: 66%

Failed to hit the target in what was a massive early opportunity for the Gunners, as Saka found himself all alone at the back post following a clever free-kick routine. He was onside, but he could only roll the ball wide of the far post.

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