After seemingly lining his XI up as a 3-4-3 to begin with, it took only a few short moments to see Emery change to a back four and earn a 1-0 lead early on. Makeshift right winger Ainsley Maitland-Niles tapped home an accurate Iwobi cross after some good wing work but as many predicted, Arsenal's defence would be their downfall.
It took less than five minutes for Liverpool to level and then take the lead. Mustafi, Sokratis and co just absolutely melted and let Roberto Firmino tap home a first, followed by a dazzling second where no one engaged in a tackle. The Brazilian walked through and slotted home a nice left footed finish.
The goals just kept coming the longer the game went on. There wasn't really one good performer on the Arsenal side however it is important to realise that Liverpool and Man City are just not in our league right now. Arsenal and Emery's goal should be a top four finish and points against Liverpool should really be a bonus at this point in Emery's tenure. However, even with this in mind, it should still not allow for mistake after mistake and poor decision making. The Head Coach cannot take the blame for this and the players really need to stand up and muck in now going forward. Borderline embarassing yesterday and we all know that this group are more than capable.
Ratings
Bernd Leno: 5
Looked nervy to start but eventually got into the game from a footballing perspective. Not a whole lot he could do about a defence opening up like Moses and the Red Sea in front of him.
Stephan Lichtsteiner: 4.5
Way off the pace in this one. Looked a yard off for the game's entirety and struggled against all of Liverpool's forwards.
Shkodran Mustafi: 5
Played only forty-five minutes and disapppointed in general. Can't seem to defend on his feet and committed himself far too easily.
Sokratis: 4.5
Usually fairly reliable and consistent, the Greek was thoroughly under par with his decision making and struggled time after time. Silly decision to commit and give away a pointless penalty.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 7
Good going forward at times and did get back well to start with. Offered a lot of energy but eventually got pushed back and back and became pretty inaffective.
Lucas Torreira: 5
Severly underwhelming and just could not get to grips to the game for the first twenty or so. Looked tired and failed to step it up beyond anything average.
Granit Xhaka: 6
Struggled to run midfield by himself and got overwhelmed for much of the game. Didn't see much ball but tried to create in the absence of others but generally struggled.
Alex Iwobi: 7
Dribbled quite well and grabbed a great assist for Arsenal's only goal in the early stages. Eventually faded but did link up and join in with others well.
Aaron Ramsey: 5
Looked to create in everything he did but unsurprisingly didn't see much ball at all. Was involved in the goal in the midfield stages but failed to deliver much else.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 4
The worst performance by the league's top goalscorer of all as the pacey striker managed less than 15 touches all game. Severelty disappointing and uninspiring throughout.
Subs
Laurent Koscielny: 5
Came on at half time and looked no better than any of the other woeful centre backs on the day. Looked more comfortably personally with the ball at his feet but still a way off the required level.
Alex Lacazette: 5.5
Saw a frustrating twenty minutes where, by then, the game was over. Ran hard but ultimately left no mark apart from a strong sniff for a penalty that was waved away.
Matteo Guendouzi: N/A
Played the final few minutes and only got involved as Liverpool took their foot off the gas as the game dwindled down.
@craigbennett10
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