Liverpool deservedly beat Arsenal thanks to three second half goals as the Reds’ top four challenge was resurrected.
After completely dominating for over an hour, it took the 61st minute introduction of Diogo Jota to pep up Liverpool in front of goal, and the Portuguese headed in a fine Trent Alexander-Arnold cross three minutes later.
Mohamed Salah slotted home through the legs of Bernd Leno to make it two, with Jota firing home his second eight minutes from time.
The victory lifts Liverpool up to fifth in the table and just two points behind Chelsea, who lost at home to West Brom on Saturday.
(Image: Catherine Ivill/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Here are the match ratings.
Arsenal
Leno 5
No chance with any of the goals. Nutmegged for the second by Salah. Enough said.
Chambers 5
Winded by the challenge as brave Jota met Alexander-Arnold’s cross to score.
Holding 5
Out-muscled by Mane early on. Regained his composure but beaten by the quality of Trent’s assist.
Gabriel 5
Outfoxed by Salah for Liverpool’s second. Weak pass out punished for Liverpool’s third.
(Image: Catherine Ivill/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Tierney 6
Unlucky to go off injured on 45 minutes after nine games in a row. Big miss.
Ceballos 4
Not his best day. Outmanouvred, poor in possession and no surprise when he was subbed.
Partey 6
Continually regained possession for this side – only for Ceballos to continually lose it.
Pepe 5
Needed to get more power on his 33rd-minute header from Auba cross.
Odegaard 6
At times showed his frustration with team-mates not on his wavelength.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
Aubameyang 5
At times he played like a left-back. Dropped far too deep. At least he laid on a chance for Pepe.
Lacazette 5
Spent so much time in midfield, Arsenal had no out ball.
SUBS:
Cedric for Tierney (45) 5
Elneny for Ceballos (58) 5
Martinelli for Aubameyang (77)
Liverpool
Alisson 7
One of his easiest days in recent months. Good handling from Cedric second half effort.
Alexander-Arnold 8
Fabulous cross for Jota’s headed goal. Brilliant response to being left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad. Celebration said everything.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Phillips 7
Far more composed – in an out of possession – with Arsenal unable to pose a threat.
Kabak 7
Must have expected a more difficult night than this.
Robertson 7
Got an early night after international exertions.
Fabinho 9
Aggressive and carried the fight. Wonderful ball to set up Salah for the second.
Thiago 8
Picked up some good positions as Liverpool probed to find a way through.
(Image: PA)
Milner 7
How on earth did he miss with that clear sight of goal in the 35th-minute?
Mane 7
So unlucky to miss with his diving header in injury time. Always a threat.
Salah 8
What a cheeky little nutmeg to score the second goal. His 93rd in his 150th Premier League game.
Firmino 7
Just couldn’t get enough curl on his 29th-minute strike.
SUBS:
Jota for Robertson (61) 8
Wijnaldum for Firmino (77)
R Williams for Kabak (83)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Fabinho. Led the fight in midfield and an assist to boot.
