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Liverpool deserved a draw from a strong team performance against the defending champions but lacked the individual attacking quality to get a goal.
Goals: Havertz 16′
Poor pass for the giveaway that eventually led to the Arsenal goal.
Top save from Tzolis in the second half, especially having seen it slightly late and having to get down low to his left.
Went some way to making up for the earlier error.
Loses Havertz at the far post for the goal but is in two minds as to whether to mark the eventual goalscorer or Tzolis.
An otherwise good performance of the type that has become the standard for him since joining the club.
Started to get into some good attacking positions towards the end of the game before he was subbed.
Some very composed defending, including some good interventions in the penalty area.
Like Van Dijk, he seemed hesitant to get something on Rice’s cross that led to the goal, in case he put it in his own net.
Looked at the same level as the other much-lauded top centre-backs involved in this game, and was arguably the standout player among them.
Could have intervened on the cross for the Arsenal goal but appeared hesitant to do so and likely presumed those at the far post were better equipped to do so.
Could be found pressing high up the pitch, as is becoming more common under Iraola.
Good anticipation and challenge to prevent a tap-in for Havertz in the second half.
Frustrating for a lot of the game, but also put in a brilliant cross from which Mac Allister should score.
Picked up a yellow card for a challenge he didn’t need to make when Madueke had no chance of reaching the ball anyway.
Otherwise, good aggression in the tackle in a game that needed it.
A couple of late tackles early on, not as bad as the commentators made out as they called for yellow cards, but still indicated his need to adapt to the pace of the game.
When he did adapt, he looked very comfortable at this level. Made some good passes and was never rushed in possession. If he speeds it up, it’s on his terms.
Liverpool looked worse as a midfield unit when he went off.
Might have let Odegaard escape him on a few occasions defensively, but in attack he was regularly arriving in dangerous positions.
The only problem was, he struggled to make them count, especially when presented with a headed chance from Kerkez’s cross, which should have been a goal.
Presses well from the front and is better on this side of the defensive game.
Was involved in a lot of the needle within the game, with some strong challenges.
Operating on the right, where he never looks as comfortable.
Was regularly an option in space for switches to the right flank or long balls from the back, but didn’t make anything happen in the danger area. Really needed to offer more.
Was finding good positions in attack and made it difficult for Arsenal to track him.
Hit the bar with a free-kick just before halftime.
Didn’t stop running and was responsible for many of the occasions Arsenal looked uncomfortable when building out from the back.
As was the case with the other attackers, you’d just like something extra from him in a big game like this.
Had a good chance to equalise shortly after Arsenal scored, but a really bad touch gave the defenders a chance to clear the danger.
His touch and sloppy control in tight areas let him down on a few occasions, such as a header through to Wirtz in the second half, which was well overhit.
Looks dangerous down the left, though, and his pace is also starting to translate into good pressing. But you need more from a £123 million player in these games.
A few chances to shoot but none on target. Good movement but no end product on this occasion.
Like Barcola, seems to be improving on the pressing side of the game, working well in tambem with Wirtz and the wingers.
Is benefitting from a good run of games at full fitness for what feels like the first time in his Liverpool career.
Dominik Szoboszlai (on for Nyoni, 59′) – 6 – Some decent work deep in the midfield but didn’t really make the additional impact that might have been expected.
Rio Ngumoha (on for Gakpo, 67′) – 6 – Had plenty of the ball after coming on but struggled to take it past the Arsenal defence as he so often does against others.
Kostas Tsimikas (on for Kerkez, 81′) – N/A
Lewis Koumas (on for Wirtz, 81′) – N/A
Victor Munoz (on for Araujo, 81′) – N/A
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Gravenberch.
Gave his team the best chance to win the game, but they just couldn’t find the cutting edge in attack to do so.
The second part of the first half was one of Liverpool’s best spells of football since the new manager arrived.
Ngumoha for Gakpo was the right sub at the right time, and he threw everything at the Arsenal defence late on, but the team still struggled to create clear chances.
Something to build on as they looked as good if not better than the best team in the league.
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