Liverpool vs Chelsea result: Player ratings from Reds’ win in rollercoaster Premier League fixture
Liverpool
Alisson – 6: Saved well from Willian at close range before the ball unfortunately fell for Giroud to score. Could do little about the second or third.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8: Doubled his team’s lead with a wonderful first-half free-kick and assisted Firmino terrifically.
Joe Gomez – 5: Not an especially solid showing. Comically bumped into Van Dijk ahead of Chelsea’s third, and was loose on the ball at times.
Virgil van Dijk – 6: Similarly to his centre-back partner, was not at his best.
Andrew Robertson – 6: A mixed performance from the left-back. Struggled upon Pulisic’s arrival, but burst forward to assist Oxlade-Chamberlain late on.
Naby Keita – 8: Essentially dispossessed Willian before firing a rocket off the bar and in for the opener.
Fabinho – 6: Composed at the base of the Reds’ midfield in the first half, but was left behind somewhat as Chelsea picked up the pace in the latter period.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7: Almost set up Mane in the first half with a perfectly weighted, clipped ball into the Chelsea box. Pounced on a loose ball to hammer in Liverpool’s third.
Mohamed Salah – 7: Looked particularly focused and motivated, relishing the challenge Chelsea posed. Lacked a clinical edge, though.
Roberto Firmino – 8: Typically selfless performance from the Brazilian, who rose highest to head home a cross in the second half, finally scoring at Anfield in the league.
Sadio Mane – 6: Won the free-kick for Alexander-Arnold to double Liverpool’s lead, but loses a point for diving egregiously to do so.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7: Took Liverpool’s fifth goal with gusto.
Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6: Couldn’t do much to prevent any of Liverpool’s goals, but will likely be criticised anyway.
Reece James – 7: Great delivery for Mount early on would have been an assist if met by a better header. Made some key interceptions at the back and marshalled Mane well in spells.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 5: A frustrating night for the Chelsea captain.
Kurt Zouma – 5: Wasn’t very convincing, but did challenge Salah well to keep the scoreline down in the second half.
Antonio Rudiger – 5: Spent periods of his evening chasing Salah’s shadow.
Marcos Alonso – 6: Was incredibly unfortunate to see a free-kick awarded against him ahead of the second goal when Mane dived – his challenge was in fact fantastic.
Jorginho – 4: Awful attempt at clearing a corner allowed Wijnaldum to smash in the Reds’ third goal. Was left for dead by Robertson for Liverpool’s fifth.
Mateo Kovacic – 5: Another who was partially responsible for the third goal – had to throw himself at the corner, but effectively ducked out of the way instead.
Willian – 6: Was caught out in possession for Liverpool’s opener, but semi-assisted Giroud by forcing a save out of Alisson on the stroke of half-time.
Mason Mount – 7: Missed a decent opportunity to put the Blues ahead in the early moments after a wicked cross from James. Was barely denied an equaliser by the offside flag later on. Arguably his team’s brightest presence until Pulisic came on.
Olivier Giroud – 6: Headed the Anfield air to help set up Wijnaldum for the third Liverpool goal, but soon after stabbed home opportunistically to give his side a chance.
Christian Pulisic – 8: Came off the bench to set up Abraham’s goal in scintillating fashion, then showed control, composure and ruthlessness to make it 4-3.
Tammy Abraham – 7: Couldn’t miss after Pulisic squared just yards from the Liverpool goal.
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