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Liverpool logo
Premier League
Dec 21, 2014 at 4pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

2-2

Coutinho (45'), Skrtel (97')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Debuchy (47'), Giroud (65')

Player Ratings: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

Sports Mole marks each Liverpool and Arsenal player out of 10 for their display at Anfield in today's 2-2 Premier League draw.

Neither Liverpool or Arsenal were able to give their fans a win before Christmas as Martin Skrtel headed home a 97th-minute equaliser to earn the Reds a point at Anfield.

Goals within a couple of minutes of each other at the end of the first half from Coutinho and Mathieu Debuchy meant that the two sides went in level at the break.

Olivier Giroud put Arsenal ahead for the first time before Skrtel's late leveller, which came after Liverpool substitute Fabio Borini had been sent off for two quick yellow cards.

Below, Sports Mole marks each player out of 10 for their performance in a scrappy game at Anfield.


Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool celebrates his goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on December 21, 2014© Getty Images

Liverpool

Goal

Brad Jones: Didn't have too much to deal with, but will be a little annoyed at how Giroud's low shot crept through his legs. (6/10)

Defence

Kolo Toure: Solid at the back as Arsenal's forwards posed much less of a threat than expected. Taken off with 10 to go. (6/10)

Martin Skrtel: At fault for Arsenal's first as Debuchy climbed above him to head home, but made amends with the late leveller. Brave to not go off after a boot to the head. (7/10)

Mamadou Sakho: Hardly noticeable, but won most of his headers. (6/10)

Midfield

Jordan Henderson: Our man of the match for his energetic display. Not one player really stood out for what they did with the ball, so Henderson's effort is applauded. Also set up the opener. (7/10)

Lucas Leiva: Did his usual job of taking the ball off the opposition. Almost scored a rare goal. (6/10)

Steven Gerrard: Back in a deep-lying role and another muted display. He took plenty of shots, but rarely gave Wojciech Szczesny any problems. (5/10)

Lazar Markovic: Is enjoying his best time at the club and impressed, particularly in the first half. Squandered a couple of chances and was then taken off in the 74th minute. (7/10)

Attack

Coutinho: Bright in the opening 45 and took his goal well. Went off the boil in the second and fluffed his lines with some good openings. (6/10)

Raheem Sterling: After two goals in midweek, Sterling again led the Liverpool line. He didn't have anywhere near as much luck today, but his pace was always a worry. (6/10)

Adam Lallana: Neat touches throughout. Delivered the corner that Skrtel bulleted home in stoppage time. (7/10)

Substitutes

Fabio Borini: Forced Szczesny into a couple of saves after coming on but then got two stupid bookings, first for dissent and then for a horrible high foot on Santi Cazorla. Maybe his last appearance with January transfer window approaching and what a bad, but somewhat apt way to go. (3/10)

Rickie Lambert: Replaced Toure and had 10 minutes to make an impact. Unable to do so and probably won't be getting a start any time soon. (6/10)


Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates scoring his goal with Danny Welbeck of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on December 21, 2014© Getty Images

Arsenal

Goal

Wojciech Szczesny: Could do little about either goal, but made eight other saves and was fault-free. (7/10)

Defence

Calum Chambers: Returned from suspension and was deployed at right-back. Struggled to get forward and was on the back foot for much of the game. (5/10)

Mathieu Debuchy: Got up well to nod in the equaliser and impressed at centre-back. Many might have expected Chambers to start centrally, but Debuchy is likely to continue there while Laurent Koscielny is out. (7/10)

Per Mertesacker: Didn't have too much to deal with in the air and wasn't exposed by the pace of Sterling. (5/10)

Kieran Gibbs: Got forward when he could down the left and was full of energy for the whole 100 minutes, bombing forward right until the end. (6/10)

Midfield

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Doesn't look completely comfortable in a deeper role. Much better when playing further forward. (5/10)

Mathieu Flamini: An ugly performance from the Frenchman, but it was his header that looped over to Debuchy for the crucial equaliser just before the break. (5/10)

Santi Cazorla: Lovely interplay with Giroud for the second, but not enough in the first half. Almost won it with the final kick. (6/10)

Attack

Alexis Sanchez: One of his quietest games for the Gunners. Not once did he really impact the game. (4/10)

Olivier Giroud: The whole of Arsenal's frontline disappointed in the first half and Giroud was the only one who made his mark after half time. Came off in the 82nd minute after his well-taken goal. (6/10)

Danny Welbeck: Like Alexis, Welbeck was non-existent for the most part. Against a Liverpool back three with not much experience playing together, didn't cause anywhere near enough problems. (4/10)

Substitutes

Francis Coquelin: Replaced Giroud and put himself about in the final 15 minutes. (6/10)

Joel Campbell: Came on after the 90-minute mark to scamper about. (6/10)

Nacho Monreal: Touched the ball twice in stoppage time. (6/10)


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Mathieu Debuchy of Arsenal celebrates scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on December 21, 2014
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