Arsenal managed to score three goals in five minutes during their second half against Liverpool but key players not showing up in the first cost them.

Here’s how they all got on individually.

1Petr Cech 6

Although the goalkeeper made six saves during the course of the game and couldn’t have done much about the first two goals Liverpool scored, he was at fault for the third.

The first goal was the fault of Laurent Koscielny, who backed off Roberto Firmino, giving him acres of space to get a shot away and score. The second was slightly deflected off Shkodran Mustafi – again, not a lot the 35-year-old could have done. However, that Firmino equaliser was infuriating. The big guy basically palmed the ball into his own net when he could have saved it with a stronger wrist.

2Hector Bellerin 6

Despite being pretty poor this season, the right-back looked comfortable and sharp during the opening 10 minutes or so. After this, he reverted back to his usual habits of bombing forward like a puppy dog, leaving the rest of the defence in the lurch.

However, in total, he won four tackles and made two clearances. And obviously provided Alexis Sanchez with an assist.

3Laurent Koscielny 6

There was a time when having Kos at centre-back filled Gooners with confidence. Well, that time has well and truly passed. The Frenchman once again seemed slow against Liverpool, leaving it too late to close down Firmino for the first goal and continuing to make the same mistakes throughout the game.

Kos, however, win five aerial duels.

4Nacho Monreal 5.5

Although the Spaniard was subbed off at half time after receiving a heavy challenge earlier in the game, it was probably for the best anyway.

I love Nacho and he’s usually so consistent but he just doesn’t work well as a centre-back in a back four. The 31-year-old looks lost and confused.

Arsene Wenger needs to either move him back out left or only play him as part of a back three because his confidence can’t be great right now.

5Ainsley Maitland-Niles 7

Another solid performance from the 20-year-old. It’s clear to see why Wenger keeps giving him the nod ahead of Sead Kolasinac – even if Maitland-Niles isn’t naturally a left-back.

The younger was one of the brightest Arsenal players on the pitch. He was constantly trying to influence the game and looked confident. All he needs is more experience in order to work on his composure.

He won two aerial duels, two tackles and completed 88% of his passes.

6Jack Wilshere 5

Jack has well and truly been thrown into Premier League football over the last two weeks and while I’m sure he’s having a great time, he wasn’t nearly as sharp as usual against Liverpool.

Without Aaron Ramsey anchoring us, which Jack is supposed to be doing, our midfield looked non-existent. Jack seemed unsure of his role and was often seen drifting around out of position.

He did, however, complete four dribbles.

7Granit Xhaka 5

Xhaka was mostly terrible against Liverpool. If it hadn’t been for his second half goal, I would have only given him a 4.

The midfielder looked lost in midfield and often seemed to just be running in circles with the ball or passing backwards.

8Mesut Ozil 8

Although the playmaker had a quiet first half, in the second he made his presence well and truly known. Not only was the German the main driving force behind our three-goal comeback, he even netted a beauty of a goal.

The way he conducted play between Alex Iwobi and Alexis late in the match was stunning.

9Alex Iwobi 6

Again, if it wasn’t for Iwobi’s assist, I would be awarding him a 5. The midfielder’s first half performance against Jurgen Klopp’s men was probably as bad as I’ve ever seen him play in an Arsenal shirt.

He was consistently wandering out of position and seems to be really unfit at the moment. In fact, he looked knackered before the match had even kicked off.

10Alexis Sanchez 5

Like Iwobi, Alexis’ display was one of the worst I’ve seen and even though he did score (his only effort on target), I’m bitter so he gets a 5. If he can’t be bothered to turn up for the other 50 minutes of the game, how does he expect to be taken seriously?

The 29-year-old only completed 60% (!) of his passes.

11Alexandre Lacazette 6

The Frenchman got into dangerous positions but couldn’t manage a single shot. Saying that, his hold-up play for Ozil and Alexis was good and his backheel for the German’s goal was rather tasty.

12Shkodran Mustafi 7

Came on at half-time and did better than Nacho who was having a shocker. Great to have him back and fit.

13Danny Welbeck 4

Replaced Alex Iwobi with 12 minutes to go. That was plenty of time to provide an airkick assist or shinned finish that ricocheted off his arse and into the goal. Most disappointing.

14Theo Walcott 10

The only possible reason for bringing Theo Walcott on with one minute remaining and removing Alexis Sanchez is to annoy Alexis Sanchez. For this reason, this substitution, if not the performance that followed from Theo in the 300 seconds he was on the pitch, gets a 10. That being said, Arsenal did score three in 388 seconds, so you know, buck up Theo.

I jest. If you are going for a winner you do not take off Alexis for Walcott, no matter how badly the former is playing. You certainly don’t do it with only injury time remaining.

A total f-you to Alexis.

Lovely.

Stats via Who Scored.