Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool, player ratings

Liverpool players celebrate Sadio Mane’s goal with their manager Jurgen Klopp

LIVERPOOL laid down a statement of intent by opening their Premier League campaign with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Arsenal.

Theo Walcott got the hosts off the mark with clinical finish just minutes after missing a penalty, but the Gunners were denied a deserved first-half lead when Philippe Coutinho netted a stunning free kick just before the interval.

Adam Lallana finished off a superb passing move to given the Reds the lead before another sublime strike from Coutinho and an impressive debut goal from Sadio Mane put them in control.

Substitute Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain pulled a goal back for the Gunners and Calum Chambers’ header set up an exciting finish but Arsene Wenger’s side could not prevent another opening day defeat.

Sportsmail’s  SAMI MOKBEL was at the Emirates to rate both sets of players…

Phlippe Coutinho wheels away after scoring a stunning free-kick just before half-time

ARSENAL

Petr Cech – Conceding four goals was not the way the great Czech wanted his opening day to go. 5.5

Hector Bellerin – Good first half, not so good second half. He’ll improve, though. Too good not to. 5.5

Calum Chambers – Looks a shadow of the player that impressed during the opening weeks of his Arsenal career. So short on confidence. 5 

Arsenal’s Petr Cech dives in vain as Coutinho’s world class free-kick sails past him

Rob Holding – A promising start but soon discovered the brutal nature of Premier League. Should never been been put in this position. 5

Nacho Monreal – Solid enough in the first half but was run ragged by Liverpool after the break. 5.5

Mohamed Elneny – Massive show of faith from Wenger to play him ahead of £34m new-boy Granit Xhaka. Showed good energy. 6 

 Former Bolton defender Rob Holding (left) was given a baptism of fire on his debut

Francis Coquelin – Tried his best to to close down Liverpool’s space – but his passing was wasteful. 6

Theo Walcott – Showed great character to score Arsenal’s opener just moments after missing a penalty. 7.5

Aaron Ramsey – Innovative and inventive in the No 10 role but limped off with an injury in the second half. 7.5

Alex Iwobi – Already made an impact on the season with an assist for Walcott’s goal but limped off with an injury. 7 

 England international Walcott missed from the spot before scoring minutes later

Alexis Sanchez – Deployed as a lone striker but he is not the answer. His display underlined how badly Arsenal need a new No 9. 6.5

Subs

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Started Arsenal’s comeback with an excellent individual goal. 7

Santi Cazorla – Caught up with the pace of the game immediately. His free-kick set up Arsenal’s third. 7

Granit Xhaka – Not the circumstances he’d have wanted his Arsenal debut to come, but played his part in an enthralling game. 6.5

Substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came on to pull a goal back for the Gunners

LIVERPOOL

Simon Mignolet – Brilliantly saved Walcott’s penalty before being beaten soon after by the Arsenal forward. 7

Nathaniel Clyne – Bundles of energy from the right-back. Good first day from the England man. 7

Dejan Lovren – Combative in the heart of Liverpool’s defence. Probably could have done better for Liverpool’s second, though. 6.5 

 The mercurial Brazilian lets fly with a free-kick to level the scores on the stroke of half-time

Ragner Klavan – Promising debut from the Estonian centre-back. Looks strong and composed. Good presence. 6.5

Alberto Moreno – His reckless challenge cost his side a penalty before slack marking cost Liverpool the opener. Not good enough. 4.5

Jordan Henderson – Energetic in Liverpool’s engine room. Cajoled his players in the face of late pressure from Arsenal. 7 

 Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum (left) puts his best foot forward against  Francis Coquelin

Georginio Wijnaldum – Notched his first assist in a Liverpool shirt on his debut. Not a bad way to introduce yourself. 7

Adam Lallana – The England international got his season off to a flying start. Took his goal excellently. 8

Sadio Mane – Unplayable at times. His goal was brilliant. Will be a key man for Jurgen Klopp this season. 8.5

Philippe Coutinho – The sight of him limping off will strike fear into Liverpool fans. Two goals on the opening day…it doesn’t get much better. 8 

 Adam Lallana (centre) completed a superb passing move by firing past Cech

Roberto Fimino – Led the line well for his team but couldn’t score the goal his all-round play deserved. 7.5

Subs

Emre Can – Came on to shore up Liverpool’s midfield as Arsenal staged a come back. 6 

 Another new arrival Sadio Mane produced a man of the match performance on his debut

Divock Origi – Gave Liverpool’s attack a different dimension for the closing stages. 6

Kevin Stewart – Introduced in the dying minutes. 6

MOM – Sadio Mane 

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