Arsenal v Liverpool Ratings

 Almunia

He was athletic and alert the whole game making crucial saves at important parts of the game. Proving that he can help Arsenal win points whatever Lehmann might say. His kicking and distribution remains excellent and it offers the team options in defence.

Rating: 8 

Sagna 

He was solid at the back, and the packed midfield meant he had to pay more attention to his defensive duties so he did not get forward so often. His heading was good and his tackling was clean.

Rating: 7 

Toure

Kolo had an extraordinary game with excellent tackling. He lost a couple of aerial battles against Crouch but who wouldn't? He went forward a few times and added strength to the attack when he did.

Rating: 7.5

Gallas

He and Kolo are developing into an awesome defensive unit, each displaying great awareness of the other's position and organising the team's defence around them. His last-ditch block on a late Gerrard shot might well have preserved the results. If he stays injury free, he seems set to provide well-needed defensive solidity to the team.

Rating: 7.5 

Clichy 

Gael was solid in tackling as usual, and galloped forward with the ball with great speed to attack. His weakness remains his imprecision in the last third which is forgivable given his commitment, work rate, and how much distance he covers to get into attack and recover quickly into defence. Was substituted in the second half.

Rating: 7 

Rosicky

For the third game in a row Rosicky has looked less potent than he usually is. This might be due to his recent return from injury. He gave the ball away many times in the final third and his link-up play with the forward line was less precise than it usually is. Showed great pace to get behind the Liverpool defence in a move which saw Reina rush out of goal, failing which he'd have been through on goal with a clear chance to score.

Rating: 5.5 

Fabregas 

Started out badly by his usual celestial standards but was always central to Arsenal's game helping torment Liverpool with his precise and quick passing. His defensive game was a bit off but that's a function of how the team plays with him playing in such an advanced position. Missed a sitter. He was a bit lucky on the goal but it was his quickness which confused Reina and forced the mistake. His late shot nearly secured the 3 points .

Rating: 8 

Flamini

Matthieu had another good game in the heart of midfield, marking his arse out, and running endlessly for the team. His excellent passing game contributed a lot to Arsenal's retention of possession and contributed a lot going forward as well, making long runs to get into attacking positions in the box. His performance when he dropped to left back late on weakens his overall score since he was much less effective there and failed to track Gerrard a couple of key times, the second almost leading to a last minute goal.

Rating: 7 

Eboue 

He always brought power and great dribbling to the team, but his link-up play and his choices were quite ineffective. His major weakness right now is his lack of commitment in defence, and determination in attack.

Rating: 5.5

Hleb

He was for me, the man of the match running Liverpool to bits with his quick feet, pace and intelligent movement. His decision-making was sublime, and his commitment to defending from the front was brilliant. Playing just behind Adebayor in an advanced midfield position, he troubled Liverpool all evening even if he had little presence in the Liverpool box. His vision in picking out Fabregas for the equaliser from a standing position while surrounded by three hard Liverpool men is the play of the season so far.

Rating: 9 

Adebayor

The Togolese seems to be caught in a crisis of confidence. His decision making was terrible and he struggled to make an impact on the game.

Rating: 5