Premier League leaders Liverpool roared back from going a goal down to batter Arsenal 5-1, stretching their advantage to nine points over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles slid in for the shock 11th-minute opener for the visitors to Anfield. But this only sparked a brutal reaction from the Reds.
Roberto Firmino claimed a hat-trick, Sadio Mane tapped home and Mohamed Salah rocketed in a penalty.
Here are the Liverpool player ratings:
LIVERPOOL 4-2-3-1
Alisson 7 – Produced a pass only bettered in beauty by his looks in the lead up to Liverpool’s fourth. Saved well when required and completely at ease in possession.
Virgil van Dijk 7 – For such a giant of a man, it’s the small moments in which he is so crucial. His ability to cut out danger before it builds is absolutely pivotal.
Dejan Lovren 6 – Sloppy at times but strong in on other occasions. A typical Lovren performance in that regard but he partnered well with Van Dijk to silence Aubameyang.
Andrew Robertson 7 – A weirdly up and down performance from Liverpool’s Mr Consistent. Well out of position for Arsenal’s opener, a stunning pass in the lead up to his side’s third.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 7 – Calm and composed. He had a bit of a wobbled a few weeks ago but has very much returned to his assured best.
Fabinho 7 – A couple of times he erred with simple passes in the early goings but regained his sense of control to dominate in midfield thereafter.
Georginio Wijnaldum 8 – The Dutchman has been a delight all season and this performance hallmarked everything he does. On both sides of the ball was excellent.
Roberto Firmino 9 – Made Arsenal defence look like complete amateurs. Two gifts for his first and third but in between that was an absurd goal of skill and poise.
6 - Roberto Firmino's hat-trick is the sixth to have been scored in fixtures between Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League - the most hat-tricks in a single fixture in @premierleague history. Trebles. #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/ATirRHbceu
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 29, 2018
Xherdan Shaqiri 6 – Is the man for the big occasion but this wasn’t one of his best displays in Red. Still hammered himself into the ground for his side’s cause, though.
Sadio Mane 7 – Was an intrinsic element of Liverpool’s free-flowing attacking football. Took his goal well and deserved his applause when substituted.
Mohamed Salah 8 – The Egyptian is hotting up thanks to his cool traits returning. Presence of mind to peel away before directing into Mane’s path for the third was class.
SUBSTITUTES
Jordan Henderson 6 – Arrived with a third of the game left but the match already sown up. Fortified their midfield to ensure they didn’t concede again.
Adam Lallana N/A – Not enough time to impress
Nathaniel Clyne N/A – Given a rare cameo.
