Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool: Xhaka sent off in 0-0 draw

Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool: Valiant 0-0 draw in Carabao Cup

Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker (C) punches the ball clear during the English League Cup semi-final first leg football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 13, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (R) vies with Arsenal’s English defender Ben White (L) and Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga (C) during the English League Cup semi-final first leg football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Midfielders

Bukayo Saka (RM) – 8/10 – It’s a tough enough job playing on the right wing in this Arsenal system, so remove a midfielder from the equation and Saka’s job becomes a near impossible task.

But, of course, he showed his outstanding quality and put in a remarkable shift. Whether it was contesting duels or keeping the ball in tight areas, he did the lot. It felt like Saka vs Liverpool most of the time. Everything positive going forward was through him.

Albert Sambi Lokonga (CM) – 7/10 – Had so much to deal with all match in what was only his second start in well over a month, and as the shape changed to a 5-3-1 he held the central areas as well as he could.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 0/10 – Idiot. Not only did Xhaka kill this game for Arsenal, he’s severely dented hopes of Arsenal securing a crucial Premier League victory against Tottenham on Sunday.

How can you be that spatially unaware that throwing your leg up on the edge of your box is even a debate? There are no words because he clearly knew he was there.

Gabriel Martinelli (LM) – 8/10 – Every single loose pass, and even those that couldn’t class as loose, Martinelli ran for. There is no such thing as a lost cause with the Brazilian. Like everyone, he left nothing on the pitch.

He had half a lung by the 60th minute.

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