3 standout players from Arsenal's FA Cup defeat against Liverpool

Arsenal and Liverpool faced off for the second time in a few weeks, this time in the third round of the FA Cup.

The Gunners were the better side in the first half but they squandered a series of chances, including Kai Havertz, who could have had a hat trick in reality.

After the restart, Jakub Kiwior put the ball in his own net from a Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick before Luis Diaz finished the game off with a brilliant finish.

It was a much better performance from Mikel Arteta's men than in recent games. They created good quality chances and pressed superbly but, once again, poor finishing let them down.

3 standout players from Arsenal's FA Cup defeat to Liverpool

Let's go through the 3 best performances from Arsenal players.

1. Aaron Ramsdale

Ramsdale was preferred to David Raya for the first time in a while but it may have got Mikel Arteta thinking.

Rambo didn't do much wrong. In the first couple of minutes, he played an incredible pass to Reiss Nelson who should have scored.

Throughout the game, he was good with his feet. He also managed to keep out a Luis Diaz effort with a very strong hand before Liverpool took the lead.

It wasn't the most amazing performance from the Englishman, but he did everything he could. Criticism pointed towards the goalkeeper for the first goal seems harsh.

2. Declan Rice

Arsenal fans probably won't give this man the credit he deserves because his standards are so very high.

It was a brilliant performance from Declan Rice, who completed six tackles throughout the game as well as winning seven out of ten ground duels.

Arsenal have been so solid defensively this season, despite conceding goals. Rice has been an instrumental part of that.

To take Arsenal to the next level, Arteta needs a #6 who can play incredible vertical passes and combine with Rice. If only Thomas Partey could stay fit for more than ten games a season...

3. William Saliba

Incredible, as per usual.

In Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, we have two fantastic players who almost always play well. I don't think either of them are quite on Saliba's level.

Defensively, he is a monster. He has this ability to snuff out attacks that is out of this world, and he is capable of tackles like the one above.

On the ball, Saliba is a joke. So many times, Liverpool played a ball over the top and Saliba dealt with an incoming Red like a dad playing with their kid in the park.

Outsprinting Darwin Núñez, outmuscling anyone that came near him, Saliba hardly put a foot wrong. He deserved to be on the winning team but his forwards let him down.