Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Live Player Ratings for Both Teams

Liverpool tore Arsenal apart at Anfield on Saturday, running out 5-1 winners after a barnstorming first half.

The Reds led 4-0 by the 20-minute mark after two goals from Martin Skrtel and one each for Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge. Sterling added a fifth after the break before a Mikel Arteta penalty gave Arsenal a consolation.

Player	HT	FT
Mignolet	6	7
Flanagan	7	8
Skrtel	9	10
Toure	7	7
Cissokho	7	7
Gerrard	8	9
Henderson	8	8
Coutinho	8	8
Sterling	8	9
Suarez	8	8
Sturridge	8	8

Player	HT	FT
Szczesny	5	5
Sagna	4	4
Mertesacker	4	3
Koscielny	3	2
Monreal	5	4
Arteta	4	4
Wilshere	7	7
Oxlade-Chamberlain	6	7
Ozil	5	4
Cazorla	6	5
Giroud	4	4

First half analysis

Liverpool started like a house on fire and led inside 60 seconds and refused to let up from there. Skrtel twice was left alone to finish well from set pieces and punished Arsenal, while the home team have absolutely bossed the midfield zone.

First to win second balls, first to make interceptions and certainly working the harder as a unit to press Arsenal, Liverpool created a succession of chances through out-battling their opponents.

Both the third and fourth goals came as a result of winning the ball in the middle, allied to the Reds' lightning-fast transitions.

Arsenal have improved with their possession count since going 4-0 down—but it's been without much penetration at all, with Skrtel and Gerrard winning everything both in the air and on the ground.

Second half analysis

Arsenal enjoyed far more possession after the break and looked to get in behind the Reds' defence more, but Liverpool largely controlled the spaces in front of the back-line, forcing Arsenal into shots from range.

On the counter, Liverpool remained devastating and beat Arsenal's raggedy back four for pace every time. Sterling in particular was a massive threat but Liverpool had numbers and options in attack every time.

Follow @karlmatchett