Emirates Stadium side edge past Merseyside visitors and into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Lukasz Fabianski – 8
Pole was in fine form as he stepped in for fellow countryman Wojciech Szczesny and made crucial saves to deny both Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
Carl Jenkinson – 6
Was given a chance as Bacary Sagna was rested and the youngster performed well when up against the tenacious Raheem Sterling.
Per Mertesacker – 7
Another strong performance from the big German, who kept the Reds attack at bay and will have put the bad memories of a 5-1 defeat behind him.
Lauren Koscielny – 6
Was caught out by the pace of Sturridge early in the first half, but regrouped well and denied the strong opposition attack any space.
Nacho Monreal – 6
Is most certainly second choice to Kieran Gibbs in the starting XI, but played solidly against Suarez although was a little lost at times.
Mathieu Flamini – 7
It was a first game back for the Frenchman after suspension and earned a booking once again, but denied the visitors space in the middle of the field and did his job well.
Mikel Arteta – 6
Just can’t seem to settle alongside Flamini as a deep-lying playmaker and although looked comfortable on the ball, the Spaniard’s passing was predictable.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 8
A Man of the Match display from the England international, who was composed to score the first and then broke well down the right flank to provide the ball for the second.
Mesut Ozil – 6
As always some good off the ball play from the club record signing and Ozil’s passing was solid, but still looked a little off the pace in the game.
Lukas Podolski – 6
Was a bit of an anonymous showing from the 28-year-old, but the German was in the right place to net the second, although did then bring down Suarez for the penalty.
Yaya Sanogo – 7
The biggest shock before the game was a first start for the young Frenchman, but Sanogo tried hard and although looked a little ungainly, put in a solid display.
Substitutions:
Kieran Gibbs – 6
Came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain to shore up the defence and keep Sterling quiet down the right flank.
Santi Cazorla – 6
Replaced Podolski midway through the second half and should have really scored when skying a half volley over the bar.
Brad Jones – 5
Not a great game for the backup goalkeeper, with Jones looking uncomfortable throughout the game and getting nowhere near either goal.
Jon Flanagan – 7
Another decent display from the young right-back who is proving all his critics wrong with a sound defensive and attacking showing.
Martin Skrtel – 6
Got the better of Yaya Sanogo and generally looked strong at the back, although the defence were torn apart for the hosts’ second.
Daniel Agger – 6
Back in the starting XI after Kolo Toure’s disastrous performance against Fulham in the Premier League and the Dane looked composed at the back.
Aly Cissokho – 5
Was second best to Oxlade-Chamberlain throughout the game and the left-back’s passing was always wayward.
Steven Gerrard – 8
A fine display from the captain who’s passing was consistently superb and also made no mistake from the penalty spot to claw a goal back for his side.
Joe Allen – 6
The Welshman performed his job of tidying things up in midfield well, although was not as good as Jordan Henderson in the role.
Coutinho – 7
A classy display from the Brazilian who showed real skill and creativity behind the three-man attack and linked up well with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
Raheem Sterling – 6
Not the same sort of performance that the 19-year-old gave against the Gunners last time out, but Sterling was still good when running at defenders and taking them on.
Luis Suarez – 8
Failed to find the net once again but the Uruguayan’s all round play was brilliant, constantly causing the hosts problems in and around the box and won the penalty.
Daniel Sturridge – 7
Like Suarez didn’t manage to build on his impressive goal tally this term, but was intelligent and got the better of Laurent Koscielny on several occasions.
Substitutions:
Jordan Henderson – 6
Came on for Cissokho but provided nothing of the Henderson that has been on show this campaign and perhaps should have started.
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