Liverpool beat Arsenal twice this season / Image via liverpoolecho.co.uk
Liverpool have kicked off their Premier League season with a win at the Emirates in the curtain raiser back in August, and Jurgen Klopp’s men have once again emerged victorious against Gunners in the reverse leg at Anfield today which was Liverpool’s second Premier League win in 2017.
Recently criticised Firmino opened the scoring after nine minutes after a brilliant attack as he fired the ball in the roof of the net from close range on Mane’s assist, while the Reds doubled their lead five minutes from time in the first half. Same two players were involved again, but with different roles this time as it was Firmino who assisted the unmarked Sadio Mane on the edge of the area for a precise low drive into the far corner. Reds scored their third goal in the final minutes of the match when Wijnaldum capitalised on a wonderful counterattack to end all Arsenal’s hopes.
Arsenal attempted to get back in the game as Wenger introduced Alexis Sanchez in the second half, but all the Chilean was able to do is to assist Welbeck for the consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat at Anfield.
Liverpool – Premier League’s Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde
If you had any doubts about it prior to this game, everything is clear as a bell now. Liverpool are having a contrasting season which saw them frustrate the fans with incredibly exciting performances against the biggest of teams, while on the other end suffer incredibly disappointing defeats to low-profile sides.
Liverpool have so far managed to beat Arsenal home and away – at the beginning of the season – Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and to draw against Manchester United, whereas the low points of their Premier League season are definitely defeats at Burnley, Bournemouth, to Swansea at home and at Hull City most recently.
In a manner of speaking, Liverpool indeed are Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde of the Premier League. Few people – other than their most faithful – could have expected this convincing performance against Arsenal, who in all honesty are not in the best place right now. But the Reds once again proved that big teams inspire them and draw the best out of Jurgen Klopp’s limited-quality side.
Arsenal not the same team without Ozil and Sanchez
Today’s match at Anfield was in a way a preview of a scenario that is more possible than what Arsenal fans are willing to admit.
With their two superstars Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez stalling on new contracts and thought to be thinking about leaving Emirates at the end of the season, Arsenal supporters were given a little taste of what is in store for them down the line without two most influential players on the pitch.
The Gunners lacked the creative touch of German playmaker who – despite relatively frequent critics – is a player who can solve games with one touch of brilliance.
Additionally, Alexis Sanchez’s absence in the first half resulted in Arsenal being so blunt in the attack in the first half. Lack of cutting edge up front has cost Gunners dearly, as Liverpool were able to exploit their lack of sharpness to execute direct attacks towards Cech’s goal.
Sanchez’s introduction was of immediate effect in the second half as it was the Chilean who was directly involved in Wellbeck’s goal with his assist, but Liverpool showed great strength of character to wrap up the huge three points in the end.
Midfield battle won the game for Reds
Today’s match at Anfield was solved in the middle of the park. Francis Coquelin and Granit Xhaka had no solution for the inspired Philippe Coutinho and traditionally dangerous Sadio Mane.
Arsenal’s defensive midfielders’ have not been a real match to their Liverpool counterparts, Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum who ended up doing their fair share of defensive duties, while at the same time pushing up hard to help the attack.
Without Mesut Ozil to pull the creative strings in the final third and Aaaron Ramsey to add the composure and strength to the centre of the park, Arsenal were relying on Oxlade-Chamberlain who has once again demonstrated to persistent Wenger that he is not a creative midfielder.
The introduction of Alexis Sanchez ushered a change of formation for Arsenal, who headed into the second half with Xhaka as the only player ahead of the back-four, but Liverpool’s fluent midfield continued to cause plenty of problems for Arsenal until the end of the game.
Arsene, oh Arsene…
It’s back to the drawing board for Arsenal boss who did himself a big favour today as the Frenchman fell victim to his own poor choices on Saturday afternoon.
Wenger Out initiative has never been more valid as Arsenal fans receive yet another blow to their utterly disappointing season and – in the case of Liverpool defeat particularly – they have none other to blame than Arsene Wenger.
Wenger’s poor selection choices – to firstly leave out Alexis Sanchez from the starting line-up, and secondly to have Theo Walcott come on too late in the game – have been costly to his side.
The Professor’s tactics for the match against Liverpool can also be placed under scrutiny as his 4-2-3-1 in the first half left far too many room for Liverpool to develop their play against players such as Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck who haven’t been that involved in defensive duties.
In the end, Arsene Wenger looks to be on the receiving end on another barrage of criticism as his Arsenal future appears to be in the balance as never before.
Top 4 battle has never been more exciting
Chelsea have already place one hand on the Premier League trophy, but the top four battle is very much still open.
With three points today, third-placed Liverpool have closed the gap to only one point behind Tottenham in second and although Reds have a game more than their top four rivals – and two more than Manchester City – they are still in the running for the highly desired place on the table.
Manchester United’s slump against Bournemouth today saw them remain in sixth, but the Red Devils are only one point behind fifth-placed Arsenal.
With only four points separating five teams in the top part of the Premier League table, the battle for top four remains wide open in what has so far been one of the most exciting season in the English top tier.
LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 7 – Clyne 7, Matip 7, Klavan 7.5, Milner 7 – Wijnaldum 7, Can 7.5, Lallana 7 (Leiva 6) – Mane 8, Firmino 8, Coutinho 7.5 (Origi 6.5).
Unused subs: Alexander-Arnold, karius, Lovren, Moreno, Woodburn.
ARSENAL: Cech 7 – Bellerin 6.5, Mustafi 6.5, Koscielny 6.5, Monreal 6 – Coquelin 6 (Sanchez 7.5), Xhaka 6.5 – Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Iwobi 6, Welbeck 7 (Walcott 6) – Giroud 6 (Perez 6)
Unused subs: Gibbs, Ospina, Gabriel, Ramsey.
REFEREE: Robert Madley
Other results today
Manchester United 1-1 Bournemouth
Leicester City 3-1 Hull City
Stoke City 2-0 Middlesbrough
Swansea City 3-2 Burnley
Watford 3-4 Southampton
West Brom 0-2 Crystal Palace
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