The Reds controlled the game from start to finish, though, in the first 45 minutes, created few chances – James Milner, in for Gini Wijnaldum, who played three games in a week for the Netherlands, should have done better on 30 minutes when the excellent Trent Alexander Arnold cut the ball back to him on the edge of the area only for Milner to shoot past the post. Going in scoreless at the half, it seemed as if Liverpool, like so many times this season, might have squandered their dominance and Arsenal wouldn’t be so passive in the second half.
And, indeed, in the first 10 minutes of the second 45, Arsenal enjoyed some useful possession that drew Allison Becker into action and it looked as if we might have a different game. However, once Jurgen Klopp made the decision after an hour to take off Andrew Robertson at left-back, Milner slipping in there, and bring on Diogo Jota – like Wijnaldum rested after his international exploits for Portugal – the game decisively changed in Liverpool’s favour.
On the 64th minute, a perfect cross from Alexander Arnold on the right bisected the Arsenal centre-backs and found the head of Jota just outside the six-yard box and he powered the ball past the helpless Bernt Leno.
Four minutes later, a superb curling chipped ball forward from the outstanding Fabinho bamboozled Gabrielle who mistimed his tackle on Mohammed Salah, not getting enough of the ball as he made a sliding challenge, allowing Salah to go through one-on-one with the oncoming Arsenal keeper, Salah calmly slotting the ball through his legs and into the back of the net.
Arsenal had no meaningful response and Liverpool continued to dominate possession and look threatening. The third goal came in the 81st minute after awful play out from the back from Arsenal led to an interchange between Alexander Arnold and Salah on the right and culminated with the Egyptian sliding the ball into Mané who miscontrolled only for the onrushing Jota to slam home.
A potentially crucial win for Liverpool. Not only does it put them firmly back in the race for the top four –elevating the Reds to 49 points, just two behind Chelsea – who were surprisingly beaten 5-2 at home by lowly West Bromwich Albion – and seven behind Leicester – who went down 2-0 to Manchester City; but it will also stand them in good stead for the upcoming Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid. Another clean sheet for the makeshift centre back partnership of Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak; but it remains to be seen how these two inexperienced defenders manage against a far more canny Spanish team led in attack by Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior.
And, indeed, in the first 10 minutes of the second 45, Arsenal enjoyed some useful possession that drew Allison Becker into action and it looked as if we might have a different game. However, once Jurgen Klopp made the decision after an hour to take off Andrew Robertson at left-back, Milner slipping in there, and bring on Diogo Jota – like Wijnaldum rested after his international exploits for Portugal – the game decisively changed in Liverpool’s favour.
On the 64th minute, a perfect cross from Alexander Arnold on the right bisected the Arsenal centre-backs and found the head of Jota just outside the six-yard box and he powered the ball past the helpless Bernt Leno.
Four minutes later, a superb curling chipped ball forward from the outstanding Fabinho bamboozled Gabrielle who mistimed his tackle on Mohammed Salah, not getting enough of the ball as he made a sliding challenge, allowing Salah to go through one-on-one with the oncoming Arsenal keeper, Salah calmly slotting the ball through his legs and into the back of the net.
Arsenal had no meaningful response and Liverpool continued to dominate possession and look threatening. The third goal came in the 81st minute after awful play out from the back from Arsenal led to an interchange between Alexander Arnold and Salah on the right and culminated with the Egyptian sliding the ball into Mané who miscontrolled only for the onrushing Jota to slam home.
A potentially crucial win for Liverpool. Not only does it put them firmly back in the race for the top four –elevating the Reds to 49 points, just two behind Chelsea – who were surprisingly beaten 5-2 at home by lowly West Bromwich Albion – and seven behind Leicester – who went down 2-0 to Manchester City; but it will also stand them in good stead for the upcoming Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid. Another clean sheet for the makeshift centre back partnership of Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak; but it remains to be seen how these two inexperienced defenders manage against a far more canny Spanish team led in attack by Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior.
