Liverpool and Arsenal have been two of the strongest clubs in the Premier League for many years. The two teams have been very contrasting in recent years, with Liverpool repeatedly fighting for the championship while Arsenal have lost their place in European competitions. Here’s how it went down, along with the turning points that separated the games.
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Pre-match analysis: Liverpool overwhelmed by recent chemistry
Liverpool have been one of the best clubs in the Premier League since Jurgen Klopp took over as manager. They’ve won the league and the Champions League in the last four years and they’re literally dominating the competition.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have failed to qualify for the Champions League since the 2016-2017 season and this season, for the first time in 25 years, they are without a European competition (Champions League, Europa League or Conference League).
Despite the stark contrast between the two teams, Liverpool have a much better head-to-head record. In the last five years at Anfield, Liverpool have won six and drawn two. The last time Liverpool lost at home to Arsenal was back in September 2012.
There is a big difference between the two teams in terms of recent results and match-ups, but what will happen this time? Let’s take a look at the starting line-up.
For Liverpool, Diogo Jota replaces the injured Roberto Firmino at centre forward, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in for the injured Naby Keita in the centre of midfield.
Arsenal’s squad is much the same as it has been recently, with the return of Thomas Pertti in the centre of midfield. The return of the physical and technical midfielder will be encouraging.
A game with a big margin of victory (4-0)
Despite the deficit, the first half was a closely fought affair. The first half was a tight affair, with Liverpool pressing from the front to get the ball and keep it. It was a game of possession and endurance for Arsenal.
Liverpool had the better of the possession, but they were unable to penetrate the Arsenal defence with their 4-4-2 block. Arsenal countered with the occasional sharp counter-attack to keep Liverpool at bay.
It was a set piece that broke the deadlock. In the 39th minute of the first half, Liverpool were fouled in Arsenal territory and were awarded a free kick. After a foul in the Arsenal half, Liverpool were awarded a free-kick in the 39th minute, and kicker Trent Alexander-Arnold’s kick found the middle of an Arsenal defender, who headed home past Sadio Mane. As the first half drew to a close, Liverpool finally took the lead.
The first half ended in style, but the second half saw the score change dramatically. In the 52nd minute, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota cut the ball out of the path of Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares and slotted home past Arsenal centre-back Ben White and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdell to give the visitors the lead.
With a two-goal lead in their own half, Arsenal were forced to push forward. Liverpool’s pattern of playing fast attackers behind the defenders and playing long counters became a favourite. In the 73rd and 77th minutes of the second half, the same pattern was followed by goals from Mohamed Salah and Takumi Minamino. The lead was extended to four goals.
Arsenal’s will to fight was gone. With no energy to fight back, the game ended 4-0. At first glance, it looks like Liverpool dominated Arsenal, but a closer look at the game reveals the turning point that separated the two sides. Let’s take a closer look at the match and see why Liverpool won the game.
Turning Point 1: The decision that led to the first goal
The first turning point of the game was the referee’s decision that led to the first goal. In the 38th minute of the first half, Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette made a fierce charge at Liverpool’s Mane, who had the ball in midfield.
The referee blows his whistle. The referee blows his whistle and awards a free kick to Liverpool for pushing, which is when a defender uses his hands to push the ball carrier.
It was a delicate decision when you look at it in slow motion. Some referees will call it a foul and some will not. As it turned out, this decision had a big influence on the outcome of the game.
It was a foul which led to a free-kick which Liverpool took and scored. The score had a huge impact on the game. In the first half, Liverpool kept possession and pushed Arsenal, but they couldn’t get the ball through. The first half ended with Liverpool needing three points to win, and they were getting impatient.
The decision to award a free kick proved to be the turning point in the game.
The second turning point was the use of inexperienced players.
The second turning point in the game was Arsenal’s use of players. Arsenal have been playing with the youngest starting eleven in the Premier League so far.
There were eight players under the age of 25 in the starting line-up against Liverpool, including goalkeeper Ramsdale, right-back Kenyasu Tomiyasu, left-back Tavares, centre-backs White and Gabriel, midfielder Alberto Sambi-Lokonga and wingers Saka Bukayo and Emile Smith-Rowe. Eight players. When you consider that Liverpool have only two players in their squad, Kostas Tsimikas (left back) and Jota (forward), you can see that this is a very young squad.
Young players can sometimes bring freshness and energy to a team, but they can also be a double-edged sword, as they lack experience and can be dangerous. After three consecutive defeats, Arsenal’s dynamic young squad has been performing well, but against Liverpool, the negative side of the team showed its face.
Firstly, they conceded a goal in the 39th minute of the first half. In the 39th minute of the first half, Sadio Mane was unmarked by youngsters Ben White and Kenyou Tomiyasu. It was a mistake in the dying minutes of the first half, after a good performance earlier in the game.
Then came the second goal. The inexperience of the youngsters was even more evident in the second goal. Tavares took the ball from Alexander-Arnold on the left and started to dribble. But he was blocked and opted for a back pass. But there was a pitfall. When you make a back pass, you should have a clear view of the centre-backs and make sure they are not in the vicinity before you kick the ball.
But Tavares didn’t have a good view of the situation and passed the ball. The result was the same as before. One goal would have been enough for an equaliser or even a comeback, but Arsenal were despondent after the second goal. It was the goal that decided the game.
It was a game where Liverpool showed their mastery of the game, but it was also a game where Arsenal showed their inexperience.
