Match Report & Player Ratings ARS/LIV

---

---

As both sides walked out onto the picturesque pitch at the Emirates Stadium, the home side were desperate for three points in order to have any hope at European football next season, while Jurgen Klopp’s team needed a win to keep their chances of breaking 100 points alive, meaning it was all to play for.

The visitors took control of the game from the first whistle with their relentless high press forcing the Gunners defence into giving possession back, while also stopping them from feeding the ball into danger men Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe. This was highlighted early on when keeper Emilio Martinez was indecisive on the ball, giving time to Roberto Firmino to close him who intercepted his pass only for it to hit the outside of the post, saving the Arsenal shot-stoppers blushes. Then in the 20th minute, a blockbuster breakaway starting with Robertson winning the ball back and continuing his run into the area, the Scotsman was then able to play an inch perfect pass back into the onrushing Mane for the opening goal. As we have seen in other big games since Arteta’s appointment, the Gunners new mentality meant they didn’t crumble after going one nil down and quickly found themselves back in the game as a very lackadaisical back pass from Van-Dijk was intercepted by Lacazette, allowing him to confidently take it around Allison and slot the ball into an empty net to level up the scores. With the home side finding joy from the high press themselves they were able to force another loose pass from the Liverpool defence, this time from Allison with Lacazette first one hand to rob the possession back on the right hand side of the box, the Frenchman picked his head up and found Reiss Nelson in the area, where the 20-year old took one touch and finished emphatically into the bottom corner to give Arsenal the lead going into half-time.

• 

• 

Jurgen Klopp’s side were evidently on the receiving end of a stern team talk at half-time as they came out fired up for the second 45 minutes, perhaps too fired up as early on a 50-50 between Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka saw the Liverpool right-back fly into the 18-year old and catch him high up with his studs showing. VAR appeared not to look at the incident as they deemed referee Paul Tierney’s yellow card to be adequate, however in recent weeks we have seen players take the walk for a lot less. The visitors continued to enjoying long spells of possession, but weren’t creating a lot with it, until Van-Dijk’s long ball found Alexander-Arnold down the right, which he cut back for Salah as the Egyptian twisted and turned to create the space to allow him to poke the ball towards goal, forcing Martinez into another fine stop. Then in the 95th minute, Liverpool’s short corner found Alexander-Arnold on the edge of the area who unleashed an effort from distance which ricochet off David Luiz and looked destine to be the equaliser for the visitors, until Martinez scrambled across his goal to push it around the post and secure the three points for Arsenal.

---

Player Ratings

---

Subs