The weekend’s biggest match in the Premier League lived up to the hype as Liverpool and Arsenal battled it out Sunday afternoon. Today was the Gunners’ day as Arsenal won 3-2. 2 goals from Bukayo Saka and one from Gabriel Martinelli were enough to see Arsenal through.
Liverpool’s goals were scored by Darwin Núñez in the 34th and Roberto Firmino in the 53rd minute. Liverpool’s defence wasn’t up to the task this afternoon and the Gunners lived up to their nickname by getting shots toward the Reds’ net.
It was another bad performance by the Liverpool backline. However, Arsenal were dominant at times and probably would have sliced up just about any team’s defence this afternoon. This was the best game of Premier League football so far this season. It’s just a shame that the Reds were on the losing end of it.
First Half
Liverpool couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start. Gabriel Martinelli scored for Arsenal 58 seconds into the match. Bukayo Saka brought it up the pitch in a flash, and then Martin Ødegaard threaded a beautiful pass in between Joël Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Martinelli finished the lightning quick build-up for Arsenal, slotting the ball past Alisson low to the left. The Arsenal goal, once again, exploited a weakness in the Liverpool backline. At times this season, Liverpool’s defence has had an open door policy in front of their own net.
Liverpool once again would have to play from behind. And as the half went on, the Reds would grow into the game. Liverpool would find an equalizer in the 34th minute through Darwin Núñez. Alexander-Arnold set the play up with a long ball over the top, down the right channel.
Luis Díaz took the ball off Arsenal defender Gabriel’s foot and crossed it low into the middle. Núñez would finish the play by sliding in and getting his foot on the ball. It is the Uruguayan’s first Premier League goal since the opening weekend at Fulham.
Unfortunately, his sublime assist would be the last contribution that Díaz would have this afternoon. The Colombian forward took an injury of some kind in the 42nd minute and was replaced by Roberto Firmino.
The first half would end in the same way it began, with a great Arsenal build up leading to a goal. This time it was a buzzer beater by Bukayo Saka in stoppage time. The England international forward would score in the 45+5, seconds before the halftime whistle to put Arsenal up 2-1.
The 2nd Arsenal goal looked a lot like their first. The Gunners ripped the Reds’ defence open on another counter-attacking rush, this time led by Martinelli. He would cross the ball low and Saka would finish the goal, sliding towards the left post.
Second Half
Jürgen Klopp shook up the Liverpool backline at the half, substituting Joe Gomez for the struggling Alexander-Arnold. Trent was again poor for Liverpool but, he was also clipped by Martinelli in the first half and might have been taken off due to injury.
Liverpool would draw even in the 53rd minute, once again thanks to Roberto Firmino. It is Firmino’s 6th goal of the season and all of them have come in Premier League play. It’s hard to think about where the Reds would be without him this season.
Firmino scored by shooting the ball low, across the face of the goal, and into the far corner past Arsenal goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale. Diogo Jota set the Reds’ Brazilian striker loose with a great feed into the box. It was an excellent response by Liverpool exactly when they needed to respond.
Arsenal would take the lead back in the 76th minute once again through Bukayo Saka. This time the Gunners’ young attacker would do it from the penalty spot. Arsenal drew a penalty after a chaotic period of play that saw Alisson make two saves off Arsenal shots.
Thiago barely caught Gabriel Jesus’ boot and the Arsenal striker went to the ground. Referee Michael Oliver immediately pointed to the penalty spot but, let’s face it, it was a weak call. After a VAR review and a number of players getting involved in some theatrics, Saka coolly scored the penalty low to Alisson’s right.
The goal scored on the penalty would be the difference in the match. Both teams played an outstanding game of football in North London late Sunday afternoon. However, it was Arsenal’s statement that was the loudest.
LFC Globe Verdict
The verdict is in, and it’s not good for Liverpool. This loss feels like one that will be defining for the Reds this season. In previous seasons, Liverpool would just brush Arsenal aside, but not so now. Arsenal have made a statement today, but Liverpool failed to respond.
Arsenal are probably going to be in the Champions League come the end of this season. They might also win the Premier League. Liverpool aren’t nearly good enough to win the league this year, and being mid-table sure isn’t going to get you into the Champions League.
Man of the Match and What’s Next
Liverpool played well at times in this match but Arsenal were just the better team today. For the Reds, the Man of the Match goes to Roberto Firmino. Coming on at the end of the first half, Firmino was consistently Liverpool’s most dangerous offensive player today.
For Arsenal, the MOTM has to be Bukayo Saka. His two goals put the Gunners over the top, and he helped set up the first Arsenal goal in the opening minute.
Next for Liverpool is a return engagement against Rangers on Wednesday night in the Champions League. Kick-off from Ibrox in Glasgow will be at 20:00 BST. Next Sunday, it doesn’t get any easier for the Reds in the Premier League. Manchester City come to Anfield for another 16:30 BST kick-off.
Goals
Arsenal – Martinelli 1’, Saka 45+5’, Saka 76’ (Penalty)
Liverpool – Núñez 34’, Firmino 53’
Substitutes
Arsenal – Tierney for Ødegaard 82’, Nketiah for Jesus 90+1’, Vieira for Saka 90+4
