Liverpool 0–1 Arsenal: What we learned and Andoni Iraola reaction

Liverpool suffered through several near misses as the Reds fell to defending EPL champions Arsenal 1-0 on November 1st. It was the Gunners’ first win at Anfield since 2012, and the first time in club history the Reds were held without a shot on goal in club history. Those stats do not paint the picture of how tight the game was or how much Liverpool dominated the run of play at times during the match.

Andoni Iraola put the loss down to the Reds’ slow start during the first 15 minutes of the match, where a bad outlet pass from Alisson led to a Kai Havertz goal. He is pleased with the squad’s response, however.

“Overall, I think we have to blame especially the start of the game and until we conceded the goal,” he said. “I think the start hasn’t been at the level of the game. But from that 1-0, I think it’s [after] 15 or 16 minutes, I’ve loved the reaction of the team. Even in the first half, I think we reacted really well and put Arsenal under big pressure.

I think we’ve done enough to score, but obviously we haven’t. But we had the crossbar [hit by Florian Wirtz], we had the header of [Alexis] Mac Allister that, for me, is a very clear chance. I think we had a clear penalty also for us, and I think we’ve had a lot of situations inside the box – not even around the box, inside the box – that definitely we haven’t finished properly.”

1. Standout performer and selection impact

This is a hard one because no player was really that bad, but also nobody was able to come through with that moment of magic to provide an equalizer that Liverpool probably deserved. If Bradley Barcola had been as consistent in the second half as he was in the first, he would have been the choice, but you could tell Barcola had heavy legs toward the end of the match. 

Since Liverpool played 34 crosses into an attacking area, my standout performers are the Reds’ attacking midfielders of Barcola, Cody Gakpo, and Florian Wirtz. That trio kept the Gunners under pressure all match. It took a heck of a defensive effort from the visitors and an undetected shirt pull on Alexander Isak to escape with three points.

2. Tactical turning point

As I said in the player ratings, I don’t think Iraola missed on any of his selections and subs; he had the best team out there. The one thing I disagree with is having Alisson play out of the back all the time. Especially if Arsenal or anyone else is showing high pressure. Just thump it downfield. Alisson has three career assists doing just that, all coming to Mohamed Salah. I know Salah is no longer with the club, but why not give someone else a chance to run onto the ball?

3. What Andoni Iraola said and what comes next

Even though Liverpool lost, Iraola spoke about the fine margins that exist in the EPL and that Liverpool were oh so close to victory.

“Small things in these kind of games that are so, so close, and every detail matters. They haven’t gone for us this season, but we will see. The season is long, and probably the next day it goes for us,” Iraola said. “I think we’ve done today more than enough to score. Probably what we need to correct is the beginning of the game until we conceded. It’s true we conceded when we mess up a goal-kick, but the feeling I had before was that their goal was closer than ours, and from that moment I think the game has changed to our favour. It is true that probably they didn’t need to take risks and they go deeper, but I honestly felt our goal was coming because I think we’ve created enough pressure.”

Liverpool will look to bounce back when they travel to Fenerbahce on November 4th for a Champions League tie.

LFC Globe Verdict

Liverpool played well, but a few mistakes proved that they are just outside of competing for an EPL title this year. It is a long season, but the Reds have lost to the top two teams already in Man City and Arsenal. They are improving, with young players such as Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha impressing each time they step on the pitch.

Have your say

Do you think Liverpool are still in the Title Chase? Why or why not? Drop a comment below.