Premier League giants Liverpool renewed their rivalry with Arsenal in entrance of a packed Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon (October 9). Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal dominated proceedings of their yard, securing a 3-2 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s lackluster Liverpool.
Gabriel Martinelli scored as soon as and Bukayo Saka bagged a brace for the Gunners, whereas Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino discovered the again of the web for the guests. Following Sunday’s end result, Arteta’s facet saved their place on the summit, with them choosing up 24 factors from 9 video games. Klopp’s males slipped all the way down to tenth place after securing solely 10 factors from eight video games.
Playing at house, the north Londoners loved the proper begin to the match. Inside the opening minute, the hosts gained possession in midfield and the ball ended up at Martin Odegaard’s ft, who took his time to help Martinelli for his opener. Just previous the midway mark of the primary half, Nunez lodged his first shot heading in the right direction, however Aaron Ramsdale refused to be overwhelmed at his close to put up.
Nunez had one other shot within the thirty fourth minute, solely this time it ended up behind the web. Luis Diaz’s cross from the appropriate was excellent and Nunez’s sliding end ensured Ramsdale had no likelihood of protecting that one out. The guests’ pleasure was short-lived, nonetheless, as the house staff shortly bounced again with a reply. Five minutes into first-time added time, Saka put the Gunners forward, tapping house Martinelli’s low cross on the far put up.
Eight minutes into the second half, Liverpool equalized via substitute Firmino. The Brazilian latched on to Diogo Jota’s move and slotted the ball into the far backside nook. In the 74th minute, Thiago Alcantara fouled Gabriel Jesus inside his field, compelling the referee to level to the spot. Saka stepped as much as take it and thumped it house previous a hapless Alisson to present the house staff the lead.
The Merseysiders tried to crawl again into the sport however lacked the top product within the closing third, extending their winless run within the Premier League to 3 video games. Here are three of Reds’ stars who upset and a pair who impressed in north London on Sunday:
Underperformed: Jordan Henderson
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson endured a tough time on the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. The Englishman struggled to maintain tempo with the Gunners’ midfielders and was caught out of place greater than as soon as.
Henderson didn’t mark Odegaard in midfield within the first minute, permitting the Norwegian to play Martinelli via on purpose. The England worldwide was fortunate that his lack of positional consciousness was not exploited extra repeatedly. Against Arsenal, Henderson additionally misplaced possession 15 instances, misplaced three duels, and dedicated a foul.
Performed: Darwin Nunez
The Reds’ marquee signing Darwin Nunez impressed onlookers together with his decided show on the Emirates. He chased down each ball, tried to maintain opposing defenders on their toes together with his motion, and scored a neat purpose within the thirty fourth minute.
Nunez was in the appropriate place on the proper time to slip house Diaz’s low cross from out huge, giving the Arsenal keeper no likelihood. In addition to the purpose, Nunez gained a few aerial duels and made a clearance.
Underperformed: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold has confronted heavy criticism for his lack of defensive consciousness. On Sunday, his shortcomings as soon as once more got here to the fore, particularly through the build-up of Arsenal’s second purpose.
Instead of staying within the center, Alexander-Arnold drifted to the appropriate to dam Martinelli. The Brazilian brushed him apart and zipped in a low ball into the Liverpool field, permitting Saka to complete on the far put up.
Before being changed because of a knock at half-time, Alexander-Arnold misplaced 4 lengthy balls, ceded possession 11 instances, and misplaced two of three duels.
Performed: Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota was arguably Liverpool’s finest participant on Sunday afternoon. He was affected person, he was persistent, and all the time seemed for methods to catch the opposition off-guard. His glorious via ball within the 53rd minute was a factor of magnificence, resulting in Firmino’s well-taken purpose.
The Portuguese ahead was additionally sturdy in duels, fulfilled his defensive tasks, and carried the ball properly into the opposition third. Against Arteta’s males, Jota gained seven of 11 floor duels, made a key move, drew two fouls, tried three tackles, and accomplished two of three dribbles.
Underperformed: Mohamed Salah
Last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner (23 targets) Mohamed Salah has been properly beneath his finest this season. Against Arsenal, he as soon as once more lower a irritating determine, spending virtually everything of the match on the periphery.
Except for an encouraging Thirty first-minute dribble, throughout which he disregarded a few defenders earlier than trying a lame shot from the sting of the field, Salah did treasured little. He had no pictures heading in the right direction, misplaced 4 of six duels, ceded possession 5 instances, and made solely 17 correct passes earlier than being subbed off within the 69th minute.
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