What number of instances have they performed collectively, Alisson and Virgil van Dijk? What number of instances have they rescued Liverpool? What number of opposing assaults have they subdued? What number of possibilities have they thwarted of their reign as among the best defensive partnerships within the Premier League?
The reply on all counts is just too many to say. And but at The Emirates, with their match with Arsenal poised at 1-1 and the title race heating up and Manchester City watching and hoping for Liverpool to slide, the sport turned on a defensive mix-up between the goalkeeper and the skipper.
Arsenal had already let Liverpool again into the sport on the finish of the primary half with a calamity caper of their very own however when Liverpool emulated it halfway by way of the second half, the 2 giants of the membership colliding with one another and presenting Gabriel Martinelli with an open purpose, the league leaders couldn’t discover a manner again into the sport.
Arsenal consolidated their lead with a late purpose from Leandro Trossard, that deflected off Van Dijk and squeezed by way of Alisson’s legs, to seal a 3-1 win for Mikel Arteta’s crew and condemn Liverpool to their first defeat within the league since they misplaced at Spurs on Saturday September thirtieth.
Liverpool, who had been diminished to 10 males when Ibrahima Konate was despatched off for a second yellow card late on, had been the victims of a stunning error by the VAR officers that day however on this defeat towards Arsenal, they had been the authors of their very own downfall.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka opened the scoring within the 14th minute on the Emirates
Saka slotted house the rebound after goalkeeper Alisson had saved Kai Havertz’s shot
They had been second finest for lengthy intervals of the sport towards an Arsenal facet which refused to let its depth or its perception drop. Arsenal had been the higher crew. The end result will breathe new confidence into them because the title race heads in the direction of its run-in.
And so, the title race has been blown extensive open. It’s as open a contest because it has been for a very long time. Arsenal knew they needed to win this recreation to rejoin the battle and so they by no means appeared like dropping.
Liverpool’s lead on the high of the desk is down to 2 factors and Metropolis can shut the hole as properly in the event that they beat Brentford on Monday night. Liverpool have been so good for thus lengthy that they had been due a poor efficiency. This was it.
Liverpool had performed like a dream of their 4-1 victory over Chelsea final week and despite the fact that most sides play like a dream towards Chelsea as of late, the guests went into the match with momentum and kind on their facet.
They had been with out Conor Bradley, their thrilling younger proper again, who was mourning the loss of life of his father. That meant a return to the beginning eleven after harm for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Darwin Nunez, who hit the woodwork 4 instances towards Mauricio Pochettino’s facet, was on the bench.
The sport started quick and furiously. Nobody anticipated the rest. Arsenal closed Liverpool down with specific ferocity. Liverpool’s urgent was not far behind. The primary time both facet acquired an opportunity to breathe, Arsenal ought to have scored.
David Raya launched Martinelli with a throw and Martinelli raced on to it, hotly pursued by Konate. The pursuit went on and on and nonetheless Konate couldn’t catch Martinelli.
When he had virtually acquired to the byline, Martinelli crossed into the guts of the field the place Bukayo Saka had acquired forward of his marker. Saka flung himself on the ball however one way or the other he mistimed his header and glanced it extensive when it appeared simpler to attain.
Liverpool levelled simply earlier than half-time on Sunday by way of a scrappy Gabriel personal purpose
Gabriel turned the ball into his personal web after a mix-up between David Raya and William Saliba
Gabriel Martinelli was gifted the second purpose after a mix-up between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk
A minute later, Saka atoned. Martin Odegaard freed Kai Havertz with a superb first-time move that despatched the Germany ahead in on purpose. Alisson got here out to satisfy him and Havertz fired weakly and straight at him. However when the ball got here again off Alisson’s chest, it rebounded straight to Saka. Saka took a contact after which lashed the ball into the web.
Liverpool didn’t provide a lot going ahead within the first half however when Alexander-Arnold whipped in an excellent ball from the correct touchline, Gabriel conjured a superb interception to forestall the ball reaching Cody Gakpo as he waited to pounce.
Arsenal had been coasting in the direction of the interval when catastrophe struck deep in added time. Ryan Gravenberch lofted a innocent ball into the within proper channel for Luis Diaz to chase however as an alternative of clearing it, William Saliba tried to shepherd it again to Raya.
Raya didn’t come to say it and Diaz compelled his manner round Saliba and hooked the ball in the direction of the penalty spot. It hit Gabriel on the correct arm and bounced slowly and apologetically over the road and into the web. After a lot exhausting work, it was an terrible technique to concede an equaliser.
When the second half started, it felt as if that purpose had modified the whole lot. Liverpool had been rampant now. Diaz attacked at will down the left, Alexis Mac Allister fizzed a shot simply extensive from 25 yards and Curtis Jones curled a shot simply the incorrect facet of Raya’s left-hand submit. It was a distinct Liverpool, a distinct recreation.
Regularly, Arsenal recovered their composure and their confidence. Odegaard stepped inside his marker and fired in a shot that deflected off Konate and spun extensive and Gabriel ought to have executed higher than head extensive when he escaped the attentions of Konate and ran on to a free kick from Odegaard.
Arsenal appealed for a penalty when Mac Allister checked the run of Havertz and each males tumbled to the turf however VAR refused to overturn referee Anthony Taylor’s resolution to wave play on.
Then, halfway by way of the half, Liverpool proved they may take Arsenal’s defensive howler from earlier and lift it. There appeared to be little hazard when Virgil van Dijk ran again with Martinelli as they chased an extended punt from Gabriel.
Van Dijk waited for Alisson to return to clear it however Alisson delayed. When he lastly rushed out of his space and tried to hack the ball away, he succeeded solely in booting Van Dijk within the thigh and lacking the ball altogether.
Van Dijk and Alisson turned in horror to see Martinelli left in superb isolation with the ball at his ft and the purpose unguarded. Martinelli took his time after which rolled the ball calmly into the empty web.
Ibrahima Konate was despatched off after being proven a second yellow card for a foul on Havertz
Leandro Trossard’s deflected strike sealed a vital victory for Mikel Arteta’s facet
Arteta couldn’t conceal his delight as Arsenal got here out on high in showdown with title rivals
Arsenal wasted a golden alternative to place the sport out of attain seven minutes from time when Odegaard chipped into the realm and located substitute Jakub Kiwior unmarked eight yards out. Kiwior twisted his physique to attempt to get as a lot energy into his header as potential however he might solely direct it straight at Alisson.
Konate was despatched off three minutes from the top for a second bookable offence when he body-checked Havertz as Havertz led an Arsenal counter-attack and because the recreation entered added time, Arsenal scored the third purpose they so desperately craved.
Trossard made it and Trossard scored it. He ran again in the direction of the half-way line to retrieve a unfastened ball after which tricked his well beyond Harvey Elliott and set off for purpose. Van Dijk got here throughout to shut him down however Trossard’s shot deflected off the Liverpool skipper’s foot and squirmed by way of the legs of Alisson.
On the touchline, Arteta went wild, working up and down by the Arsenal bench, high-fiving Arsenal supporters and giving due to the heavens. His crew had closed the hole. The title race is nearer than ever.
