Liverpool travelled to the Emirates Stadium this evening to face Arsenal in the first of the weekend’s Premier League fixtures. After an exhilarating six goal game, the Reds managed to claim just one of the three points.
The game got underway as Liverpool kicked off against the Gunners in their famous tangerine away kit. From the first whistle the visitors played a strong and charismatic game. Liverpool’s pressure on Arsenal’s shaky looking defense eventually broke the mould as Philippe Coutinho opened up the score line.
The Brazilian converted Mohamed Salah’s ball in after a delightful lofted header straight over the top of Petr Čech. The 6 ft 5 goalkeeper – renowned for his height and build – just couldn’t stop the elegance of the Coutinho header. This marks the Number 10’s first ever Premier League headed goal.
#LFC go 1-0 up as #Coutinho lofts a delightful little header over a squirming Petr Cech #ARSLIV #YNWA pic.twitter.com/wE47eVWmS6
— Sam Quek (@SamanthaQuek) December 22, 2017
Liverpool’s fluid passing and quick tempo gave Arsenal a headache from the get go. The home side looked extremely flustered trying to prevent the Fab Four from weaving between their defence. Two golden chances came within seconds of each other, both for Salah. The Egyptian couldn’t find the net though in an uncharacteristically wasteful style.
All players have bad days, but Kopites just assumed Salah was Liverpool’s Egyptian god who could never make a mistake.
Down to the wire
Following into the second half with a 1-0 lead, Liverpool looked the superior team on all accounts. After just six minutes, Salah redeemed his first half errors by making a fantastic run on the end of Roberto Firmino’s pass. Taking on the Arsenal defence, the Premier League’s top scorer smashed his side’s second goal home. Another on the tally for the new Number 11.
But from Liverpool’s 2-0 cushion, a five-minute defensive nightmare saw the two goal lead vanish. Arsenal came rushing back into the game from the back foot following a trio of goals within five minutes.
Alexis Sanchez was the first to pull one back followed by a sensational strike from Granit Xhaka. Sanchez managed to nutmeg Simon Mignolet from distance and finally showcase some of Arsenal’s capability.
The Xhaka goal was superbly taken but for a goalkeeper playing for a top Premier League side, Mignolet simply must be pulling off these saves. In a league of Hugo Lloris, David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois, Migs just can’t compete.
Mesut Özil scored the fifth goal of the evening after playing in Alexandre Lacazette’s ball. In the space of six minutes, Liverpool had gone from a 2-0 lead to trailing 3-2. Klopp’s defensive issues are still very much alive and must be dealt with.
Not sure what more Simon Mignolet has to do before people realise he’s not good enough to be our No.1. Had an absolute howler today.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) December 22, 2017
A last-minute lifeline
Arsenal’s goals left Liverpool looking limp and lifeless. And yet Jurgen Klopp still hesitated to make his first substitution. All credit to the Reds, they didn’t give up attacking after conceding three goals. The final game of the night was the one to scrape Liverpool a point in a gritty, end to end match.
Firmino’s header following an Emre Can assist almost didn’t make it under the crossbar. But in the most magical form, the ball floated over Čech and put the Reds back in the running. The 70th minute goal was enough to keep Liverpool in 4th place in the Premier League table.
Despite the point earned, Liverpool fans are furious over their teams ‘bottle job’ of a performance. The Reds are sublime as ever going forward but are majorly lacking consistent defensive influence and a strong team spine. The manager needs to invest in some new defenders come January otherwise Liverpool can kiss goodbye to any FA Cup or Champions League glory.
https://twitter.com/Lovell_Will/status/944312806480011265
January bound
Liverpool have two games to play out before the January transfer window commences. Two home games should play to the Reds’ favour as they prepare to host bottom of the league Swansea (26/12) and Leicester (30/12).
Next: Player ratings: Arsenal v Liverpool
Klopp has 31 days to do some serious business for his club before fans and pundits start to question his motive. After a failed Virgil van Dijk move in the summer, the pressure is on for the gaffer to bring in the Dutchman or fry some even bigger fish. Whatever he does, Liverpool cannot continue with their defensive as it is.
A stellar attack deserves a solid defence, and despite their recent impressive run, Liverpool have one of the leakiest defences in the league. And something simply has to change.