Liverpool dominant in 3-1 schooling of Arsenal at Anfield

Liverpool dominated Arsenal on Monday night.

Liverpool keep the winning streak at Anfield alive with a 3-1 victory over Mikel Arteta’s Gunners Monday evening.

Despite the win, Jurgen Klopp’s Redmen would go a goal down to Arsenal in the 25th minute but the Gunners lead would only last for three minutes.

Klopp’s strong side thoroughly dominated possession, tempo and the midfield in the first half of play. The one blemish was a missed clearance by Andrew Robertson which led to Alexander Lacazette beating Allison for the only shot on goal in the first 45.

Liverpool played a patient possession game and kept a steady tempo in the buildup, with controlled concise precision passing which saw them produce 11 first half shots with at least four on goal.

Sadio Mane found the net off a rocket of a shot by Mo Salah in the 28th minute that resulted in one of these moves and came from a quick reaction save by Bernd Leno that left the ball at Mane’s joy and an open net.

Robertson scored Liverpool’s second goal in the 34th minute after a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross found its way to the Scot, who had snuck up in the penalty area and toe-poked beyond Leno.

This would comprised the balance of the scoring until the 88th minute when Diogo Jota, subbed on for Mane late on in the final 20 minutes, scored a cracker of a strike beating Leno at the near post from 18 yards out.

The goal was coming, you could just sense it as the Reds played that final 20 minutes looking to hit that third. Jota had at least three good quality chances previously before finally finding the net in his first blood drawn as a Red.

Both sides played well in both halves, but Liverpool were just too dominant overall and when necessary were able to find another gear playing around the pitch a game of keepaway from the Arsenal players with ease, skill, and aplomb. At least in that first half.

The second period saw Arsenal with more of the ball and several balls through or behind the backline defenders, leaving Lacazette open and threatening. Only superb positional play by Allison and great saves on at least two occasions kept the Gunners from knotting the tie.

Klopp will be right pleased with the way his team played with purpose, poise, and complete confidence. Never nervous or out of control; of the ball, the mix in the midfield, or the momentum. Even going a goal down.

The Reds maintained composure and proceeded to play utterly dominant football for large stretches. They executed the gaffers gameplan to a tee and were spot on in their on again off again high pressure on the ball. This confused Arsenal attempting to play out of the back; often forcing them into attempting long balls into the midfield or final third which were summarily dispatched with ease by a very focused and poised defense.

Joe Gomez, returning to the line-up after a knock which saw him miss the match at Stamford Bridge; was very good today paired with Virgil Van Dijk.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was virtually absent for the most part and because Liverpool disrupted the Gunners passing lanes making it difficult on the whole, and in the first half in particular; the Gunners couldn’t link more than three or four passes together.

Fabinho was particularly shining; but strong positional and defensive shifts by Naby Keita and Gini Wijnaldum saw the Reds boss the midfield without the services of skipper, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara.

To have manhandled Arsenal in such a fashion in the middle of the park without Henderson and Thiago will be pleasing to Klopp as well no doubt. Mane and Salah were both present, hungry, and threatening throughout. Firmino played his as usual under the radar masterful positioning and passing game making his mates Mane and Salah even more potent.