ARSENAL have doubled their lead against Liverpool at Anfield as Gabriel Jesus heads passed Alisson.
Fellow Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli put Mikel Arteta’s side ahead with just EIGHT minutes on the clock in Merseyside.
The Gunners are in a fantastic position to re-instate their eight-point gap on City, who demolished relegation-battling Southampton yesterday.
- Kick-off time: 4:30pm BST
- Live stream: NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League
- Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Salah, Jota, Gakpo
- Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Ødegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
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Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal
35. For Liverpool to turn this game around now, this would be the greatest comeback since Rob Holding’s hair.
It looks less likely as well.
Arsenal are continuing to press, they can smell blood now.
Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal
33. Arsenal are growing in confidence now.
They are winning every single battle all over the park.
Henderson wins the ball back and gives the ball to Salah but he pokes the ball wide as Ramsdale advances towards him.
Credit: Reuters Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal
31. Alisson plays the ball long, straight to the feet of Salah.
He loses the ball and Arsenal look to turn defence into attack.
With Alexander-Arnold nowhere to be seen, van Dijk has to come across and commits a blatant foul.
Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal
29. Liverpool’s defending is shambolic.
Alexander-Arnold goes to sleep once again and allows Martinelli to break clear down the left.
He looks to pick out Jesus who is marked by van Dijk and Robertson and the Brazilian heads home under no challenge whatsoever.
Goal – Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
27. There just seems to be a lack of creative ideas amongst these Liverpool players.
Playing simple passes with no urgency to try and break the Arsenal lines.
It is looking all too scrappy from Jurgen Klopp’s side in all areas of the pitch.
Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
25. Odegaard makes a run out to the right flank.
He looks to take it passed Curtis Jones but wins a throw in.
As Liverpool win the ball back and look to come forward, Arsenal get numbers behind the ball.
Credit: Getty Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
23. It must be worrying for Liverpool fans to see how easy sides are now able to walk through the heart of their midfield and defence.
Some have said this side needs an overhaul but it is hard to see what players deserve to stay there currently.
Jurgen Klopp’s side seem like they need bigger investment than the HS2 rail project.
Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
21. Liverpool have their first real chance of the game.
Robertson gets clear of White and has a clear sight of goal.
He looks to hit it with power and ball fizzes passed the far post.
Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
19. Jurgen Klopp was known for his ‘heavy-metal’ football which involved a high press.
This is more ‘soft chill’ from his side now.
The passion seems lacking from this group of players.
Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
17. The Gunners have found the best way to silence the crowd here.
Martinelli’s goal has stunned them into silence.
Liverpool are looking a shadow of their former selves in these opening stages of the game.
Saka clips a ball into the back post, over the head of Alisson but Jesus cannot steer the ball towards goal.
Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
15. Liverpool are looking lethargic in defence.
Arsenal look quicker and the more hungry of the two sides.
This could be a long afternoon for the Liverpool faithful unless their side wake up and smell the coffee.
Credit: Reuters Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
13. Arsenal come forward once again down the left.
The ball is worked inside to Zinchenko who gets off a shot.
Easy save for Alisson as he tips it wide for a corner.
Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
11. What a start for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Gone are the days where Liverpool were a solid defensive unit.
They gift more chances than a Monopoly board of late.
Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
9. Saka cuts inside from Robertson to receive the ball.
He feeds it to Odegaard who finds Martinelli.
Liverpool’s soft underbelly is exposed as no one gets a telling challenge in and Martinelli pokes it passed Alisson.
Goal – Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
7. Liverpool try to turn the screw once again.
The ball drops to Jones in the middle of the park but he dwells on it too much and is tackled.
Jota tries a shot but it is not troubling Ramsdale.
Credit: Reuters Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
5. Both sides are passing it around, trying to get a feel for the ball.
Arsenal seem keen to get the ball to Martinelli so he can get himself one on one with Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool seem happy to absorb it and hit the visitors on the counter-attack with slick passing and pace.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
3. Liverpool manage to clear the ball and hit Arsenal on the counter.
They stream forward and the visitors look stretched.
Salah cannot take the ball passed the defence as he is crowded out.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
1. Konate is penalised for a foul on Xhaka after a heavy first touch.
Chance for the visitors to get the ball into the box.
Martinelli skips passed Alexander-Arnold and wins a corner.
Kick-off: Liverpool vs Arsenal
We are underway at Anfield.
As ever, it is an electric atmosphere.
Arsenal get the game started.
Gunners need to show title credentials
In previous seasons, teams who have gone on to win the Premier League have struggled to get results here.
Arsenal will be hoping to show they are the real deal today and answer some of their critics.
Victory over Jurgen Klopp’s side would make a massive statement for the North London outfit.
Pressure on German to succeed
This season has been the biggest test of Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff during their time at Anfield.
With their chances of finishing in the top four slipping away game by game, they need to go on a run between now and the end of the season.
Failure to secure Champions League football could have huge knock-on effects to the club, especially in the summer transfer window.
Credit: Reuters Klopp looking for Anfield X-Factor
Victory today would make it seven successive home wins in the league for The Reds, making them the first side to do so since 1928 in the top flight.
Liverpool haven’t conceded at home in 7 hours and 26 minutes of football, since Leicester scored here in December.
Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to continue their recent home form against in-form Arsenal today.
Gunners need Jesus to rise to occasion
Arsenal need Gabriel Jesus to continue the scoring form he showed in their last game against Leeds Utd.
Mikel Arteta will know that their best form of defence is attack against this Liverpool team who have given the opposition for too many clean-cut chances this season.
Taking their chances will be key if The Gunners want to put Liverpool to the sword this afternoon.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
