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Football News: Arsenal vs Liverpool - Match review: A Liverpool perspective

Arsenal vs Liverpool - Match review: A Liverpool perspective
Image from: zimbio.com

Well this game was much like what we have come to expect from this Liverpool side, brilliant in attack (while missing a couple of great chances) and weak defensively when put under pressure. For 80 out of the 94 minutes, Liverpool were in total control. We pressed them really well, forced a lot of mistakes and misplaced passes from their midfield and kept their form player Ozil out of the game except for that brief spell of 14-15 minutes where we let him run the show which resulted in us eventually drawing the game.

The first 20 minutes of the match were a bit scruffy with neither side getting a strong foothold of the game resulting in a lot of misplaced passes. After that Liverpool started to dominate the proceedings with the Fab Four running rings around the Arsenal defence and opened the scoring through a really good intelligent header from Coutinho.

 


After deservedly going into the lead at half time, Liverpool again scored through Salah which would have calmed a lot of Liverpool fans but who knew it was the calm before the storm that was about to hit Liverpool and it's fans. After the storm passed which led to Liverpool conceding 3 goals, they restored normalcy and equalised after which the game just slowed down from its frantic pace to a leisurely pace by the end.

In hindsight it is not a bad point at the home of a top 6 rival who have really good home record but considering Liverpool were 2-0 up at one stage, a draw certainly feels like a loss to a lot of the fans.

 

Klopp - Got his tactics spot on by putting Arsenal's defence and midfield under pressure which helped us in getting ahead. Switched to 4-4-2 after going down 3-2 which helped in putting more pressure on Arsenal. Could have made the subs a bit earlier with Ox getting only 8 minutes after a MotM performance in midweek.

Mignolet - Absolutely horrible performance from him. At fault for the 2nd goal where I don't know how he was expecting to save a well struck shot with one hand. For the 3rd goal, it's absolutely ridiculous how he lets Ozil chip him when he is supposed to make himself big at the near post, not go there and lie down. Klopp has to take him out after this performance. Surely he can't keep neglecting Mignolet's obvious flaws and how much he makes the defence nervous.

Gomez - Apart from a lapse in concentration for the goal, he was outstanding. Kept Sanchez quiet for most of the game and was calm in possession. His forward runs are also improving. So in all a good performance.
Lovren- I thought he was absolutely outstanding in the first half. Suffered in the second half because of the midfield and losing possession in crucial areas but still dealt better than his other defensive colleagues.

Klavan - Overall played good and made a very crucial interception at 3-2 from a cross when Lacazette was about to pull the trigger.
Robertson- Not a good game. Defensively he was okay where sometimes he was left isolated 2 vs 1 with Mane not helping out but attacking wise he was really disappointing. He had so many opportunities to put in a good cross but most of them ended in the keeper's hands.

Can - First half he played well by pressing the Arsenal midfield and forcing mistakes out of them but failed to provide sufficient cover to the defence in Second half with Ozil getting a lot of freedom in the space between defence and midfield.

Henderson - Was subbed early due to a hamstring injury. Hopefully won't be out for too long.

Coutinho - Took his goal really well and overall performed well enough but still feel he is not helping defensively as compared to others.

Salah - Not his best game but he looked lively as usual and put Maitland Niles under a lot of pressure. Missed a really good chance in first half but scored a goal in second half continuing his devastating form to make it 21 for the season.

Mane - I was really disappointed with his performance. It looked like he was playing to prove a point but it translated to him making really bad decisions in the final third of the pitch by thinking about personal glory and not the team as testified by trying a bicycle kick when he could have easily taken a touch and slotted the ball in the back of the net. His poor touch and passing made us lose possession in really good counter attacking situations. Really needs to find his form because we will need him in the Christmas period

Firmino - Best player on the pitch by a mile. He was absolutely phenomenal. He worked hard, pressed the opposition and scored a goal. The perfect performance from a centre forward. Arsenal's backline couldn't get near him.
Substitutes

Milner - Played okay. Ran around a lot as usual. Could have given more protection to Robertson when Bellerin was getting forward and putting crosses into the box.

Wijnaldum - Came on when the tempo of the game had slowed down. Did not make a big impact. Led one counter attack in the dying moments which led to a Salah shot.

Oxlade-chamberlain - Hardly any time to make any sort of impact. Worked hard and got booed a lot.

Written by Tris Burke December 24 2017 11:45:51