By Ahmed AlAsfoor
A Clash Beyond Just Three Points
When Liverpool and Arsenal meet, it’s never just another fixture, it can be a title decider. The previous term ended with a draw in both ends, four goals in each fixture made sure this type of game can be feisty. Whether it’s at Anfield or the Emirates, the action and drama are guaranteed. Both came into the game with full marks on the table, relentless, rhythmic, and brilliant.
Lineups and Early Drama
The visitors missed key stars from the starting eleven, the likes of Bukayo Saka and skipper Martin Ødegaard due to injuries, the latter only making the bench. The home side kept the same lineup, with only one change — the return of Alexis Mac Allister replacing Curtis Jones. Anfield lights were ready for such a clash.
Prior to the game, a reporter asked Arne Slot what to expect from the visitors today. He smartly answered by indicating that the Gunners would approach the game with more direct balls, as they had one more big man than usual, reflecting on their lineup. Every pass was a beat, every tackle a drum, and when the whistle blew, the stage was set for who would drop the hardest line.
Arsenal needed only five minutes to lose another important member of the squad — William Saliba — due to injury as he collided with Hugo Ekitike in the early minutes. He was replaced by the new incoming defender from Valencia. Surprisingly, the visitors didn’t feel the difference as they kept solid even after Saliba was forced to come off.
Arsenal on the Front Foot
The visitors needed seventeen minutes to record their first corner as Liverpool kept defending in numbers. After twenty-three minutes, Arsenal led the number of touches in the opposition box by 7–0, most of these caused by set pieces. Due to that, we saw the first yellow card in the game handed to Ryan Gravenberch after trying to stop Riccardo Calafiori from going inside.
As we know, the Gunners are known for being very good at corners and set pieces, but it was notable these tricks were not working at Anfield that day. Declan Rice’s corners were affected by the knowledge of Alisson. The likes of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konaté organizing the plan saw the Arsenal men try the first two and fail. It was noticeable that the visitors could not process their corners as usual.
Lack of Courage in Midfield
Both teams were guilty of not being brave enough, especially in midfield. Arsenal were playing it safe while keeping possession, as their build-up was really slow and not taking many risks. When they did, Virgil van Dijk took advantage of a risky pass and gave the home side the first real threat. Following that scare, the visitors played long most of the time, but it didn’t work either.
Open play was very difficult for the Arsenal side. Viktor Gyökeres was not found, except for one moment when he made a great run into the box, defended really well by Virgil van Dijk. He cut back and popped it to Jurrien Timber, whose shot was blocked again by the skipper.
Cautious Reds
On the other hand, the Reds kept being cautious and pragmatic during the first half, keeping their shape and defending in numbers while dealing with set pieces too deep, preventing the visitors from causing any real threat. Attacking-wise, the home side were not at their best as we saw the record-breaking signing not causing much threat to the Arsenal defense. Probably because he was too far back and should’ve been higher up the pitch, as the central midfield players were tracking him. The visitors had him in their eyeline while he should’ve been on their shoulders to create problems.
The man on fire for the Reds in the previous weeks was new signing Hugo Ekitike, who tried really hard to work his magic against Arsenal’s solid defense. He was harassed and bullied whenever he tried to keep the ball, leaving him frustrated and clueless. A proper battle.
Half-Time Deadlock
So at the break at Anfield it remained Liverpool 0, Arsenal 0. Surely half-time talk would give the opportunity for points to be made and plan the next forty-five minutes better.
The managers’ tweaks saw the home side grow stronger in possession as the second half progressed, especially in the last twenty minutes. Man-to-man pressing was key after the introduction of new signing Eberechi Eze and Ødegaard for the visitors, while the home side brought in Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, and Joe Gomez, replacing Konaté who went down and couldn’t finish the game.
A Waiting Game Backfires
The waiting game for the visitors backfired as in the second half they kept waiting for Liverpool, making fouls and falling for fouls, thinking a draw was a good point away from home. You can’t wait in big matches — you must throw your punch as fast as possible before the crowd gets behind Liverpool at Anfield. The noise of the pitch wouldn’t help your game, everyone knows this. Over the years we’ve witnessed it — you have to learn from the past, otherwise, you’re not progressing and not getting that one percent better.
Szoboszlai’s Moment of Magic
Chiesa’s pace gave Arsenal’s midfield stress to deal with. Curtis Jones, using that little pocket of space by twisting and turning, won a free kick for the home side. To separate these two sides, Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to take the free kick from thirty yards. He had been outstanding throughout the whole game, a performance worthy of man of the match.
But that was not enough for the Hungarian, as he landed the only mighty blow of the fight with a really special free kick execution. Commentators called it Cristiano Ronaldo-like. The shot had everything — whip, dip, and power — making sure David Raya couldn’t get a hand on it. The goalkeeper couldn’t believe it, and you could tell by the expression on his face.
Defensive Heroes
A performance worth mentioning was that of substitute Joe Gomez, who came on in the 79th minute. He won more aerial duels (3/3) and made more clearances (7) than any other Liverpool player. He was linked with a move away to AC Milan before the game, but his performance definitely gave Arne Slot a healthy problem to think about.
Arsenal’s Anfield Curse Continues
The last time Arsenal won at Anfield was when Mikel Arteta was playing in Arsène Wenger’s side back in 2012, when Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla scored the winners against Brendan Rodgers’ side. Since then, they have failed to win in 15 visits here — twelve in the Premier League, three in the League Cup.
This game ended 1–0 to the home side, the winner scored by the “Don” Dominik Szoboszlai with a perfect free kick, playing from right-back. A free kick sent to the history books for sure and will not be forgotten.
Post-Match Reactions
Following the conclusion of the game, Arne Slot remarked that a moment of magic was needed to split the two sides. He admitted the game was difficult and his side defended really well as the visitors pushed in the first half, while they became marginally better in the second.
The match-winner claimed he always practices these free kicks on the training ground every day, but hadn’t tried this shot for the past two weeks. He also referred to his former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, saying doing drills with him helped improve his set-piece skills. Dominik’s first reaction was: “Finally!” as he had been waiting for his chance, since Trent was above him in the pecking order previously. A classy shoutout that explains the harmony between Liverpool players whether they are here now or not.
Virgil van Dijk expressed his satisfaction about the second-half performance, as they succeeded in preventing the visitors’ press and tactics. The skipper also admitted he panicked after intercepting Raya’s pass in the first half and should’ve tried to shoot instead of passing.
iAsfoor 