Arsenal 0-3 Liverpool: 5 hits and flops as Reds get back into their groove with big win | Premier League 2020-21

Liverpool registered their biggest ever away win at the Emirates against Arsenal.
Liverpool registered their biggest ever away win at the Emirates against Arsenal.

Liverpool returned from the international break in the most resounding fashion, as they mauled Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.

Two goals from Diogo Jota either side of a strike from Mohamed Salah in the second half secured a huge win for Jurgen Klopp's embattled defending champions.

The victory revived Liverpool's flagging Champions League hopes as the Reds are now just two points behind Chelsea, who were thumped by West Brom earlier in the day.

The Gunners, following another flat performance on the night, have their European ambitions all but squished now, as they languish in ninth place, seven points behind West Ham despite playing a game more.

On that note, here are the hits and flops from the match:


Hit: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

It's now 18 goals in all competitions for Jota with club and country.
It's now 18 goals in all competitions for Jota with club and country.

Diogo Jota knows no stopping!

On his return to Liverpool from a highly productive international break, which yielded three goals from as many games, Jota merely continued from where he left off with Portugal.

With the defending champions once again struggling to pull things together upfront, Jota came off the bench in the second half and struck twice.

He broke the deadlock with a close-range header off Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross and then put the contest to bed with a powerful finish beyond Leno for a third after a mix-up in the Arsenal box.

Jota now has eight goals in the league for Liverpool despite missing several months because of a knee injury. On this form, Jota could guide Liverpool deep into the Champions League, and perhaps, also them secure a place in the league's top-four too.


Flop: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's poor form continued with another forgetful outing.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's poor form continued with another forgetful outing.

Given just how listless Arsenal were in attack, it's hard to single out a player for their listless performance.

Martin Odegaard couldn't exert his influence in the game, while Alexandre Lacazette was a complete no-show.

However, considering he's been their chief attacking threat, a lot was expected from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was simply disappointing. The striker lacked the spark once again, was devoid of service for most of the time and rarely threatened the Liverpool defence.

Aubameyang did lay two key passes in the game, the most by an Arsenal player on the night, but surely he's ought to do more than that, right?

He was given a new contract six months ago, but unfortunately, he has failed to live up to his billing in an admittedly tough campaign.

Hit: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah come back to haunt Arsenal with a fine performance.
Mohamed Salah come back to haunt Arsenal with a fine performance.

This was far from a vintage performance by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. But at least, he deserves credit for delivering in a big game.

The Egyptian huffed and puffed all night, at times failing to get a shot away, failing to connect with a cross, or getting the ball snatched away from his feet.

But Salah soldiered on and finally got his goal in the 84th minute, cleverly playing the ball through Leno's legs as he tried to block the shot.

Even during Liverpool's worst season in several years, the Egyptian ace has managed to score 26 goals, which is a testament to his quality and a reminder that he's still one of the very best.


Flop: Dani Cabellos (Arsenal)

Cabellos was run over in midfield.
Cabellos was run over in midfield.

Dani Cabellos is an enigma.

One day, he's the best player on the field for Arsenal, holding on his own and dominating the midfield. On another occasion, he turns in a disaster-class, like against Liverpool on Saturday, where he was sloppy in possession and conceded the ball too easily.

Fabinho had the Spaniard's number all game, and Ceballos couldn't do anything to get the better of the Brazilian. Ceballos can consider himself lucky to have lasted 60 minutes of the match.


Hit: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Alexander-Arnold produced a vintage performance.
Alexander-Arnold produced a vintage performance.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped from the England squad last month but seems to have utilised his break well.

The Liverpool right-back looked more like his old self against Arsenal. He ventured forward with great promise. When the Reds seemed unable to break down Arsenal, Trent Alexander-Arnold was on hand to provide an excellent cross for Diogo Jota to head in the opener.

That was Trent Alexander-Arnold's first assist in the league in over two months and just the fourth this season.

His attacking involvement could be further gauged from the fact that Alexander-Arnold laid four key passes in the match, twice more than anyone else, and also attempted one shot.

Could this performance spark the young player's revival?

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