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It was a much anticipated clash between Arsenal at the apex of the Premier League and Liverpool in fourth. Victory for the Gunners would have pinned down Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League. Liverpool came into this game, looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns. Arsenal were least expected to be at the receiving end following a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace. On the other hand, Liverpool hadn’t won at Anfield against Arsenal since 2007. So, this match was already in favour of the Gunners. However, Liverpool had other ideas.
It is a rudimentary fact that movies need to have a good start, to keep the audience engrossed. Liverpool seemingly had similar views as they started with a bang. The phase of the first twenty minutes of the match was perhaps, one of the best in the history of the Premier League. With Martin Skrtel ‘kneeing’ a goal past a confused Wojciech Szcz?sny within 52 seconds, he scored an excellent header from yet another Steven Gerrard delivery to double his tally. This double scored in 9 minutes and 28 seconds is one of the fastest by any defender in the Premier League.
Jordan Henderson won the ball in the midfield, following a slip-up by Mesut Özil at the halfway line, and passed it to Luis Suárez. He immediately placed the ball to Sterling with immaculate accuracy, who handed Liverpool a 3-0 lead inside 15 minutes. While, Daniel Sturridge continued to shine under Brendan Rodgers, as he converted a perfect through ball by Coutinho to score past a rushing Szcz?sny. The scoreline was 4-0, and only 20 minutes had passed by. But these twenty minutes looked like twenty days for Arsenal.
Sterling was the quickest to react to a long ball by former Arsenal invincible Kolo Touré, to put the game beyond Arsenal, scoring after his initial shot was saved by Szcz?sny. The only negative point of the game for Liverpool was when Gerrard fouled Oxlade-Chamberlain to gift Arsenal a penalty. Mikel Arteta, who had been out of sorts during the entire game, converted it past Simon Mignolet.
This completed the annihilation of the opponents in the first twenty minutes. From what was assumed to be a tight game, it took just twenty minutes to make it a joke. Arsenal were dazed and confused. Nothing was happening how Wenger wanted it to be. He, himself, was clueless about what was happening on the field. The Arsenal midfield was a menace; every pass was falling apart. Liverpool seemed to have won every ball when the midfield tried to penetrate the defence. And the attacking contingent wasn’t helping either.
Let’s talk about an interesting fact: At Anfield this season, Arsenal conceded approximately one-fourth of the total goals they had conceded in the Premier League. Their ‘Goals Conceded’ tally went to 26 from 21. The pairing of Mertesacker-Koscielny has been rock-solid this season. But yet for such a team to concede 5 goals at Anfield is a point to be considered. But was it really the defenders’ fault for not keeping the torrid Liverpool attack at bay?
Disappointed Arsenal players in their game against Liverpool at Anfield
Suárez won a free kick for Liverpool, following a foul on him by Mertesacker. It is not necessary to blame him for the goal; the reason is, it was Steven Gerrard at the ball to deliver it into the box. The second goal came from a corner when Gerrard curled the ball fantastically to Skrtel, who hit it towards the goal. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had been deputed on the far-end of the post. He had ample amount of time to clear the header, but was unable to while Szcz?sny couldn’t reach it.
The third goal was an absolute mess created by Özil. Özil’s transfer to Arsenal was one of the most talked-about points of the Premier League this season. But the weight of expectations soon took a burden on Özil, and it was evident in the match. Jordan Henderson’s hunger to win the ball bore fruit, as Özil slipped under pressure from him. Henderson immediately took the ball forward, and it led to a goal.
The fourth goal was something Arsenal could do nothing about. Much has been talked about the Brazilian brain Philippe Coutinho’s burst to fame, since his transfer in January 2013 from Inter Milan. This season looked gloomy for him, with sub-par performances, and too much desperation to score a goal. However, his talent was never a doubt. All eyes popped out when he placed a perfect through ball between two Arsenal defenders to Daniel Sturridge, whose quality ensured he had nothing much to do further.
The fifth goal was perhaps one of the few defensive mistakes that Arsenal committed in the game. Sterling should not have been allowed to run so easily, given his pace. Touré’s long ball saw Sturridge involved in the offside trap, but the defence switched off and allowed Sterling to score a goal.
But overall, the midfield was causing problems. Mikel Arteta, Mesut Özil, Jack Wilshere and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, along with Olivier Giroud, were continuously faltering. There was no way Arsenal could make a scintillating comeback in this game, as there was no flair in their passing game in the match. Coupled with needless fouls and careless passing, it compelled Wenger to make a triple change midway through the second half- changes which should have been made right after their demolition in the first twenty minutes.
Arsene Wenger
The changes looked to have stabilized the game for Arsenal, which prevented further dismantling of the team. The tactical change was necessary, but the explosive display by Liverpool in the entire game, ripped them apart. Moreover, with such a difficult phase coming up for Arsenal, it is clear that they need to go back to the blackboard and analyse what went wrong. That is the only possible way to change their course back to winning trophies this season.
On the other hand, Liverpool have won 11 of 13 games at Anfield in the Premier League this season. What is impeccable is that Liverpool have now scored 63 goals in 25 Premier League games this season- five behind Manchester City, but well ahead of Arsenal in third with 48 goals. This signifies the improvement Liverpool has shown over last season. They are a massive 14 points ahead of what they achieved last season at this stage.
Liverpool can draw positives from the game with the performances of Henderson, Flanagan, Sterling, Suárez and Sturridge at the peak of their potential.
However, apart from the demolition of Tottenham at White Hart Lane, Liverpool have been less consistent in scoring goals away from home. Rodgers has kept mum about Liverpool’s title ambitions, but fourth place looks familiar territory now. This flattening of Arsenal at Anfield has renewed Liverpool’s title hopes. After this result, Liverpool suddenly look like they are chasing the title contenders. However the key to success is maintaining this momentum.
Liverpool seem to have answered Arsenal’s obnoxious £40,000,001 bid for Suárez in a rather positive way. After all, deducing from a famous joke that has gone viral over the internet, Wenger should be happy that Suárez, who has amassed 23 goals this season, returned empty-handed against them!
