Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal: As it happened

Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal (Firmino 17', Mane 40', Salah 57', Sturridge 78')

Updated: 27 August 2017 22:25 IST - Published: August, 27 2017 10:28 PM IST

We head into the international break with Arsenal still on three points following their win on Matchday 1. Two consecutive losses sees them six points behind league leaders Manchester United after just three games. Meanwhile, Liverpool move into the top four - two points behind United.

That's it from me. Thanks for joining us. Good night (unless you're an Arsenal fan).

FULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 4-0 ARSENAL

Goals from Firmino, Mane, Salah and Sturridge ensure Jurgen Klopp's side comfortably pocket all three points. It's a sound thrashing! Wenger and his team have a lot to introspect.

The camera focuses on Mesut Ozil who does not know where to look. In the background, Klopp is over the moon, hugging his players. But he, too, has a silent word with Ozil as they walk down the tunnel.

92' Header from Cech! No, it's not a last-ditch effort to score, he comes off his line towards the edge of the box to head the ball away before Liverpool have a chance of getting another shot on target.

Arsenal haven't managed a shot on target. This would be only the third time since 2003 that they haven't managed any in a PL game
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) August 27, 2017

90' The fourth official holds up his board and THREE MINUTES have been added on. 3 minutes for Liverpool to pile on more misery on Arsenal because the Gunners really don't look like scoring now.

88' FOUL! Lacazette is tripped on the right by Henderson and they have a free-kick. Can they ensure Liverpool don't keep a clean sheet?

Not yet! Giroud gets on the end of the cross but his header is over the bar.

87' Arsenal win a corner, Ozil takes it, Karius punches it clear and Liverpool counter-attack. It's the same old story!

Luckily for Arsenal, the shot is straight at Cech and he catches the ball.

85' Lacazette tries to release Monreal down the left channel but Joel Matip is up to the task, shielding the ball away from him. He stands strong and allows the ball to go out for a goal kick as Monreal desperately tries to hook his leg around the tall centre-back to get a touch.

82' SUBSTITUTION: Emre Can is taken off to a standing ovation for an all-round performance. He's put in a shift today and he's replaced by Marko Grujic.

81' Xhakaaaa... Off target! The Arsenal midfielder lets fly a cannon of a strike from range but it's wide.

Shots on target: Liverpool - 8, Arsenal - 0!

81' SUBSTITUTION: Firmino comes off, James Milner comes on - as a midfielder (not a full-back). #LikeANewSigning

80' It's getting ridiculous now. Even Emre Can is trying to dribble through the defence now. He goes down in the box but the referee asks him to get up after Koscielny blocked him fair and square.

78' Salah receives the ball out on the left and he crosses the ball to the far post where Daniel Sturridge arrives and heads it home. Cech was charging out to Salah, stranded, out of position and nowhere close to making the save.

GOOOAAALLL! Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal

76' Wijnaldum has his dancing boots on and it's Welbeck who falls over trying to defend him on the flank, much to the delight of the Liverpool faithful. Arsenal being thoroughly embarrassed here at Anfield.

74' SUBSTITUTION: Mane is withdrawn by Klopp and he's replaced by Daniel Sturridge.

73' YELLOW CARD! Holding attempts to intercept a long ball and his touch is heavy. Both he and Henderson go for the 50/50 ball and it's the Liverpool man who goes down in the clash. Holding is booked.

71' Moreno goes down again after his follow-through on a clearance hits Coquelin. The full-back needs treatment and the physios are on. But he looks good to continue as he slowly gets back to his feet.

70' Maneeee... SAVED! Cech gets a hand to his shot and Bellerin is on hand to clear the ball before it creeps over the line. That could have been 4-0.

69' Giroud tries to find Lacazette by heading the ball toward him but his compatriot's right-footed shot is off target and wide. Arsenal are yet to have a shot on target.

68' What a tackle! Francis Coquelin advances with purpose and looks to link up with the forwards before Can comes in from behind and wins the ball back with an inch-perfect tackle.

66' OFFSIDE! Yet another promising Arsenal attack breaks down, this time after Xhaka's pass to Bellerin is flagged by the linesman because the full-back had strayed a yard or two offside before receiving the pass.

Alexis Sanchez sits on the bench covering his face with his shirt. His first game sees him play just an hour - will it be his last in an Arsenal shirt? 5 more days to go before the transfer window shuts.

62' SUBSTITUTION: Alexis Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain are off for Alexandre Lacazette and Olivier Giroud.

60' Wenger has no idea what to do, he has no idea what has happened to his side as he sits and chews on a toothpick. 10 minutes of good football is all he's been able to elicit from this squad.

57' An Arsenal corner is cleared and Bellerin's touch is so heavy it allows Salah to head the ball past him. The Egyptian has open space with nobody but Cech to beat. The Czech goalkeeper backs off and Salah slips the ball past him with his left foot.

GOOOAAALLL! Liverpool 3-0 Arsenal

54' Oxlade-Chamberlain pounces on a loose pass and sprints up the field and it needs Moreno to eventually kill the attack. Soon after Salah nicks the ball from Monreal and runs at goal, taking a shot that is saved by Cech.

52' FOUL! Mane wins a free-kick after challenging Holding for the ball. It's a set-piece opportunity with Salah and Henderson standing over it.

It's Salah who plays the ball in and Can's header goes out for a goal-kick.... Wait a second, the referee has awarded a corner!

51' It does look like Wenger has admonished this side at half-time. They've come out playing like their pants are on fire, the ball zipping between players in blue while Liverpool figure out their game plan.

49' YELLOW CARD! Mesut Ozil tries to slide in on Henderson and ends up upending the English midfielder. The referee is quick to take out his card and book the German.

48' SAVE! Wijnaldum manages to get a quick shot off after Moreno's ball goes through everyone. However, his shot takes a slight deflection and it doesn't have enough pace on it, allowing Cech to make a comfortable save.

46' It looks like Wenger has switched to a back-four with Bellerin at right-back and Monreal at left-back. Will that be enough to stabilise Arsenal? They look up and ready for this half with a quick foray into the Liverpool box that is hastily blocked and cleared by the defence.

SUBSTITUTION: Francis Coquelin has come on for... Aaron Ramsey? Wow!

Klopp will be very happy with how Liverpool have played so far. Ozil and Alexis have hardly had time on the ball - if Arsenal even manage to get the ball to them in the first place. The Reds' presing has been top notch but can they maintain that intensity for the second half?

Meanwhile, Wenger will have to bring out the hairdryer yet again at Anfield (as he has done in the past). His team looks disjointed with no clear plan of attack. At the moment, they're winging it with the hope that they can get in behind the Liverpool defence - without exposing themselves at the back in the process.

HALF-TIME: Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal

Goals from Firmino and Mane see the home side comfortably leading 2-0 with a toothless Arsenal yet to really test the Liverpool defence and goalkeeper. The Reds have had more possession, more shots on goal and more energy in the first 45 minutes.

Remember, Liverpool played in midweek (a Champions League playoff against Hoffenheim) and still look well rested and up for the game compared to the Gunners.

TWO MINUTES added on at the end of the first half

42' An Arsenal corner sees the ball fall kindly to Holding in the box. But the defender hesitates with a left-footed shot and waits for the ball to roll to his right foot before striking it, allowing Liverpool to block the shot and clear.

40' An Arsenal attack turns into a Liverpool counter-attack and they quickly transition the ball upfield. Firmino finds Sadio Mane who cuts into his right foot to leave Holding stranded before curling a low shot past Cech to find the back of the net. 2-0 to Klopp's side.

GOOOAAALLL! Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal

39' Oxlade-Chamberlain skips past one on the right, then another before a third Liverpool defender eventually stops him.

38' Arsenal win a free-kick and waste it after Koscielny strays offside when the set-piece is taken.

36' OFFSIDE! Salah is through on goal again with Cech charging out to deny him a shot or cross. Lucky for him the flag goes up but the referee is slow to react before stopping play.

34' Liverpool corner! Arsenal have been caught sleeping yet again while Liverpool are on their toes, stealing the ball whenever they can in midfield. This time, it's Bellerin who fails to make a clearance and the Reds' press easily overwhelms them.

32' Mane... MISS! Another spell of Liverpool possession sees the ball fall kindly to Mane at the edge of the box. He tries to volley it goalward but it's wide of the far post as thousands at Anfield groan.

29' Liverpool are dominating possession here. The Arsenal press doesn't seem to be working and the Gooners at Anfield are trying to lift their spirits with constant chanting.

27' GOOO....OFFSIDE! Salah is through on goal and slips his shot past Cech but the linesman's flag goes up. Relief for Arsenal!

The clouds part and there's now bright sunshine at Anfield - falling straight on Cech's face!

25' SAVE! Salah sprints down the right flank and beats Monreal with his pace to get to the ball. He cuts in to leave the Spanish defender in his wake and takes a low shot that is saved by Cech.

23' YELLOW CARD! This time it's Gomez who is booked for a tackle on Ramsey. Arsenal have a free-kick out on the left and Liverpool are vulnerable on set-pieces.

Alexis Sanchez whips in the cross but Karius punches it clear.

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