While many may consider the two sides as equal on paper, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool pulled off a wonderful win at Anfield against visitors Arsenal on Sunday, with the Merseyside giants thrashing the Gunners 4-0 much to the delight of the home fans.
It was clear once the whistle was blown at kick-off that the two sides were wary of what their opponents were capable of. Both sides played it safe during the first ten minutes of the match, with much of the game being played in the middle of the pitch. Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah each had a shot at goal early on, but no goals were scored.
However, the first goal came in like lightning. The home side found themselves on the break with Liverpool committing men forward. Dejan Lovren swung out an early cross which found Roberto Firmino inside the box, who headed home to open the scoring at the 17th minute.
When all the early pressure pays off 😆
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal (24 mins) #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/GzdKZuon8v
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 27, 2017
From then on, Arsenal decided to drop their possession-intensive play for something a bit more direct. They started chasing the ball more, which clashed mightily against Klopp’s gegenpressing tactics. The increased agression on the pitch soon turned to bookings, with as much as four players being showed yellow cards in the next 20 minutes.
Liverpool would soon add to their goal tally come the 40th minute. Liverpool’s pace on the counter proved too much for Arsenal. Sadio Mane scored Liverpool’s second goal of the game after a quick string of passess from back to front after a counter, with Firmino on hand to provide the assist.
The second half proved to be as action-packed as the first. After just thirteen minutes, Liverpool would find their third goal: Anfield new boy Mohamed Salah proved he has what it takes to play for the Reds by scoring a sublime goal from inside the box.
Sensing they need to up their game to at least acquire a consolation goal and a decent scoreline, Arsenal began throwing bodies forward in an effort to decreased their deficit against a confident Liverpool side. Alexandre Lacazette had a couple of attempts, but none of them fell on target.
Current mood. 💪 pic.twitter.com/uXfLjhspje
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 27, 2017
Liverpool punished Arsenal’s abandonment of defence by scoring another goal courtesy of fan favourite Daniel Sturridge, who scored from point-blank range after a brilliant cross from Salah.
The match would end 4-0 in favour of the home side, and Jurgen Klopp will be satisfied with what his team was able to accomplish in this game.