Match Week 3 - Liverpool vs Arsenal

Liverpool’s first real test in the Premier League came on Match Day 3, hosting Arsenal at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool has had a good record against the Gunners, unbeaten in 7 Premier League meetings against them. Meanwhile, Arsenal were struggling to win against the ‘Big six’. This fixture has a special feature associated with it; it has produced a Premier League record number of goals, an incredible 159 goals between them. The match showcased all 3 of last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winners together in a match; Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The match was witnessed by 53,000 people and the match referee was Anthony Taylor.

Lineups:                     Liverpool lined up in their usual 4-3-3 formation, brining on Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in place of James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal went with a diamond formation (4-1-2-1-2) in midfield; Nicolas Pepe was brought in for Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka came in for Reiss Nelson. Unai Emery didn’t risk naming Mesut Ozil in the team sheet as he was still recovering from an illness. Liverpool having to attack the KOP end in the first half after losing the toss. First Half Analysis: Arsenal started the first half on the back foot and remained so throughout most of the half. Arsenal played a diamond formation in midfield; allowing Liverpool fullbacks to push forward and thus leaving their 2 strikers to go 1v1 with the 2 Liverpool defenders. This plan backfired for Arsenal almost immediately as the wide players of Liverpool were able to find lots of space and were able to cross from those wide areas. Andy Robertson tested this early by fizzing a cross right across Arsenal’s box and almost finding Roberto Firmino. The Liverpool full backs enjoyed the space the most and were able to pressure the opposition really high up the pitch, even pressing their counterparts from goal kicks. Arsenal did have a few chances in the first half; Aubameyang almost got the first goal of the match when Adrian stepped out to clear the ball, but went just wide and Nicolas Pepe had an opportunity to be the hero for Arsenal when he beat Henderson and Robertson to go 1 v 1 with Adrian, but his shot was straight at the goal keeper. Liverpool scored the first goal of the match from an Alexander-Arnold corner, finding the tall Joel Matip who did well despite going unchallenged in the box.   Second Half Analysis: Second half began with Liverpool showing the same tenacity as shown in the first half. Liverpool won a penalty within the first couple of minutes when David Luiz tugged the shirt of Mo Salah in the penalty box. Liverpool’s pacey winger stepped up and smashed it past Leno to score his 5th goal in 6 apps against Arsenal. Liverpool added another one thanks to their star man who did brilliantly well to turn David Luiz and run at the Arsenal goal and easily put it past Leno to increase his tally against Arsenal. Lucas Torreira was brought on by Arsenal to add some mettle in their midfield and he repaid the faith shown by his manager by scoring their only goal. MOTM: Mo Salah. 6 goals in 6 games against Arsenal is brilliant record. He played really well against a difficult opposition. Always willing to run past the opposition’s defensive line and pressing from the front when having lost the ball. Things to take away:

1. Three wins out of there for the Merseyside team, the only team in the league with 100% win rate. Liverpool played decently well against a tough opposition but were predictable all through the match. Arsenal allowed Liverpool to control the wide areas and stayed compact and narrow to defend against the Liverpool crosses.
2. Liverpool should’ve looked for shorter passing in the final third rather than crossing from the wide areas. This helped Arsenal tremendously and was able to clear their lines easily. Liverpool should’ve also experimented with variations in their crosses.
3. Arsenal came to Anfield with a game plan and it failed. But all’s not gloomy for the London side as their record signing Nicolas Pepe looks like a real gem. He tormented both Virgil Van Djik and Andy Robertson all throughout the match. He showed incredible pace and skill against a difficult opposition.
4. Arsenal’s struggle against the ‘Big 6’ is a real concern for Unai Emery. But it’s still very early in the season and there’s a long way to go. With talent like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe anything can happen. The North London derby will be a trial by fire for the Gunners.
5. Liverpool should really take a close look at their plan ‘B’, when one of the front three becomes unavailable. Liverpool currently lacks any real firepower on their bench.