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Liverpool v Arsenal: Premier League – live! Liverpool v Arsenal: Premier League – live!
(32 minutes later)
Minute-by-minute report: Will Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal continue their strong form by getting a result against the champions? Join Rob SmythMinute-by-minute report: Will Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal continue their strong form by getting a result against the champions? Join Rob Smyth
72 min Ceballos is booked for bumping Mane to the floor.
72 min Plenty of recent Arsenal teams would be 4-1 or 5-1 down tonight. They’ve done ever so well to stay in the game because Liverpool have been relentless.
71 min “Darren Fletcher was very good on Match of the Day 2 last night demonstrating how Bielsaball begins with his overload of defenders (opposition attackers plus one),” says Gary Naylor. “I’d suggest leaving three players up against Liverpool as often as possible, pinning one full back and then judicious use of the benign block (aka tactical foul) on the other side - players usually get two or three before the yellow card.
“Not perfect of course, but if the average position of the full-backs is ten yards further back, surely that would reduce their threat significantly over 95 minutes. Whether it’s worth the understaffed midfield is moot, but these full-backs win so many matches any answer to them has to be radical.”
I like that idea, but I’m not sure you would pin a full-back - wouldn’t they just drop Fabinho in? It’ll be interested, especially after yesterday, to see what Brendan Rodgers does when Leicester next play Liverpool.
70 min Marvellous persistence from Mane, who fights his way past Bellerin and Ceballos before whipping a shot from a tight angle that is comfortable saved by Leno.
68 min Bellerin is booked for a foul on Mane. And Willian is replaced by Nicolas Pepe.
68 min Aubameyang tries to run Fabinho, who blocks his run and is lucky not to be penalised.
66 min Arsenal are still in this game, just about. The next goal is a big goal. I thank you.
64 min Mane, on the turn, shovels a loose ball just wide after Firmino’s pass deflected into his path. It was a difficult chance because he had to do a 180-degree spin just to get a shot anywhere near goal.
63 min: Big save from Alisson! Lacazette goes through on goal again after a crafty pass from Ceballos. He looked onside this time and he was, but Alisson came out quickly and stood tall to block his shot. Lacazette should have done better.
62 min Van Dijk strides forward and has a pop from 25 yards. It’s well struck and Leno shovels it away as he falls to his left.
61 min Salah’s slightly selfish shot from a tight angle is blocked by Tierney.
61 min “Thinking of hipster beers, and so on, back in my undergrad days at UCL, Newcastle Brown Ale was the cheap beer of choice,” says Sarah Rothwell. “Nowadays, here in Denver, you see it sold as a cool hipster beverage. Amazing what a few decades and a change of accent can do for a drink.”
That’s absurd. I had no idea it had become a hipster beer. What next: Hofmeister New England IPA?
60 min An Arsenal substitution. Dani Ceballos replaces Granit Xhaka, who has worked like a beast without the ball. And he wasn’t booked.
59 min Alisson denies Lacazette in a one-on-one, though everyone knew he was going to be flagged offside after the event, and he was.
58 min Willian stays down for a bit after a crunching challenge from Fabinho. He’s fine now.
57 min “The match is on Peacock over here, a channel we can finally stream,” says Lorraine Berry. “Ordinarily, my mum would be over to watch the match with me (she doesn’t have streaming). Except that she called me at one to tell me that she was still so annoyed over Manchester City’s performance yesterday that she just can’t bear to watch Liverpool today. She’s devoted to City. My mother is 75. She’s apparently more hardcore than my dad ever was.”
That’s outstanding.
55 min Arsenal are having much more of the ball in this half. That comes with the risk of Liverpool counter-attacks, so I doubt this will end 2-1.
54 min “Can I be the first person in human history to compare Liverpool to the entirely wonderful, relentless, post-punk trio THIS HEAT?” says Russell Richardson. “‘Metal’ just won’t do to describe their ferocity. Just listen to the first bars of the first track on their first (1979) album to see my point: Horizontal Hold.”
52 min Arsenal have already had twice as many touches in the Liverpool area in this half (four) as they did throughout the first half.
51 min Alexander-Arnold’s dangerous volleyed cross is calmly chested away by David Luiz at the near post. He’s played well tonight. As has been said many times, he looks so much better in a back three.
50 min “I had 13 vodka red bulls one night and didn’t sleep until the day after,” shivers Matthew Stephens. “I was as shaky as an Arsenal’s defensive line. Haven’t touched the stuff since.”
The hipster booze revolution came too late for our generation of students, eh. The closest thing to craft beer at Keele was Carlsberg Export.
49 min Arsenal have started the second half with greater intent. Lacazette tees up the off-balance Maitland-Niles, whose shot would have gone out for a throw-in had it not hit van Dijk.
49 min Alexander-Arnold is booked for a late tackle on Tierney.
47 min Mane almost makes it 3-1, blasting over the bar from the edge of the area after a clipped ball over the top from Wijnaldum. Leno had it covered.
46 min Peep peep! Liverpool begin the second half.
“For melodic heavy metal look no further than Norway’s finest – Kvelertak,” writes Iain Gray. “Utterly bonkersly magnificent.”
Half-time readingHalf-time reading
“What do you do to counteract Liverpool’s full backs?” wonders John Dublin. “Do you invent a position called the holding winger, where the main function of the player is to basically cover every run of the full back and not much is expected from them in an attacking sense; think James McClean as a reference. This would put extra pressure on Liverpool’s midfield to be creative which hasn’t always been their strong suit but, the arrival of Thiago has probably solved that issue.”“What do you do to counteract Liverpool’s full backs?” wonders John Dublin. “Do you invent a position called the holding winger, where the main function of the player is to basically cover every run of the full back and not much is expected from them in an attacking sense; think James McClean as a reference. This would put extra pressure on Liverpool’s midfield to be creative which hasn’t always been their strong suit but, the arrival of Thiago has probably solved that issue.”
Plenty of teams have tried that – not just against Liverpool but also Barcelona when they had Jordi Alba and Dani Alves. Sir Alex Ferguson often used Park in that role, not just against Barcelona.Plenty of teams have tried that – not just against Liverpool but also Barcelona when they had Jordi Alba and Dani Alves. Sir Alex Ferguson often used Park in that role, not just against Barcelona.
I’ve never seen a better pair of attacking full-backs in English football, so goodness knows what you’re supposed to do. The threat is so different as well: Robertson is all about buccaneering runs and precise low crosses, whereas Alexander-Arnold can put in devastating crosses from almost any position.I’ve never seen a better pair of attacking full-backs in English football, so goodness knows what you’re supposed to do. The threat is so different as well: Robertson is all about buccaneering runs and precise low crosses, whereas Alexander-Arnold can put in devastating crosses from almost any position.
Peep peep! Arsenal had the effrontery to take the lead through Alexandre Lacazette after a comedy howler from Andy Robertson. Liverpool - who were already well on top - responded ferociously. Sadio Mane equalised a few moments later and Robertson summed up Liverpool’s mentality monstrousness by making up for his error and putting Liverpool ahead. It’s not entirely palatable for supporters of their rivals, but Liverpool are just awesome.Peep peep! Arsenal had the effrontery to take the lead through Alexandre Lacazette after a comedy howler from Andy Robertson. Liverpool - who were already well on top - responded ferociously. Sadio Mane equalised a few moments later and Robertson summed up Liverpool’s mentality monstrousness by making up for his error and putting Liverpool ahead. It’s not entirely palatable for supporters of their rivals, but Liverpool are just awesome.
45 min Two minutes of added time.45 min Two minutes of added time.
43 min Actually, I think Maitland-Niles was offside anyway.43 min Actually, I think Maitland-Niles was offside anyway.
42 min David Luiz waves a long pass over the top of the Liverpool defence to put Maitland-Niles, but his first touch is poor and the ball runs through to Alisson. It wasn’t the easiest ball to control, but had he done so he would have been clear.42 min David Luiz waves a long pass over the top of the Liverpool defence to put Maitland-Niles, but his first touch is poor and the ball runs through to Alisson. It wasn’t the easiest ball to control, but had he done so he would have been clear.
40 min “In the mid-1970s, a ‘hosepipe’ was briefly all the rage down our way,” says Duncan Edwards. “Half of Guinness, double brandy, and a barley wine all in a pint glass. A fearsome combo. More recently I took a sip of Red Bull which was more than enough.”40 min “In the mid-1970s, a ‘hosepipe’ was briefly all the rage down our way,” says Duncan Edwards. “Half of Guinness, double brandy, and a barley wine all in a pint glass. A fearsome combo. More recently I took a sip of Red Bull which was more than enough.”
Why can I suddenly smell Embassy Regal?Why can I suddenly smell Embassy Regal?
39 min Arsenal cannot get out. Holding’s pass goes straight to Firmino, 30 yards from goal. He combines with Wijnaldum and Mane to almost release Robertson, who is superbly tracked by the second right-back Willian.39 min Arsenal cannot get out. Holding’s pass goes straight to Firmino, 30 yards from goal. He combines with Wijnaldum and Mane to almost release Robertson, who is superbly tracked by the second right-back Willian.
38 min Here’s Scott Blair on the subject of melodic heavy metal. “I’d suggest UFO, which rather nicely opens the door to a they’re Too Hot To Handle reference at some appropriate juncture in the match.”38 min Here’s Scott Blair on the subject of melodic heavy metal. “I’d suggest UFO, which rather nicely opens the door to a they’re Too Hot To Handle reference at some appropriate juncture in the match.”
36 min Arsenal have done quite well in this half, yet they have been absolutely battered.36 min Arsenal have done quite well in this half, yet they have been absolutely battered.
I’m sorry, this is just awesome. They are utterly relentless. Alexander-Arnold’s deep cross skims off the head of Bellerin and reaches Robertson, who controls it on the chest and pokes it past Leno. I’m surprised VAR didn’t look at it for a possible handball, if only because his arms were tight to his body. That said, I’m pretty sure it was okay.I’m sorry, this is just awesome. They are utterly relentless. Alexander-Arnold’s deep cross skims off the head of Bellerin and reaches Robertson, who controls it on the chest and pokes it past Leno. I’m surprised VAR didn’t look at it for a possible handball, if only because his arms were tight to his body. That said, I’m pretty sure it was okay.
Andy Robertson makes up for his mistake by putting Liverpool ahead.Andy Robertson makes up for his mistake by putting Liverpool ahead.
34 min Liverpool have had 76 per cent possession and nine shots to Arsenal’s one.34 min Liverpool have had 76 per cent possession and nine shots to Arsenal’s one.
33 min “Right,” says Matt Dony. “Only Connect is finished, I can give the match my full attention. Heavy metal football, but with plenty of melody. Also, an astonishing amount of technical ability and creativity. By way of comparison, I offer the musical stylings of Between The Buried And Me to the MBM collective. Listen to their album Colors, and thank me later.”33 min “Right,” says Matt Dony. “Only Connect is finished, I can give the match my full attention. Heavy metal football, but with plenty of melody. Also, an astonishing amount of technical ability and creativity. By way of comparison, I offer the musical stylings of Between The Buried And Me to the MBM collective. Listen to their album Colors, and thank me later.”
32 min Liverpool’s intensity with and without the ball is incredible. It’s a shame they didn’t play Bayern Munich in the Champions League final; it could have been an all-time classic.32 min Liverpool’s intensity with and without the ball is incredible. It’s a shame they didn’t play Bayern Munich in the Champions League final; it could have been an all-time classic.
31 min “Jürgen Klopp has a tough job,” says Peter Oh. “With so many good midfielders at his disposal he can’t possibly Keita to everyone’s preferences.”31 min “Jürgen Klopp has a tough job,” says Peter Oh. “With so many good midfielders at his disposal he can’t possibly Keita to everyone’s preferences.”
The equaliser came from an excellent advantage by the referee Craig Pawson after a foul by David Luiz on Keita. Firmino picked up the loose ball and played it to Salah, who surged thrillingly away from Tierney - his first touch into the space was marvellous - and whipped a shot that was beaten away by Leno. It rebounded straight to Mane, who cushioned a volley into the empty net.The equaliser came from an excellent advantage by the referee Craig Pawson after a foul by David Luiz on Keita. Firmino picked up the loose ball and played it to Salah, who surged thrillingly away from Tierney - his first touch into the space was marvellous - and whipped a shot that was beaten away by Leno. It rebounded straight to Mane, who cushioned a volley into the empty net.
Going ahead against Liverpool isn’t always advisable.
27 min Lacazette was miles offside but it didn’t matter because Robertson played the ball through to him. It was Hackney Marshes fare.
That was Arsenal’s first decent counter-attack of the entire game. They broke the Liverpool press and Lacazette found Maitland-Niles on the left. His cross was poor but Robertson made a complete hash of a routine clearance, miscuing the ball straight to Lacazette in front of goal. He turned and mishit a volley that bounced over the stretching Alisson, who had gone down expecting a cleaner contact.
Arsenal take the lead with a farcical goal!
24 min David Luiz gets away with his first mistake. He tried to play out from inside the Arsenal area and gave the ball to Alexander-Arnold. He combined with Keita to tee up Wijnaldum, whose low shot from inside the D was straight at Leno.
23 min “The midfield tonight for Liverpool is missing its best two players,” says Ciaran Hanley. “I was looking forward to seeing Thiago against a deep-lying defence as that was the main reason he was bought. Henderson is often missed when he’s not playing. So Fabinho, Wijnaldum and in particular Keita need to step up tonight. Fab has to be good defensively, Wijnaldum has to get in the box and Keita has to create.”
You’re right, but sometimes it feels like the front three and full-backs are so good that they could play me, you and Homer Simpson in central midfield and still score three or four.
21 min: Alexander-Arnold hits the bar! Robertson’s outswinging corner was headed away by David Luiz. It came to Alexander-Arnold, who spanked the sweetest half-volley towards goal from 25 yards. The ball hit Bellerin, bounced into the ground and then up onto the bar.
21 min “Another Everton fan hoping for a draw,” says Mary Waltz. “It’s positively juvenile how much pleasure I get from being above the Reds, I know winter is coming and it will not last, but every day at the top, point wise, is an amazing opportunity for joy. Sad, but true.”
20 min Arsenal have barely had a kick, yet Mikel Arteta will be pretty happy I think. They’ve been compact and error-free at the back, and Leno has only one save to make.
16 min “I really want to see a team kick off and score while the opposition are taking a knee,” says Andrew. “Don Revie’s Leeds might have done that. And it was brandy and Red Bull if you really liked mixing your stimulants.”
I’ve drunk some filth in my time but that is too much.
15 min It’s all Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold crosses towards the near post, where Mane sweeps a half-volley at goal. It’s beautifully struck but straight at Leno, who beats it away.
13 min A nice training-ground corner from Liverpool. Robertson, on the left, angles it sharply back towards Salah, who arrives late and spanks it over the bar. It was a difficult chance, on the run and under pressure, though it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see him roof it.
12 min: David Luiz heads off the line! Alexander-Arnold won the ball off Tierney on the right wing and hit a magnificent first-time cross towards the far post. Van Dijk, who was still up from a corner, headed back across Leno and David Luiz nutted the ball behind for a corner. I’m not sure it was going in but David Luiz took no chances.
11 min Arsenal are sitting very deep, as they did so successfully against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final. They haven’t yet had any decent counter-attacks, but then nor had Leicester at this stage of their game yesterday.
9 min “Now that your lot are shite for the foreseeable, I can look back with a less jaundiced eye,” says Paul Ewart. “So the question I have for you, is was Anderson a) any good, b) a solid citizen, or c) a disappointment. We can all see that Naby’s a player but it’s make-or-break for him now.”
He had some great games in his first season, especially away to the bigger sides, but got worse as time went on. He remained an essential part of the Arsenal Kryptonite midfield (Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson) but became more of a cult figure. Ultimately he was a disappointment because he had such potential. He was 19 when he played brilliantly at the Emirates and Anfield.
7 min Nothing much is happening. You’re welcome!
5 min Lots of early possession for Liverpool, who are playing with a level of confidence that is almost illegal. They are so good to watch. It might be heavy-metal football but there’s plenty of melody in there as well. There’ll be even more once Thiago gets in the team.
3 min Tierney goes down after being hit in the face by Mane. It was more of a shove than a punch, and Mane is booked. It wasn’t a million miles from a red-card offence, but a yellow card was probably right.
2 min “I am a committed Naby fan as I watched him carry Red Bull,” says Ian Copestake, “and I don’t just mean in bags from the offie.”
That last image gave me a little chill. Remember when trolleying double vodka Red Bulls by night seemed a good idea?
1 min Peep peep! Arsenal, in their bloody away kit, kick off from left to right.
“Can we play Xhaka yellow card bingo?” says Ruth Purdue. “I have the 12th minute. Any takers?”
Bingo responsibly.
The players are out on the field and ready for action. The next two hours shouldn’t be dull.
“Under Arteta, Arsenal seem to have coherent strategies,” writes Juan. “Team selection is easy to understand and appropriate to his tactics for each game. The players look as if they know what they are doing. Won’t help us tonight, mind.”
“Keita moves the ball forward in central areas by running with it or quick short passes,” says Niall Mullen. “ I’m not sure how effective that’s been in this team that likes to attack from out wide but I like watching it.”
Oh aye, I’m not saying he’s the new Istvan Kozma; he just hasn’t stood out when I’ve seen him. That said, and odd as it sounds, it’s hard to judge non-highlights players when you do a liveblog because you spend half the match typing/looking at emails/being asked whether you get paid to write this.
“As an Everton fan it’s exceedingly rare to be looking down on either of these teams in the table, let alone both of them, so under the circumstances my desired outcome is a draw,” says Matt Burtz. “If Liverpool must win, I would prefer it if it’s only by one goal. If Arsenal wins, well, let’s reckon with that if it actually happens. And yes, I’m aware that only three games have been played, but I’ll take what I can get.”
“Naby Keita seems to be getting a run of games at the moment, regardless of who else is fit,” says Ben Raza. “He’s blown hot and cold (and, mainly, lukewarm) since he came to Anfield. The early part of this season looks like his last big chance I reckon.”
I half thought Curtis Jones might start tonight. Keita has never been that impressive when I’ve seen him, but I get the impression I’ve missed his better games. Liverpool have serious depth in central midfield now.
Diogo Jota is on the bench for Liverpool, but Thiago is out with a minor injury. Alisson starts - he was doubtful with an unspecified injury - and Fabinho moves back into midfield to replace the injured Jordan Henderson.
Mikel Arteta has picked a slightly more cautious team: Rob Holding, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mohamed Elneny preferred to Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Dani Ceballos. The new goalkeeper Alex Runarsson is on the bench.
Liverpool (4-3-3) Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Keita, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.Substitutes: Adrian, Williams, Milner, Jones, Minamino, Jota, Origi.
Arsenal (3-4-3) Leno; Holding, David Luiz, Tierney; Bellerin, Elneny, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles; Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang.Substitutes: Runarsson, Gabriel, Saka, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Pepe, Nketiah.
Pre-match reading
Aston Villa are hammering Fulham at Craven Cottage in the early game. It’s 3-0 just after half-time: Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane and Tyrone Mings scored the goals.
Arsenal: your country needs you. Sure, it’s the same country that has sneered at you for most of the past decade, but you must understand that it was only banter. Besides, we all need a favour. Because if somebody doesn’t undermine Liverpool pretty soon, the 2020-21 title race will be over by Christmas for the second year in a row.
While the rest of the Big Six have started the season in varying states of shambles, Arsenal have won their first two games and start tonight’s match above Liverpool on goal difference. Yes, those wins were against Fulham and West Ham, but they have continued Arsenal’s obvious improvement under Mikel Arteta.
They beat Liverpool, albeit in a dead rubber, at the back end of last season and then again on penalties in the Community Shield. Anfield is a whole new level of difficulty, a place where Arsenal have been taken apart in recent seasons. On their last eight visits, they have conceded a bruising 30 goals.
Arsenal do have the players to hurt a Liverpool defence that has been a bit slapdash in recent months. But while they have improved at the back themselves, keeping Liverpool quiet at Anfield is nigh-on impossible. For Gabriel, David Luiz and Kieran Tierney - for the whole Arsenal team - this is the real quiz.
Liverpool are an awesome team who, at the moment, look unstoppable. So did Arsenal in the autumn of 2002 and 2004, yet they didn’t win the league in either season. Things can change, such is the primacy of confidence, but for that to happen somebody needs to urgently introduce Liverpool’s mentality monsters to the concept of self-doubt. Leeds almost managed it; Chelsea didn’t come close. Now it’s Arsenal’s turn. For once, the nation is with them.
Kick off 8pm BST.