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| Arsenal v Liverpool: Premier League – live! | Arsenal v Liverpool: Premier League – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.31pm BST13:31 | |
| GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Liverpool (Sanchez 44) | |
| After a slip from Kolo Toure, Alexis Sanchez fires past the hapless Mignolet from the edge of the Liverpool penalty area. He shot straight down the centre, but the goalkeeper just waved it in. He should have saved that. Arsenal lead 3-0 courtesy of three goals in eight minutes. | |
| 1.30pm BST13:30 | |
| 43 min: Interestingly, according to BT Sport commentator Ian Darke, Ozil practiced five or six free-kick from that exact position while warming up before the game, so it’s no great surprise that he scored. | |
| 1.28pm BST13:28 | |
| 40 min: My word, Arsenal take a two-goal lead courtesy of a fine strike from their German midfielder. “He was fouled by Sakho just outside the Liverpool penalty area to win the free-kick and placed the ball a little right of the D. With Per Mertesacker blocking Simon Mignolet’s view, Ozil took aim and curled the ball inside the upright, beyond the reach of the diving Mignolet. | |
| 1.25pm BST13:25 | |
| GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool (Ozil 39) | |
| Mesut Ozil curls the ball inside the left upright again with a fantastic free-kick from about four yards outside the Liverpool penalty area. | |
| Updated at 1.34pm BST | |
| 1.24pm BST13:24 | |
| 38 min: Hector Bellerin scores his second goal for Arsenal and it was a thoroughly splendid strike. Picking up the ball from Aaron Ramsey on the right flank, deep in Liverpool territory, he cuts into the penalty area and, with Alberto Moreno backing off him, curls a marvellous left-footed effort around Simon Mignolet and inside the foot of the left upright. | |
| 1.22pm BST13:22 | |
| GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool (Bellerin 37) | |
| Arsenal take the lead courtesy of a splendid individual goal and a fine finish from Hector Bellerin. | |
| Updated at 1.32pm BST | |
| 1.21pm BST13:21 | |
| 35 min: Arsenal pass and probe down the left, with things getting a little over-elaborate and “Arsenal” between Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud. Liverpool clear. | |
| 1.19pm BST13:19 | |
| 32 min: Sakho looks much improved from his niggle and incurs the wrath of Laurent Koscielny when he catches the defender with a leading arm while contesting a high ball. | |
| 1.17pm BST13:17 | |
| 30 min: Liverpool go forward again, with Jordan Henderson galloping into space down the right flank. He sends the ball into the penalty area, where once again the home defenders look remarkably jittery. A cross from the left by Sterling proves just beyond the reach of his skipper and Arsenal clear their lines again. You’d have put your house on Arsenal winning this game on the evidence of the opening 10 or 15 minutes, but it’s a much tougher one to call with any confidence now. Liverpool are right back in it. | |
| Updated at 1.19pm BST | |
| 1.14pm BST13:14 | |
| 28 min: Sanchez and Ozil combine down the right flank and win a throw-in for their team on the edge of the final third. Hector Bellerin takes the throw-in, but Mamadou Sakho clears the danger. | |
| 1.13pm BST13:13 | |
| 26 min: Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho seems to have picked up a knock and is struggling. Dejan Lovren is warming up on the touchline. | |
| 1.12pm BST13:12 | |
| 23 min: Just outside the Arsenal penalty area, Sterling pounces on a decent pass through the centre, takes Koscielney out of the equation with a wonderful first touch and then shoots low from distance, dragging the ball wide of the left upright. He might have done better if he’d taken another touch or two to bring him closer to the goal. | |
| Updated at 1.23pm BST | |
| 1.10pm BST13:10 | |
| 22 min: A little over 20 minutes in and it’s been a quarter of ... em, two halves. Arsenal dominated for the opening 12 minutes but got no reward for their superiority, but Liverpool appear to be on top now and have missed the best chance of the game. | |
| Updated at 1.11pm BST | |
| 1.07pm BST13:07 | |
| 18 min: Raheem Sterling misses what looks like a sitter. The ball’s threaded through Arsenal’s defence and Lazar Markovic pounces on it, with Raheem Sterling in support to his left. David Ospina advances from his goal and Markovic attempts to roll the ball into the path of his team-mate. With the goal gaping and no more than a tap-in required, Markovic criminally overhits his pass, sending the ball trundling a yard out of Sterling’s reach. He stretches every sinew in an effort to divert the ball into the goal, but it’s just too far away from him. That’s a terrible pass and Sterling is understandably irritated by Markovic’s poor delivery. | |
| Updated at 1.15pm BST | |
| 1.03pm BST13:03 | |
| 17 min: Ramsey crosses from the right for Arsenal, but Liverpool’s defenders clear the danger and their team embarks on another sortie down the field and get Sterling on the ball. He attempts to dink a speculative cross-come-shot goalwards, but Arsenal clear their lines. | |
| 1.02pm BST13:02 | |
| 15 min: The camera cuts to Brendan Rodgers, who is busy scribbling in a notebook. “Tell Lucas and Kolo to stop giving the ball away,” is my guess, although he might just be writing a shopping list. | |
| 1.00pm BST13:00 | |
| 13 min: Arsenal are playing a high line here and almost get caught out as Sterling pounces on a through-ball only to be flagged for offside. That was very, very tight and replays suggest that Per Mertesacker was playing the Liverpool striker onside. | |
| 12.58pm BST12:58 | 12.58pm BST12:58 |
| 10 min: Nothing comes of Liverpool’s corner, which is taken by Jordan Henderson. Arsenal turn the screw again, constantly pressing and forcing their visitors to repeatedly cede possession in midfield. | 10 min: Nothing comes of Liverpool’s corner, which is taken by Jordan Henderson. Arsenal turn the screw again, constantly pressing and forcing their visitors to repeatedly cede possession in midfield. |
| 12.56pm BST12:56 | 12.56pm BST12:56 |
| 9 min: Liverpool finally clear their lines and go on the attack, winning a corner when an attempted cross from Lazar Markovic on the right flank is put out by Laurent Koscielney. This has been quite the white-knuckle ride thus far. | 9 min: Liverpool finally clear their lines and go on the attack, winning a corner when an attempted cross from Lazar Markovic on the right flank is put out by Laurent Koscielney. This has been quite the white-knuckle ride thus far. |
| 12.54pm BST12:54 | 12.54pm BST12:54 |
| 6 min: Arsenal take two corners in a row, from which nothing comes. There’s an appeal for a penalty when, from close range, Sanchez thumps the ball into the hands of Jordan Henderson, who had little or no opportunity to get them out of the way. | 6 min: Arsenal take two corners in a row, from which nothing comes. There’s an appeal for a penalty when, from close range, Sanchez thumps the ball into the hands of Jordan Henderson, who had little or no opportunity to get them out of the way. |
| 12.53pm BST12:53 | 12.53pm BST12:53 |
| 4 min: Arsenal continue to pile the hurt on Liverpool and bring another fine save out of Mignolet, courtesy of another defensive howler from Kolo Toure that gifts possession to Aaron Ramsey. The Arsenal midfielder scorches goalwards and shoots from 12 yards, only to be thwarted by the Liverpool goalkeeper. Kolo Toure atones for his error by beating Cazorla to the loose ball and hacking it clear. | 4 min: Arsenal continue to pile the hurt on Liverpool and bring another fine save out of Mignolet, courtesy of another defensive howler from Kolo Toure that gifts possession to Aaron Ramsey. The Arsenal midfielder scorches goalwards and shoots from 12 yards, only to be thwarted by the Liverpool goalkeeper. Kolo Toure atones for his error by beating Cazorla to the loose ball and hacking it clear. |
| Updated at 1.06pm BST | |
| 12.50pm BST12:50 | 12.50pm BST12:50 |
| 3 min: Simon Mignolet is forced to make a save and it’s straight out of the top drawer. Having gifted possession to Arsenal in midfield again, Santi Cazorla shot low and diagonally through the legs of Kolo Toure, forcing the Belgian to get down and save with a strong hand. | 3 min: Simon Mignolet is forced to make a save and it’s straight out of the top drawer. Having gifted possession to Arsenal in midfield again, Santi Cazorla shot low and diagonally through the legs of Kolo Toure, forcing the Belgian to get down and save with a strong hand. |
| Updated at 12.57pm BST | Updated at 12.57pm BST |
| 12.48pm BST12:48 | 12.48pm BST12:48 |
| 2 min: Ramsey and Bellerin combine down the right flank in a bid to pick their way through the Liverpool defence, but are forced backwards. A cross-field pass from Santi Cazorla sends them on their way again - this is a confident start from the Gunners. | 2 min: Ramsey and Bellerin combine down the right flank in a bid to pick their way through the Liverpool defence, but are forced backwards. A cross-field pass from Santi Cazorla sends them on their way again - this is a confident start from the Gunners. |
| Updated at 12.48pm BST | Updated at 12.48pm BST |
| 12.46pm BST12:46 | 12.46pm BST12:46 |
| 1 min: Liverpool get the ball rolling, with their players in their change kit of black shirts, shorts and sock. Arsenal are in their usual home kit of red shirts with white sleeves, white shorts and white socks. A mistake from Joe Allen allows Santi Cazorla to win possession in the Liverpool half and pick out Alexis Sanchez, who fires low, hard and well wide from distance. | 1 min: Liverpool get the ball rolling, with their players in their change kit of black shirts, shorts and sock. Arsenal are in their usual home kit of red shirts with white sleeves, white shorts and white socks. A mistake from Joe Allen allows Santi Cazorla to win possession in the Liverpool half and pick out Alexis Sanchez, who fires low, hard and well wide from distance. |
| 12.43pm BST12:43 | 12.43pm BST12:43 |
| Not long now: The teams are lined up in the tunnel, with Jordan Henderson and Per Mertesacker wearing the captains’ armbands. Referee Anthony Taylor plucks the match ball from the ceremonial plinth, the teams line up either side of his team of match officials and handshakes ensue. Prediction time: I’m going for Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool. Here’s hoping we get a decent game. | Not long now: The teams are lined up in the tunnel, with Jordan Henderson and Per Mertesacker wearing the captains’ armbands. Referee Anthony Taylor plucks the match ball from the ceremonial plinth, the teams line up either side of his team of match officials and handshakes ensue. Prediction time: I’m going for Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool. Here’s hoping we get a decent game. |
| 12.35pm BST12:35 | 12.35pm BST12:35 |
| Brendan Rodgers speaks ... | Brendan Rodgers speaks ... |
| The Liverpool manager says that his side’s most recent defeat was very upsetting. “The Manchester United games was bitterly disappointing, not so much for the result, but because of the way we played,” he reveals. Of his team selection, he says that it was “a straightforward decision” to replace Martin Skrtel with Kolo Toure, which won’t come as music to the ears of poor Dejan Lovren, whose move from Southampton to Liverpool has been an unmitigated disaster for the Croatian centre-back. | The Liverpool manager says that his side’s most recent defeat was very upsetting. “The Manchester United games was bitterly disappointing, not so much for the result, but because of the way we played,” he reveals. Of his team selection, he says that it was “a straightforward decision” to replace Martin Skrtel with Kolo Toure, which won’t come as music to the ears of poor Dejan Lovren, whose move from Southampton to Liverpool has been an unmitigated disaster for the Croatian centre-back. |
| Rodgers also said that it was a straightforward decision to play Raheem Sterling through the centre, because Daniel Sturridge hasn’t been able to train much, coming off the back of an injury. On the subject of Sterling, he says: “My relationship with Rasheem is very strong and never once has he said he wants to leave.” He adds that “I know Raheem very well” and says that he plans to carry on his development. “He’s a very strong character,” concludes Rodgers. “There is no way I ever thought of leaving him out today.” | Rodgers also said that it was a straightforward decision to play Raheem Sterling through the centre, because Daniel Sturridge hasn’t been able to train much, coming off the back of an injury. On the subject of Sterling, he says: “My relationship with Rasheem is very strong and never once has he said he wants to leave.” He adds that “I know Raheem very well” and says that he plans to carry on his development. “He’s a very strong character,” concludes Rodgers. “There is no way I ever thought of leaving him out today.” |
| Updated at 12.40pm BST | Updated at 12.40pm BST |
| 12.28pm BST12:28 | 12.28pm BST12:28 |
| 12.24pm BST12:24 | 12.24pm BST12:24 |
| 12.19pm BST12:19 | 12.19pm BST12:19 |
| Arsene Wenger speaks ... | Arsene Wenger speaks ... |
| Asked about his team’s current winning streak by BT Sport’s resident smoothie Des Kelly, the Arsenal manager says: “It’s the moment for us to continue this run and our focus has to be on the next game.” Of his team’s approach to this afternoon’s game, he says that “against a team who are particularly good on the counter-attack we have to find a good balance between attacking and defending”. And on his selection, specifically the omission of Danny Welbeck, he reveals: “I had a little apprehension for Danny on his knee, but it looked fine in training yesterday. I have included an extra midfielder to help with our defence.” | Asked about his team’s current winning streak by BT Sport’s resident smoothie Des Kelly, the Arsenal manager says: “It’s the moment for us to continue this run and our focus has to be on the next game.” Of his team’s approach to this afternoon’s game, he says that “against a team who are particularly good on the counter-attack we have to find a good balance between attacking and defending”. And on his selection, specifically the omission of Danny Welbeck, he reveals: “I had a little apprehension for Danny on his knee, but it looked fine in training yesterday. I have included an extra midfielder to help with our defence.” |
| 12.14pm BST12:14 | 12.14pm BST12:14 |
| 12.07pm BST12:07 | 12.07pm BST12:07 |
| Arsenal v Liverpool line-ups | Arsenal v Liverpool line-ups |
| Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Sanchez, Giroud. | Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Sanchez, Giroud. |
| Subs: Gibbs, Gabriel, Rosicky, Walcott, Flamini, Welbeck, Macey. | Subs: Gibbs, Gabriel, Rosicky, Walcott, Flamini, Welbeck, Macey. |
| Liverpool: Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Henderson, Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Markovic, Sterling, Coutinho. | Liverpool: Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Henderson, Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Markovic, Sterling, Coutinho. |
| Subs: Jones, Johnson, Lovren, Sturridge, Manquillo, Borini, Brannagan. | Subs: Jones, Johnson, Lovren, Sturridge, Manquillo, Borini, Brannagan. |
| Referee: Anthony Taylor (England) | Referee: Anthony Taylor (England) |
| 12.04pm BST12:04 | 12.04pm BST12:04 |
| Arsenal v Liverpool team news | Arsenal v Liverpool team news |
| Liverpool contract rebel Raheem Sterling starts in attack against Arsenal. Daniel Sturridge, who missed England duty over the international break, is on the bench, but Adam Lallana misses out and Kolo Toure comes into the Liverpool defence for Skrtel. For Arsenal, Mesut Ozil returns from illness to start, but England forward Theo Walcott is again a substitute along with Danny Welbeck, who has been carrying a knee injury. Teenage goalkeeper Matt Macey replaces Wojciech Szczesny, who has a rib injury, on the Arsenal bench. | Liverpool contract rebel Raheem Sterling starts in attack against Arsenal. Daniel Sturridge, who missed England duty over the international break, is on the bench, but Adam Lallana misses out and Kolo Toure comes into the Liverpool defence for Skrtel. For Arsenal, Mesut Ozil returns from illness to start, but England forward Theo Walcott is again a substitute along with Danny Welbeck, who has been carrying a knee injury. Teenage goalkeeper Matt Macey replaces Wojciech Szczesny, who has a rib injury, on the Arsenal bench. |
| 11.59am BST11:59 | 11.59am BST11:59 |
| That’s an interesting Liverpool selection. A bit midfield heavy, it could be argued, with no fewer than - I make it – seven midfielders numbered among the 10 outfield players! It will intriguing to see how they line up. I’ll have the full line-ups with substitutes very shortly, but remember that Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel are both sitting this one out on the naughty step for stamping offences. | That’s an interesting Liverpool selection. A bit midfield heavy, it could be argued, with no fewer than - I make it – seven midfielders numbered among the 10 outfield players! It will intriguing to see how they line up. I’ll have the full line-ups with substitutes very shortly, but remember that Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel are both sitting this one out on the naughty step for stamping offences. |
| Updated at 12.13pm BST | Updated at 12.13pm BST |
| 11.51am BST11:51 | 11.51am BST11:51 |
| Confirmed #LFC team v @Arsenal: Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Sterling | Confirmed #LFC team v @Arsenal: Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Sterling |
| 11.50am BST11:50 | 11.50am BST11:50 |
| #Arsenal team to play Liverpool: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud #AFCvLFC | #Arsenal team to play Liverpool: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud #AFCvLFC |
| 11.20am BST11:20 | 11.20am BST11:20 |
| Raheem Sterling has been hogging the headlines ... | Raheem Sterling has been hogging the headlines ... |
| The Liverpool midfielder’s reluctance to ink a new and improved deal with his employers has become a source of irritation for many of the club’s supporters and the lengthy interview he gave the BBC in a bid to justify his indecision has been the intriguing story of an otherwise slow end to the international break. Despite his dithering, Raheem Sterling will start against Arsenal today and our man on the Merseyside beat, Andy Hunter, has been pondering the 20-year-old’s situation in his match preview, which you can read by clicking on this link. | The Liverpool midfielder’s reluctance to ink a new and improved deal with his employers has become a source of irritation for many of the club’s supporters and the lengthy interview he gave the BBC in a bid to justify his indecision has been the intriguing story of an otherwise slow end to the international break. Despite his dithering, Raheem Sterling will start against Arsenal today and our man on the Merseyside beat, Andy Hunter, has been pondering the 20-year-old’s situation in his match preview, which you can read by clicking on this link. |
| 11.20am BST11:20 | 11.20am BST11:20 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| Happy Easter one and all. After a seemingly interminable international break, our beady gaze returns to the Premier League this weekend. Arsenal entertain Liverpool at the Emirates in what ought to be a fascinating Easter curtain-raiser, where the visitors could do with a win to sustain their challenge on fourth place and the accompany tilt at next season’s Champions League that comes with it. A win for the Gunners will move them into second place, two points ahead of Manchester City and four behind a Chelsea side that will have played two games fewer by the time this contest ends. Kick-off is at 12.45pm (BST), but tune in an hour or so before then for all the team news and build-up in north London. | Happy Easter one and all. After a seemingly interminable international break, our beady gaze returns to the Premier League this weekend. Arsenal entertain Liverpool at the Emirates in what ought to be a fascinating Easter curtain-raiser, where the visitors could do with a win to sustain their challenge on fourth place and the accompany tilt at next season’s Champions League that comes with it. A win for the Gunners will move them into second place, two points ahead of Manchester City and four behind a Chelsea side that will have played two games fewer by the time this contest ends. Kick-off is at 12.45pm (BST), but tune in an hour or so before then for all the team news and build-up in north London. |