Liverpool were left red-faced after losing 3-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool travelled to the Capital in high spirits following a fantastic run of form which has seen the Reds climb to the summit of the Premier League table heading into February.
With the possibility of extending their five-point lead over Arsenal, Liverpool knew they had to be at their best, or risk allowing Mikel Arteta’s side clawing a way closer to top spot.
To say it wasn’t Liverpool’s day would be putting things mildly. In fact, the visiting Reds didn’t record a shot on target until the second half – and it was their only effort on goal.
Bukayo Saka put the hosts ahead inside 14 minutes, as he fired into an open net after Alisson’s initial save of Kai Havertz’s shot. Not for the first time this season, Liverpool found themselves a goal down in the first half.
Gunners’ centre-half Gabriel has been in fine goal-scoring form as of recent weeks – and it would be the Brazilian defender to score again in this fixture. Just this time it was for Liverpool. A bizarre own-goal courtesy of Luis Diaz’s resilience to advance closer to goal. The scoreline, somehow, was 1-1 heading into half-time.
They may have rode on good luck in the first half, but Liverpool weren’t able to replicate those fortunes in the second. Gabriel Martinelli’s strike put the hosts in front for the second time in the match.
The goal itself was a calamitous, somewhat comedic error from Liverpool. Two of Liverpool’s most reliable players, Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, combined to create a circus-worthy mix-up leading to Martinelli’s eventual open goal.
They are world class players, but also human. And today they proved they were human. Alisson can be culpable for the occasional howler every now and then, but they’re usually once a season. At least it’s out of the way.
Ibrahima Konate was sent off for a second bookable offence late on in the match, leaving Liverpool 2-1 down and a man down chasing a goal.
But the encounter was finished off in stoppage time as Leandro Trossard scored Arsenal’s third to give the Gunners a 3-1 win.
It’s Liverpool’s first domestic defeat since losing 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in North London back in September. It’s been a phenomenal season so far, but just not at the races today.
Win and lose, win and learn. Liverpool remain top of the Premier League table, for now. Manchester City have two games in hand – if they win them both they’re one point clear at the top.
The Reds have a week to prepare for the next match as they face Burnley at Anfield. Kick-off is at 3pm on Saturday, 10 February.
Arsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Kiwior 46), Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice, Saka (Nelson 79), Havertz, Martinelli (Trossard 74).
Liverpool team: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (Robertson 58), Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez (Thiago 85), Gravenberch (Elliott 58), Mac Allister, Jones, Jota, Gakpo (Nunez 58), Diaz.
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