Football News: Arsenal Vs Liverpool: A Liverpool perspective

Image from: freelargeimages.com

Arsenal are the in form team at the minute, we are decidedly out of form, so this always promised to be a tough game. The result was not in anyway undeserved I think Arsenal, overall, played better, created better chances, and deservedly won. We had spells were we looked very good, but 10 minutes of positive play per half is rarely enough to win you football games. The fortunes of the teams look the polar opposite of what they were last season and, if we don’t find a solution to this soon, we are going to be in serious trouble this season.

Arsenal

They looked like they had a clear idea in mind, were full of confidence, and were defensively solid, and that was the big difference. Gabriel but, in particular, Saliba made things difficult for us and stopped us having more attacking threat. Partey was excellent and constantly broke up play but in general they were aggressive in the press and that meant we were under pressure and it was pressure we did not handle well. Their movement and interchangeable nature of their front line made things tough for us and, when they hit on the break, always looked threatening. They were also helped out by a soft penalty, but it’s hard to feel too hard done by because they deserved the win.

Liverpool

Alisson – Made a few very good saves second half and could not really be faulted for their goals. Not at his absolute best but certainly played well.

Tsimikas – Did not make any impact going forward, also did not defend that well. Saka was pretty lively all game and he struggled to deal with it. Positionally he seemed a bit all over the place, Robertson is missed.

TAA – was pilloried again but did not think he did much wrong. His distribution is below his usual standards but he was OK. Injury seemed to end his game early.

Van Dijk – another poor game, did not seem assured at all, was caught up the pitch for their second goal. The biggest issue is his calmness, which helps steady the backline, seems to have betrayed him. His relaxed attitude is also not helping us at the moment, he needs some fire in his belly.

Matip – all over the place at times just very unsure of himself. Distribution poor, defending haphazard, like most of the team looks off it.

Henderson – the mind is willing but the body is not what it was. He does not have the energy or intensity anymore and it means that his influence is reduced. I thought he was at fault for their second goal.

Thiago – he was constantly…