Liverpool takes the Emirates and is already one point behind City

Not even the absence of Mohamed Salah from the starting eleven prevented Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool from prolonging their extraordinary career in the Premier League and being one point behind the leader Manchester City after surrendering to an Arsenal that had put them in trouble in the first part but who lacked a goal (0-2).

Two blows from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino in the second half certified the ninth consecutive win for the ‘reds’, who have been gradually reducing a deficit of eleven points in the last two months and, with nine games to go, City-Liverpool on April 10 at the Etihad Stadium is presented as a key match for the definition of the title.

Brutal pulse in the middle

The Emirates witnessed an exciting midfield battle as both teams battled at a brutal pace for every inch of the pitch. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal gained possession as the minutes progressed, he moved the ball and an aggressive pressure in the recovery gave Liverpool no respite.

Gabriel Martinelli carried the weight of the ‘Gunner’ attack with a superb performance and headed Trent Alexander-Arnold with his quality down the left flank.

But, apart from Virgil van Dijk’s header from a corner taken by Aaron Ramsdale in the second minute, there were no shots between the three posts in the first half. Arsenal did not know how to translate their dominance and their arrivals into clear occasions and Liverpool did not forgive after the break.

Alisson, providential

Already in the first minute of the second half, Sadio Mané had a goal disallowed for offside. Martinelli continued to wreak havoc with a spectacular run to the baseline and a bad pass back from Thiago Alcántara gave way to a very clear chance for Arsenal, but Alisson, providential, first covered the space for Alexandre Laczaette to let Martin pass Odegaard, whose shot was repelled by the Brazilian goalkeeper outside his goal (51′).

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Jota had gone unnoticed but emerged when Salah, a substitute due to a sore foot that led to his being substituted on Saturday against Brighton, was ready on the wing to replace him.

I sign it

Klopp made the change and, after a long play in which Salah was able to score, Andy Robertson stole a ball down his flank and his killer pass from the by-line pushed Firmino into the net on goal (62′).

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The ‘gunners’ put an end to five wins in a row (they haven’t lost since Liverpool beat them on January 20, also 0-2 at the Emirates in the second leg of the League Cup semi-finals) but remain fourth with one point advantage and two games less played than Manchester United.