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It’s amazing to think that Liverpool were able to completely dominate and dictate the pace of the match during their 3-1 win against Arsenal when you consider that the best in the business when it came to that specific trait wasn’t even on the bench. Anfield the last time. night.
While Thiago Alcantara’s absence was an immeasurable setback given his outstanding cameo against Chelsea just eight days earlier, the setback was by no means insurmountable.
As Jurgen Klopp has persistently eluded, it should not be forgotten that most of his squad rushed to the title last season in Thiago’s absence.
This marks a particularly terrifying notion given that Liverpool were able to wander through the gears against a determined Arsenal even without their new signing.
Mikel Arteta’s team, unsurprisingly, sat deep in the first half absorbing pressure and inviting the Reds to break them up, which would have been precisely the kind of game Thiago was acquired for.
Instead, Liverpool gave Arsenal such an emphatic, supreme soccer lesson that Arsenal must have been seeing circles at the end of proceedings.
It was the last forceful statement from Klopp’s Premier League champions that they are still, by far the team to beat in this division, as if a reminder were necessary anyway.
Impressive reds
Arsenal’s French forward Alexandre Lacazette (2R) chases Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Fabinho during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England, on September 28, 2020 (Photo by Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED FOR EDITORIAL USE. Not for use with unauthorized audio, video, data, match lists, club / league logos, or live services. Online use within the match is limited to 120 images. 40 additional images can be used in overtime. No video emulation. The use of social networks within the match is limited to 120 images. 40 additional images can be used in overtime. Not used in betting posts, games, or single club / league / player posts. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Without Thiago, Liverpool were forced to rely on the midfield excursions supplied by Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and Naby Keita and the aforementioned trio for sure, to say the least.
Fabinho was the main influencer and was imperious from start to finish. The Brazilian international produced a succession of tackles and interceptions that allowed Liverpool to pin Arsenal within their own half and dominate possession from start to finish.
He made more tackles (3) and interceptions (3) than any other Liverpool player.
The former Monaco star had excelled as a substitute center-back during the 2-0 win against Chelsea, but, returning to his role as a preferred defensive midfielder, he showed why he is best used in his more familiar role. It was unplayable.
Next to him was workhorse Georginio Wijnaldum, who selflessly pursued possession throughout the night and continually sacrificed himself for the improvement of the team.
His meticulous ability to blast gaps and gaps out of nowhere really is a trait no other Klopp player comes close to matching.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: (SUN OUT, THE SUN ON DOMING OUT) Naby Keita of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 28, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sports stadiums across the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, as the government’s social distancing laws prohibit fans within venues, causing games to be played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andrew Powell / Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The third and final member of Liverpool’s midfield trident was Naby Keita, who was making his fifth straight start to the Premier League, his best streak since joining in 2018.
Keita, along with Roberto Firmino, drove the Liverpool press out of possession and persistently pursued the Arsenal corps in an attempt to get the Reds back to the fore.
He made two shots of which neither was on target, he made a key pass, had a passing accuracy of 98%, higher than any other Liverpool player, took 56 touches, tried a dribble and made two crosses according to WhoScored.
The most revealing thing about Keita’s performance was its simplicity. There were no fireworks, nothing particularly flashy, but that was what was so effective for her team. She was fierce in her pressure, immaculate in her positional play and discipline and, most importantly, she kept the ball moving quickly. The momentum that has followed to regular starts is really paying off for him.
Thiago
As a unit, the midfield trident was exemplary both on and off the ball, dispelling any previous concerns that Liverpool would suffer without the presence of Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcântara.
Liverpool’s latest performance proved to Thiago that no one is guaranteed a place in Klopp’s midfield, not even series winners like the Spaniard.
The fact that one of the best midfielders in world football cannot be guaranteed a spot in Liverpool’s starting XI really shows an incredible picture of how far the club has come in such a short time.
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