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Liverpool took three hugely important points in the battle to reach the top four in the Premier League. Martin Ødegaard and Arsenal are criticized.
ARSENAL – LIVERPOOL 0-3:
Liverpool were a couple of levels better than Arsenal on Saturday night and took an important 3-0 win over the London club.
Substitute Jota put Liverpool ahead midway through the second half after a beautiful cross from Alexander-Arnold. Just a few minutes later, an icy Salah made it 2-0.
Just under ten minutes before the big game, Jota put his second of the afternoon, when he took advantage of the mess in the defense of Arsenal.
The victory means Liverpool are now in fifth place, and just two points behind Chelsea in important fourth place in Champions League matches next season.
– It was very important. “I think in higher positions in the table, we have to do the work of winning all the games until the end of the season,” a happy Jota tells Sky Sports after the game.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are in ninth place after a disappointing match, and have nine points to fourth with eight Premier League season games to go.
Ødegaard receives criticism
Arsenal fought hard in both rounds on Saturday night, and were at times pushed deep into their own half of the field by a much more dangerous Liverpool. Initially, the London club took only one shot on goal.
– Arsenal will be run over. This first round is not going to be something Mikel Arteta likes. So far they are struggling, Gary Neville said on the Sky Sport broadcast.
Nor in the TV 2 Premier League studio were they impressed with what Arsenal delivered.
– At 17 minutes, Arsenal is destroyed by Liverpool. For the next ten minutes, Arsenal will not be able to leave their own half of the field. It must be extremely disappointing for Arteta, said Erik Thorstvedt.
Martin Ødegaard was recently named Arsenal’s best player in March, but in Saturday’s game against Liverpool, Ødegaard did not show his best side.
The 22-year-old had no easy working conditions due to his offensive midfielder role when Arsenal often went very deep, but Trevor Morley in the TV 2 Premier League studio was unimpressed by what Ødegaard showed.
– Sorry, but no, not good enough. He is not involved in the fight, but he is one of the few who is trying to fight, but there are some men against boys right now, Trevor Morley said during the break.
– Things are spreading and Martin Ødegaard is not a very physical player. He too must take on his share of the job, but right now Liverpool are better off everywhere, Erik Thorstvedt thought.
Liverpool moved on
It was Liverpool who seemed by far the most dangerous team in the first half. Klopp’s men clearly had the most of the ball, while Arsenal often had to defend themselves in their own half of the field.
However, the pressure from Liverpool did not generate great chances. Milner and Fabinho fired a shot after about a quarter of an hour of play, but Leno in the Arsenal cage had decent control.
However, Firmino made a spectacular stop. Robertson passed the ball to the Brazilian forward, who lowered the ball to the corner of the penalty area. From there, Firmino narrowed, but the ball spun just outside the far corner.
Milner also had a great opportunity five minutes later. Alexander-Arnold hit the midfielder 45 degrees, who was quite alone at about 14 meters. Milner opted to shoot into the far corner, but the attempt went outside.
Ødegaard and Arsenal had little to line up with offensively in the first half, and the red jerseys stood out for just one finish during the first 45 minutes.
Furthermore, Arsenal lost Kieran Tierney just before the break, when the important left-back had to be replaced due to injury.
Liverpool got the reward
Liverpool were the best team in the first half, but they didn’t pay off in terms of goals. It was going to be different in the second half.
After 64 minutes, Alexander-Arnold came in from the right, feinted and sped over the lopsided defender to make it 1 – 0, giving Jota the lead. Alexander-Arnold, who was beaten by the previous England national team, cheered uncontrollably after the goal.
Only four minutes later it was left for Liverpool. Thiago hit a good stick to Salah, who went to the field and went down to the corner of the penalty area. From there, he placed the icy ball between the legs of Arsenal goalkeeper Leno, and it was 2-0 at Liverpool.
In the 74th minute, Salah arrived alone with Leno, but this time the Egyptian failed to outwit the goalkeeper, who also managed to launch himself over the return he had to give.
In the 82nd minute, Jota scored the second of the night, sending Liverpool up 3-0. The Portuguese put the ball into the goal after Arsenal spoiled it outside their own area.
– Watch this. It is a team that is not connected, said Kasper Wikestad when Liverpool scored.
In extra time, Liverpool had two adventurous chances, but finished 3-0 against Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday night.
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