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The first 10-15 minutes were pretty tough, let’s be honest. None of the Liverpool players seemed to be able to pass the ball, and outside of Sadio Mane, no one seemed to be able to dribble either. Slowly, the Reds began to improve and generated some solid opportunities. Still, it felt like another game where Liverpool would play well, but leave points. Enter Diogo Jota. The Portuegues dynamo came in and contributed instantly, opening the game and causing an explosion of goals for Liverpool.
Join us as we try to separate the narrative from the reality of the match and how it all ended in the end.
Winners
Diogo Jota
When Jota returned from his long-term injury, I warned him not to expect an immediate return to his hot form. Boy, was I wrong, and gladly. Since returning, he has scored 3 goals and added an assist for Liverpool, and also scored 3 times while in international service for Portugal. He scored just 3 minutes after entering the game today, finding a small gap between defenders to power a header from a delicious Trent Alexander-Arnold cross. Jota scored a second goal with a late charge into the box, showing his ability to know how to get to the right place at the right time.
Former England international Trent Alexander-Arnold
For anyone paying attention, Trent had recovered the month before the international hiatus. Thanks to being turned down by Gareth Southgate for a call, Trent looked well rested and eager to show how wrong his international manager was. Trent appeared everywhere, slashing and driving balls with pinpoint precision throughout the game. He provided 4 key passes and threw 3 accurate crosses. He also did some very dynamic runs from his right-back position, going into great attack points. Alexander-Arnold also did not shirk his defensive duties and kept Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang calm throughout the game.
Fabinho
The Brazilian midfielder continues to show how excellent he is in a midfielder position. He disrupted play and quelled the attacks before they could become a danger to the baseline. He led the team with 6 tackles. He also played some great diagonals from deep and hit the ball that led to Mohamed Salah’s goal. With Fabinho back anchoring the midfield, the team’s balance looks much better.
Ozan kabak
The Turkish defender has been playing quietly well after a shaky first couple of games. He made a couple of really big plays to clean things up defensively and he looks a lot more composed. He’s also showing his confidence in the ball, starting to spray it at attackers. Kabak completed 4 of 8 long ball attempts, helping to stretch the field for Liverpool.
Alisson’s mustache
It was a thing a beauty
Losers
Mike arteta
The one from La Masia Mourinho prepared his side so that it would be difficult to break, but he did not seem to have much idea of what to do with the ball against him. His team only managed three shots in the entire game, and he rarely seemed to threaten. Once they gave up the first goal, their Arsenal side simply collapsed, showing nothing of the fight that had them regain a point after being three goals against West Ham in the final game before the international break.
Sadio Mane scoring a goal
Sadio was spectacular at dribbling, racing in large areas and hitting two shots at the net. Unfortunately, Mane once again couldn’t find the back of the net. He had a header deflected to the goalkeeper’s arms, another plummeting header somehow slid off his forehead from close range and hit a late effort at a defender. He hasn’t scored in the league since late January. He still does a great job, but hopefully he can start contributing a goal or two sooner rather than later.
Dissecting the narrative
This season is just weird. Liverpool seemed to be done and dusted in the race for the top 4 after a terrible run of form, but none of the teams ahead of them seem to capitalize on either. Liverpool are now just two points behind Chelsea in fourth place, and are now even in games. West Ham are even with Liverpool, and the Spurs are one point behind, both playing this week to keep up. Everton are 3 points behind, but have two games in hand. It’s going to be a wild race for fourth place.
What Happens Next?
Liverpool are hoping to build on their strong away form with a trip to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday. They then return to their home of horrors to face Aston Villa at Anfield next Saturday.
