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Liverpool warmed up for Real Madrid by dismantling Arsenal in a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.
With a trip to the Bernabéu on Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with the preparations for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Saturday night.
The Reds scored three goals in the second half to put their hosts to the test after dominating without reward before the break.
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Diogo Jota broke the deadlock with a header shortly after the hour, after being introduced by left-back Andy Robertson three minutes earlier.
Mo Salah scored a sumptuous second as Arsenal’s heads fell before Jota capitalized on a more relaxed defense to properly underline Liverpool’s dominance.
Manchester City’s victory at Leicester earlier in the day meant Liverpool’s hopes of retaining their title are now mathematically terminated after a season of mixed performances, poor results and terrible injury problems.
But Klopp’s team was in their prime, dominating an Arsenal side lacking several of their own key players to secure victory.
This was Mikel Arteta’s 50th Premier League match in charge of Arsenal and before the match he asked the Gunners to take the match to Liverpool, having won the corresponding match last year with a mixture of cunning, guts and luck. .
But Liverpool were on top from the start as the visitors showed their class, specifically in midfield where Thiago and Fabinho were in their prime.
Arsenal greatly missed their injured quartet of David Luiz, Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, who would likely have started what would turn out to be an irritating night for the FA Cup champions.
James Milner came in on the Liverpool side and dragged an early shot, as did Fabinho.
Sadio Mane then saw a stopped header before conceding again Roberto Firmino fired just off goal, with the home team unable to hold the ball for a significant period of time.
Milner should have scored when he was picked free on the edge of the penalty area, but sent his effort out, while Arsenal’s night was summed up when Kieran Tierney limped off injured just before half-time.
The second half would start in a similar fashion with Liverpool again as the dominant force. Arteta reacted by introducing Mohamed Elneny in place of the ineffective Dani Ceballos.
But it would be Liverpool’s first upset to be inspired as Jota replaced Andrew Robertson shortly after the hour and broke the deadlock with his first chance.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had been in the news since failing to make the cut for Gareth Southgate’s England squad, threw a precise cross that was directed home by Jota when the Reds finally made their dominance pay.
The lead would be doubled soon after, Salah coldly wedged through Bernd Leno’s legs after proving he was too strong for Gabriel Magalhaes.
Salah almost had a second when he latched on to a pass that snapped Thiago’s defense, with Leno this time staying big and blocking the shot.
Jota turned home in the third after Gabriel had gifted Liverpool possession with an errant pass from within his own area.
A simple victory for Klopp’s men saw them move within two points of the top four, while Arsenal’s waning hopes of securing European qualification through their league position took another hit.
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