Liverpool’s return to form against Arsenal suggests they could end a difficult season at the top | Football news

“I’m trying to remember the last time I saw Liverpool play like this,” he said. Sky Sports’ Gary Neville as Jurgen Klopp’s team, already three goals ahead of Arsenal, rushed forward in search of another.

There have been some good performances in the midst of his recession this season. Games where they deserved more than they got. But they have rarely played like this. Rampant, ruthless, relentless. It was Liverpool as we know them best.

The goals came in a frenzied 18-minute stretch in the second half, with substitute Diogo Jota scoring on either side of a Mohamed Salah goal. But Arsenal were lucky to be level the entire time they were and were also lucky that Liverpool didn’t punish them further.

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They certainly tried.

Klopp’s team have the Champions League quarter-finals away against Real Madrid in three days, but you wouldn’t have guessed it from the way Salah and Sadio Mane advanced in the closing seconds of injury time, eager for plus.

Little thought was given to conserving energy and it is when Liverpool are in this kind of frame of mind, following their instincts rather than giving in to inhibition, that it is most lethal.

The victory is huge in the context of the fight in the top four. Chelsea’s shocking loss to West Brom means Liverpool have narrowed the gap with the Champions League spots to just two points. But it’s even bigger in terms of what it could do for them psychologically.

Liverpool have reminded us all of what they look like in their brutal prime, but more importantly, they have reminded themselves that they are still capable of reaching those levels.

“Even in some of the games we lost, we were not bad, but tonight the package was extremely good and that’s what you need,” said a beaming Klopp. Sky sports after. “Very good,” was his assessment of the performance. “A first-rate game,” he added.

Klopp looked like a man who had just met an old friend. “Our counterattack was at the highest level,” he said, still smiling. “In general, the defense of the whole team looked exactly as it should be,” he added.

In fact, it wasn’t just the way Liverpool opened up Arsenal that was so impressive. It was the intensity of his work off the ball and the resistance of his patched defensive line. Liverpool dominated the entire pitch. They looked like champions again.

Arsenal could barely put a glove on them, as Neville put it. In fact, Liverpool restricted them to just three shots on goal over the course of 90 minutes. It is Arsenal’s second-lowest total in a Premier League game since the 2010/11 season, according to Opta.

Following their victories over RB Leipzig and Wolves before the international break, Liverpool have won three games in a row for the first time since October.

It’s a statistic that underscores the extent of his inconsistency this season and demands a degree of caution when predicting where he will go next season.

But there is a sense that things are finally falling into place, even if there are still no long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson.

“It’s the first time this season, practically, when, aside from long-term injuries, all the guys are in good shape, and Really fit, far enough from injury and in great shape, “Klopp said.” We will use that and hope it helps us. “

Saturday’s game showed that it already is.

Jota wasn’t talked about as much as Liverpool’s defensive absences during his time on the bench, but he had scored nine goals in 15 Premier League and Champions League games prior to his injury and his return of goals highlights how much he did. lost.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – is Trent Alexander-Arnold, too, was missed, but his striking performance against Arsenal suggests that his omission from the England team could work to the benefit of Liverpool.

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There was no self-pity, just increased determination, as evidenced by his moment of fist celebration after his brilliant cross was directed home by Jota for the opening goal.

The midfield has been significantly improved with the return of Fabinho, who has been pushed back to his favorite position thanks to the appearance of Nat Phillips alongside Ozan Kabak.

If that central defense association is really an area of ​​weakness, then Liverpool certainly did a good job of hiding it against Arsenal. Fabinho offers a lot of protection after all.

The Brazilian, outstanding in midfield against RB Leipzig and the Wolves, was equally impressive against Arsenal. “The best player on the field,” Neville said. He made twice as many tackles as any Liverpool player and his clever layout helped them too.

Klopp also mentioned others.

Naby Keita failed to come off the bench at Emirates Stadium, but is ready to make an impact after an injury-stricken season, according to Klopp. The Liverpool manager said the same about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Liverpool will have to overcome tougher opposition than this “seedy” Arsenal in the coming weeks, of course, starting against Real Madrid on Tuesday night. But suddenly it seems like a season of strife could end on a high note. Liverpool come back? It certainly looked like this on Saturday night.