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Once again Liverpool have lost on penalties, just as they lost to Man City in the Super Bowl a year ago. A series of mistakes by Jurgen Klopp was the reason for this failure, as well as the lack of preparation for the Merseyside season. There is still time before the start of the championship, we can work on the mistakes, but for now Arsenal are happy to show how they can face the best team in England last season on a level playing field. Obviously, the Reds have given up remarkably, only their fighting spirit remained, which was not enough.
From the first minutes, the nominees have wanted to show their desire to beat Arsenal and take revenge for the defeat in July this year. First, Salah struck a dangerous blow, then van Dijk sent the ball into the net after a cross from the free kick, the referees saw an offside position and the goal was not counted. Milner also nearly hit the target at close range. Klopp’s charges looked good, it seemed they took the initiative into their own hands and feet, and would never hand it over to the “gunners.”
But Arteta and his team quickly caught the Lersisides at the first mistake: They shouldn’t be allowed to beat Aubameyang. Pierre-Emerick took advantage of a fresh pass from Saka and sliced the ball into the far corner along an astonishing trajectory, Alisson had no chance to receive the shell. Aubameyang did everything perfectly.
This quick goal destabilized the “reds”. A certain kind of uncertainty and nervousness began to be seen in them, free zones appeared in front of the penalty area, Nketia shoots twice as reliably from a medium distance (from a similar position from which Aubameyang scored). Alisson threw the first blow, the second lacked a bit of precision.
Liverpool continued to have a playing and territorial advantage, but it was more about ball control for control. It took a long time to create something really dangerous. But in “Arsenal” there were sharper combinations, interesting high-speed attacks.
Closer to halftime, the game turned slimy, forceful, the Merseysides trying to include high pressure, while charging in a saturated and organized defense. “Gunners” sat deeper, and then imposed a tighter game on the opponent, only occasionally were there long shots on Martinez’s goal, although all turned out to be inaccurate. Then, through the flanks, “Liverpool” tried to deliver the ball, again, with all the canopies and lumbago in the penalty area commanding the defenders. In the first half, Klopp’s team did not have a single shot on goal from the Londoners.
The “Reds” showed a good passing game, often shifting the emphasis of the attacks from flank to flank, trying to confuse the opponent, but the Gunners were not confused. Then the leaders of “Liverpool” began to take over the game, Firmino made a good slalom pass, but the Brazilian’s kick was again inaccurate. We tried to attack Salah, Mane, Milner, they lacked a bit, be it luck or perseverance. In the 56th minute, Manet could not finalize a one-on-one exit with Martínez, how and why? He’s probably not in shape yet, this is the only explanation, as Sadio easily realized all those moments last season.
And yet Lersiside leveled the score. The attack went through the middle, literally pushed by the defense of Salah and Minamino, the defenders interrupted the pass of the Japanese, but the ball returned to Minamino’s possession and he fired from an advantageous position. The “Arsenal” defense is not at fault here, probably the pressure of the affected opponent, and hardly anyone could have come out of the chaotic fight.
The favorite could not develop his advantage. Once again, Mane failed to beat Martinez one-on-one, and the “red” defense missed several attacks. The end of the match turned out to be more cautious, although “Arsenal” could very well lead the matter to victory in regulation time – Maitland-Niles did not notice his timing. It is logical that it was a penalty shootout.
Arteta’s players didn’t make a single mistake: Nelson, Maitland-Niles, Cedric, Louis and Aubameyang all scored from the “spot.” And “Liverpool” made a mistake: young striker Rian Brewster hit the crossbar. Interestingly, Klopp released him in the final minutes just for the penalty spot.
The reigning champion of England seemed unconvincing and even somewhat uncomfortable. It is true that the Cup winner did not show anything supernatural either, but because of his character and organization he deserved this 16th Super Cup in his history. Only Man United has more (21 trophies). Liverpool have 15 victories in the tournament.
England Super Cup 2020
Stadium: Wembley
Chief Referee: Andre Marriner
Arsenal London – Liverpool 1: 1 (5: 4 Pen)
Goals: Obameyang 12 – Minamino 73
Arsenal: Martínez – Holding, David Luis, Tierney (Kolashinac 82) – Bellerin (Soares 58), Elneni, Jaka, Maitland Niles – Saka (Willock 82), Nketia (Nelson 82), Aubameyang.
“Liverpool”: Alisson – Williams (Minamino 59), Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson – Milner (Keita 59), Fabinho (Jones 82), Wijnaldum (Brewster 90 + 2) – Salah, Firmino (Jones 83), Mane.
Warnings: Milner 57
