You could call it flawed perfection, at least on one side. Arsenal also remain at the top of the league with a home winning streak, but only after one of those games that only got richer from mistake after mistake. Some could include Jurgen Klopp’s refereeing and tactical decisions. What was beyond doubt was that Mikel Arteta’s side ultimately made far fewer mistakes than Liverpool, and generally looked a much better team, to fully deserve a 3-2 win. It means Arsenal can still believe they will challenge for the title, with eight wins from nine and this, at least in theory, their biggest win to date.
Now there is only the question of whether a win against Liverpool means the same, because Klopp has to face whether there is more wrong with this team than formation or form. For Liverpool, far from imperfect perfection, it’s a perfect storm of problems. Something feels broken, disconnected, and the most annoying thing is the questions that will inevitably arise in Klopp’s answers, if he even knows how to answer them.
His approach has served to completely neutralize his most powerful attack in Mohamed Salah, who was then withdrawn in a decision that seemed inevitable rather than surprising. Behind him, Trent Alexander-Arnold had another poor defensive performance, albeit accompanied by the explanation that he was indeed injured. He also left.
Arsenal held their own throughout the game. That was another such amazing thing about the win. Arsenal had such a clear idea of what they were doing, to the point that it encouraged perseverance, belief and conviction. It meant they really should have won by more. Liverpool had the obvious doubt of not really knowing what they were in for. This included the basics of his game, right down to pressing.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were seemingly able to walk through Liverpool’s midfield unchallenged for the pace-setting opener, leaving the Norwegian with all the space he wanted to pick out a targeted pass. This ensured that his ball was inevitably accurate, allowing Martinelli to so easily get to it, and around Alexander-Arnold, to finish strongly.
This is one of the most distinguishable problems with Liverpool right now. So many different parts of the team seem disconnected, in a way that hasn’t been the case with Klopp’s fully functioning unit over the past half-decade.
Gabriel Martinelli celebrates Arsenal’s goal
(Action footage via Reuters)
With Salah ineffectively pushed to flank in the style of a 1950s full-back, still leaving Alexander-Arnold open but having the double effect of limiting him as a striker, it was perhaps no surprise that Liverpool only had to skip the center to score. . The midfield is like a part of another team. Alexander-Arnold at least made better use of his delivery with a dropped ball over the top, the relentless Luis Díaz ran onto it while Núñez went the other way. The forward then stayed focused with a classic forward finish, slotting the ball past Aaron Ramsdale.
The game, however, was still not taking hold. Liverpool were still not plugging the gaps. Minutes later a huge one appeared from his own corner.
Jesus took it from the edge of the Arsenal box before combining that signature gallop with those dizzying feet, for Martinelli to go one better. He outplayed Alexander-Arnold again, this time checking again in a way that looked too easy for this level. He gave Saka an even easier finish, tapping the ball in from a yard out.
It was a shock but not a surprise that Alexander-Arnold had pulled out then, even if some eyebrows were raised when news broke that it was about his ankle rather than his performance. It didn’t look like it was at its best, but it didn’t feel like it was due to injury. It is yet another sign of how Klopp now needs to rethink everything, as he underlined when Salah followed him to the bench.
This at one time would have been inconceivable, but here it was completely understandable. Salah, incredibly, doesn’t seem to have an obvious position in this setup. He was on the pitch but still watching as Liverpool equalized again, Diogo Jota this time echoing Odegaard with his own pass to Firmino. The Brazilian finished well.
Bukayo Saka celebrates Arsenal’s second goal
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
It was another Firmino goal against Arsenal, as well as another goal this season, as he forms one of the few consistent elements of Liverpool’s season. This is all the more evident as not too long ago it looked like he would be the first of the famous trio to leave. He is currently the only thing keeping Liverpool going.
Here he couldn’t keep the rest of the team at his level.
Arsenal slowly began to overwhelm Klopp’s team. There had been a series of moves, chances and fights before one of them finally resulted in a break. This was somewhat fortunate as Michael Oliver pointed to the spot for a fairly innocuous touch from Thiago on Jesus.
Arsenal could say they had a decision to make. The problem is Liverpool would say the same. All that was relevant here was that Saka had the last word. For now, it will cause a great deal of discussion about this Liverpool.
Next up is Manchester City. They, and Arsenal, could do badly with a very different performance to this, for very different reasons.