LIVERPOOL 4-0 ARSENAL: MATCH REVIEW

Liverpool thrashed Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield last night as they showed the perfect reaction to defeat at West Ham. Goals from Mané, Jota, Salah and substitute Minamino, sealed a comfortable victory against an Arsenal side who were unbeaten in ten games beforehand. We pick the bones out of the match.

You can find player ratings from the game here:

https://made4liverpool.com/2021/11/20/player-ratings-liverpool-4-0-arsenal/

° Flat start. It was an uncharacteristically slow start by the Reds as they didn’t really create anything of note in the opening 25 minutes. It was very cagey, with both sides wary of giving away chances on the counter. It’s the start you’d expect straight after an international break, and the lethargy spread through to the terraces.

° Flash point. After the half hour mark, the two managers clashed on the touchline and that seemed to wake everyone up. The touch paper was lit and Liverpool started clicking through the gears as Salah and Trent were denied by an inspired Ramsdale before the pressure finally told with Mané opening the scoring.

° The second half. Whatever was said at halftime worked a treat, as the players came out intent on doing damage. The front three got more involved and combined to great effect as they took the game away from Arteta’s men. The press, the quality, the work rate, were all a joy to watch. Arsenal were left ‘seeing red blurs’.

° The press. The Reds pressed high from the off, with the visitors’ curious decision to keep playing out from the back, ruthlessly punished second half. Arsenal were forced to cough up possession endlessly, with Tavares’ error leading to Jota making it 2-0. Ox and Thiago especially, got through a lot of work.

° That third goal. It summed up the second half. From Alisson drawing Arsenal in to press him, and then clipping a pass to Tsimikas. To the Greek’s header to Jota, to Jota’s sensational header to put Mané in behind. To Mané leaving White for dead and racing clear, before unselfishly laying it on a plate for Salah. Dream team goal.

° Tsimikas continues to impress. The Greek was up against Saka yesterday and held his own. He continues to pose the question to the gaffer on whether he deserves to keep the shirt. Seven starts, seven clean sheets, certainly seem to suggest so. His delivery from out wide is currently a cut above Robertson’s. Good headache to have.

° The Fabinho & Thiago tandem. We got another glimpse of this budding midfield partnership as Fabinho and Thiago both started in midfield for just the 11th time. The Reds are unbeaten in those 11 games, winning 10 of them. The duo just fits well together and they dominated the midfield last night. Now it’s about staying fit.

° Minamino cameo. He came on and scored with his very first touch, at the Kop end too. It was a brilliant moment for him and the hope is that he’ll gain confidence from it. He’s scored 4 goals already this season, in just 7 appearances. With Bobby out and the games coming thick and fast with AFCON on the horizon, he will be needed.

° Morton PL debut. It was a lovely moment for the 19 year when he came on for Thiago to make his Premier League debut. He has been impressive in the League Cup this season, and didn’t look out of place here. With the injury situation as it is, it won’t be outside the realms of possibility to see him start against Porto on Wednesday.

° What’s next? Porto in the CL. You’d expect a rotated side especially considering the injuries we have at present. Klopp mentioned the prize money involved in winning Champions League games, and that explains his approach to that infamous Midjtylland game. It will be a strong-ish side, but with no risks taken.