LIVERPOOL – Liverpool entertaining Arsenal at Anfield Stadium, Tuesday (29/9/2020), early morning WIB. The grand match had been running fiercely since the referee blew the whistle to mark the start of the match.
Arsenal had pressed Liverpool at the start of the match, but the hosts were able to dominate the game not long ago. The Reds – Liverpool’s nickname – finally won 3-1 over Arsenal.
The course of the match
First round
Arsenal started the match well. The visitors tried to dominate possession, but failed to do so. Liverpool was able to dictate the game after entering the 10 minute mark.
Liverpool got their first golden opportunity in the 15th minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold penetrated the left side of Arsenal’s defense. Trent sent the ball into the box which was met with a fierce strike from Sadio Mane, but the Senegalese player’s efforts still failed to produce results.
The Reds got their second chance in a corner kick situation in the 21st minute. Trent almost got his name on the scoreboard after his shot changed direction for hitting Rob Holding. The ball hits the crossbar and Liverpool’s chances are shattered.
Liverpool’s aggressive game made Arsenal find gaps in the host’s defense. Through a quick counter-attack from the right side of the Liverpool defense, the ball is fed into the penalty box. Andy Robertson can block the ball, but it leads to Alexandre Lacazette who immediately breaks into the Liverpool goal.
However, Arsenal’s lead did not last long. Liverpool equalized in the 28th minute thanks to Mane’s action which maximized Mohamed Salah’s shot.
Liverpool even turned 2-1 ahead in the 34th minute. Robertson paid for his blunder with a goal after using Trent’s cross. The 2-1 advantage made Liverpool even more eager to attack Arsenal’s defense. However, Liverpool’s efforts to add to the advantage were fruitless until the first half ended.
Second round
Liverpool did not reduce their pressure in the second half. The Reds pounded Arsenal’s defense for the third goal. However, Arsenal also provided threats with their counterattacks.
Arsenal got a golden opportunity in the 59th minute when Lacazette escaped the offside trap. Lacazette, who lives opposite Alisson Becker, failed to score because his shot was tipped over.
Liverpool hit Arsenal back with Virgil van Dijk’s long-range shot in the 63rd minute, but was still on target into Bernd Leno’s arms. A minute later, Lacazette again escaped the offside trap, but the Frenchman’s shot was tipped over by Alisson in a one-on-one situation.
Lacazette’s failure was disastrous because Liverpool was able to score a goal in the 88th minute. Liverpool’s new player, Diogo Jota, scored a beautiful goal after receiving Trent’s pass. Jota’s goal made Liverpool close the match against Arsenal with a 3-1 victory.
The following is the composition of Liverpool vs Arsenal players:
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Naby Keita (James Milner, 79 ‘), Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino (Roberto Firmino 90 + 1 ‘), Sadio Mane (Diogo Jota, 80’).
Trainer: Jurgen Klopp
Arsenal (3-4-3): Bernd Leno; Rob Holding, David Luiz, Kieran Tierney; Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka (Dani Ceballos, 60 ‘), Ainsley Maitland-Niles; Willian (Nicolas Pepe, 68 ‘), Alexandre Lacazette (Eddie Nketiah, 73’), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Trainer: Mikel Arteta
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