Football News: Arsenal v Liverpool

Arsenal v Liverpool A Liverpool Perspective

Not exactly the most exciting of games, with tactical play ruining any moments when the game started to veer close to a good game breaking out. Slot got his initial team selection wrong, probably waited a little too long to change it, but the changes he made did make a difference and meant Liverpool took the midfield over and controlled the play. The first half was very much in favour of Arsenal, they were the better team, but Liverpool defended well and did not give up many clearcut chances, despite the scoreline. Arsenal overloaded the midfield, Havertz dropping in there to add an extra body, and were able to win the midfield battle as Liverpool’s midfield was so lacking in mobility without Szoboszlai. Gravenberch has been mighty this season, but he can only do so much on his own. Make no mistake about it, he was pretty much on his own as Mac Allister was little more than a traffic cone on the pitch for large parts of the match and Jones is not quick enough to get back and help.

It meant the defence was worked hard and showed how far off the pace Robertson is right now, as he was given a bit of a doing by Saka. Luckily for him, and the rest of the team, the centre-backs were on top of their game and restricted Arsenal’s chances. The result was probably a fair one overall, as Arsenal were better in the first half, Liverpool in the second, though both managers made tactical mistakes. Slot got the first 66 minutes wrong, but his subs fixed the mistake and really took control of the game. Arteta got it wrong by setting out his team more defensively at the start of the second half, allowing Liverpool to be the better side by sitting a little deeper and not continuing to overrun the midfield.

What was nice was to see Liverpool use a high press without the ball, though the old basic error of not dropping off when the press was broken returned from last season, leading to Robertson being dumped on his backside by Saka at one point after he was caught out trying to hold a line when the man on the ball was under no pressure. If he had just dropped off, there is a good chance he just sees out that danger, rather than being caught sprinting back to catch the Arsenal winger. Overall, a fair result I would say, but both managers will go away thinking they should have won it and that they only got it half-right tactically.

Arsenal

The whining over injuries overshadowed the fact that they went into this game missing just two players who would have started the game and only one of them was actually injured. Hardly a crisis and, after spending over £700m since taking charge, you have to wonder how come Arteta has still not built a squad at Arsenal that is capable of coping with two first choice players out. Putting that aside, Arsenal did well in the first half, winning it without really creating much in the way of good chances, but were far too ready to sit back and try and hang on to a 2-1 lead in the second half against a Liverpool side that they had been overrunning in midfield. It seems like Arteta has made a conscious decision this season to be more pragmatic. Understandable as he just needs to win something now, but it does not seem to be working as well as he probably hoped.

Added to their diving, whining, time wasting etc, it is starting to make them thoroughly dislikeable as a team, a bit like Brentford, but with much better players. But, if you are an Arsenal fan, you will not care about that one bit if it finally brings them the Premier League title back. It does feel like a waste of the potential there, this team is not at the level of the great Wenger teams, admittedly, there is no Henry (but then where is a player of that quality these days anywhere in the world?), Vieira or the sublime skills and touch of Bergkamp in this team to play the game the way he did. But it still feels like there is more to this team than sitting back and holding onto a one-goal lead. Still, if Arteta does a George Graham and grinds out 1-0 wins all season and they get to lift the Premier League trophy at Ashburton Grove, the fans will be as happy and enjoy their celebrations as much as if they had won every game 5-4. In fact, they would probably enjoy it all the more because pretty much everyone else will hate it!

Liverpool

Kelleher – he had a decent game, the problem is that he is being compared against the best and it is fair to say that Alisson would probably have saved one of the goals. Kelleher is a very good goalkeeper, but he is nowhere near Alisson’s level and it shows in games like this, when small margins make the difference. Also, it is clear that, despite the commentators talk about how he played midfield back in Cork, he is simply not as good with the ball at his feet as Alisson is. Kelleher’s passing is not as accurate and that point of attack is a big part of the system Slot has set up, with the passing around at the back mainly to set a trap for the opposition, to create a space for him to play the ball into. Unfortunately, Kelleher is not able to maximise the potential there to launch attacks, so it often just ends up with pressure on the backline or the ball given away.

Alexander-Arnold – had a poor game, he was struggling badly with his passing (perhaps a consequence of carrying an injury), with his usual accurate passes just ending up sliced and given away. Despite that, his ball out to Nunez to set him away for the second Liverpool goal, was delicious.

Konate – a very good game, he defended solidly, covering up the gaps as the midfield was overrun. He and van Dijk ensured Arsenal had very few real chances and just one corner in the entire match. In fact, I think he has to be man of the match for Liverpool.

van Dijk – also very good, his long range passes usually finding their mark. Defensively he was solid too.

Robertson – sad to say, but he looks like a fading force right now. It very much looks like his legs are going and he is a weak link for any winger to target now. Replacing him is going to be incredibly difficult, mainly because of his outstanding personality and personal drive to give everything to the cause. He is one of those personalities that is great to have around the place for the youngsters breaking through as well.

Gravenberch – his worst game of the season, though he still had a decent game. It was just that he was being overrun as there were no legs in there other than him. He spent most of the game covering the gaps Mac Allister was leaving, which then left a gap where he should have been that normally Szobszlai would have dropped back to cover, but Jones has nowhere near the mobility needed to get back in time.

Mac Allister – terrible performance, a couple of bright moments aside when he got the ball at his feet and picked some nice threaded passes. It is little wonder he was replaced, though I would have replaced him at half-time personally or even sooner. Yes, he has the ability to pick nice passes, yes, he can always be counted on to work hard, but he drifts forward too far constantly and leaves a huge gap behind him which he lacks the pace to get back into. It should be either him or Jones in the team, not both.

Jones – struggled to get involved until the triple substitution on 62 minutes. Then he was much better. He has much more of an all-round game than Mac Allister, as a defensive midfielder anyway. It seemed odd that Slot decided to play him in front of Mac Allister, rather than the other way around. I would have to call that a mistake and it held Liverpool back badly.

Nunez – linked up well with Salah when the opportunity came, but was very much starved of service for most of the game. He did press well and kept Arsenal from being able to make use of their dominance in midfield, with Havertz dropping in to give them the edge in numbers, as well as mobility. Nunez was always willing to drop back in and cover gaps. His workrate is a very important factor in tight matches like that.

Salah – once more adding to his tally and giving their defence a really difficult game. When he is sharp like that, even though he has not got the blistering pace he used to have, he is still incredibly difficult to handle for any defence.

Diaz – unfortunately for him, Partey was very adept at diving to win free kicks every time he was near him, so he never really got a chance to do anything. It was incredible how strong he must be to throw Partey about the way the referee seemed to believe he was doing. It was little wonder he got fed up.

Szoboszlai – replaced Mac Allister in the 62nd minute. Immediately improved the midfield and got involved in pretty much everything. For all he has not been at his best this season, his workrate and particularly his tracking back, have been essential to the team’s performances. If only he would shoot when the chance arises!

Gakpo – came on for Diaz in 62nd minute. He had obviously been watching what happened with Diaz, as he made sure not to physically engage with Partey and instead used him movement to get space.

Tsimikas – took Robertson’s place in the 62nd minute. Looked much more solid than Robertson and offered more getting forward as well. It might well be time to swap over which of them is the first choice.

Endo – was brought on in place of Jones in the 90th+1 minute. It was far too late for him to have any real effect. It is a shame to see him so massively underutilised, similarly to how Klopp wasted Minamino a few years ago. I could understand him being out of the picture if Mac Allister was not playing so badly in the deeper role. At least Endo offers competitiveness.

Written by Tris Burke October 30 2024 04:55:48