Many things have changed in football this year. The fans are now forced to watch on from home, replaced by the often delayed and video game-like crowd noise. Yet, amid all of the change, one thing still remained at Anfield as Arsenal travelled in hope of victory only to be met by defeat once more in Merseyside against Liverpool.
The often powerful you’ll never walk alone may have been met with a crowd-less silence, but once the opening whistle was blown, Liverpool were as ruthless as ever to maintain their perfect start to the season.
Jota Scores First Liverpool Goal to Defeat Arsenal at Anfield
Robertson Mistake Quickly Redeemed
From the off, Liverpool were dominant; Arsenal didn’t even look likely to get near the Liverpool half, let alone the box. Yet, come the 25th minute, and Alisson Becker was picking the ball out of his net following Alexandre Lacazette’s opening goal.
Somehow, someway, amid the constant flow of Liverpool dominance, Arsenal had found the goal to take the lead. One miskick from Andy Robertson and Liverpool’s composed and impressive start turned into a potentially damaging one.
Many sides would have collapsed at that point; Manchester City, just last night, failed to respond in the face of a Leicester City goal, going on to lose as a result. The same fate could have faced Jurgen Klopp’s side, too, if it wasn’t for their champion like mentality to bounce back just two minutes later.
Sadio Mané’s equaliser would have signalled a sigh a relief from left-back Andy Robertson who watched on as his counterpart tapped home the rebound to make the scores level and redeem his own earlier mistake.
Robertson himself then earned redemption once and fall all, tapping home to hand Trent Alexander-Arnold a second assist of the night and to hand Liverpool a much-deserved lead. So often, the Scottsman is the man putting the ball on a plate for Liverpool to score. This time, however, he was the one feasting on the genius of Alexander-Arnold’s passing capabilities.
Alisson Ensures Liverpool Lead Before Jota Finishes the Game
Much was made of Alisson Becker’s fitness prior to the game against Arsenal. Many questioned whether the Brazilian would even start following reported injury concerns. And this rightfully worried Liverpool fans because after all, Alisson is often the difference-maker in what is a Reds’ side for the ages.
With all the talking, and the worrying done, however, Alisson walked onto the Anfield pitch as if injury concerns had been a mere fabrication. And, come the second half, the Brazilian put any doubts of injury aside to ensure Liverpool’s lead, crucially preventing a Laccazette brace.
And so the stage was set for Diogo Jota to volley the icing onto the Liverpool cake at Anfield. The Portuguese international entered the field before firing home to round off the performance of champions at Anfield.
Fans, unfortunately still watching from home, would have been impressed with the Premier League champions and new signing Jota as Liverpool swept Arteta’s Arsenal side away for the first time.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
