Liverpool were just one point behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race after beating Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Second-half goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino were enough to seal victory for Jurgen Klopp’s team, who took a few hits before taking control just before game time.
Mohamed Salah started the game on the bench after suffering a minor foot injury in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, with Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz and Jota making up the Reds’ forward line.
Mikel Arteta won’t be happy with the result, but his team remains in fourth place with two games left, one point ahead of Manchester United as Liverpool City are breathing hard.
Virgil van Dijk put Aaron Ramsdale to work early on when he headed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner into the goal, but the Arsenal keeper managed to deflect his palm.
The Gunners spent most of the first half without creating any chances, although Gabriel Martinelli in particular pushed Liverpool down the hosts’ left.
Sadio Mané had the ball in the net early in the second half despite being caught offside before a sloppy play by Thiago allowed Martin Odegaard to score, but Alisson made an excellent save to keep the Norwegian away.
Thiago made up for the error soon after with an excellent deep pass to Jota, whose left-footed shot passed Ramsdale and over the post to put the visitors ahead in the 54th minute.
Klopp made two substitutions soon after, with Jota and Luis Diaz replacing Salah and Firmino, the latter extending the lead shortly after the hour when the Brazilian fired a close-range shot from Andy Robertson. beaten
What this means? Dominating Liverpool gives us a title race
If we’re honest, most people thought it was all over. A few weeks ago, Manchester City were 14 points behind the leaders, while Liverpool were two games behind at the time.
Now, after 29 games apiece, the Reds are just one point behind Pep Guardiola and will lead the league for at least a short time if they avoid losing to Watford at Anfield in their next league game.
Liverpool have won their last nine Premier League games, scoring 23 goals and conceding just two goals in a row. The Reds have won just five of their 15 away league games (U3 N2) this season.
Jack the slot beats the Gunners again
Some players do better against some teams than others. Robbie Fowler had a great record against Arsenal, Roberto Firmino has a great record against Arsenal and Diogo Jota has a great record against check the notes…Arsenal.
The Portuguese international has scored six goals in all competitions in his last five games against North London. In fact, only Jamie Vardy (five) has scored as many away goals as Jota at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal Reds sad record continues
The hosts were more than a game away from Liverpool in the first half but managed to find that extra touch of quality to ensure the result matched their efforts, much like they lost at home to Manchester City earlier in the season. Good game.
Arsenal have won just one of their last 19 meetings with Liverpool in all competitions (U8 N10), winning them 2-1 at home in July 2020 after Klopp’s men had already been crowned champions.
And then?
Arsenal travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, while Liverpool face the FA Cup quarter-finals against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, who knocked out the Gunners in the third round.