Liverpool vs Arsenal live: Reds record emphatic 3-1 victory as Gunners suffer yet another decisive setback
Follow the latest from the Premier League clash at Anfield
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool overtook Arsenal to jump into third place in the Premier League table after recording an emphatic 3-1 victory over Arsene Wenger's side, with the biggest talking point being his decision to leave Alexis Sanchez out of the starting line-up only to go 2-0 down before half-time. Re-live the action here.
- Liverpool beat Arsenal 3-1
- Reds take the lead through ninth-minute strike from Roberto Firmino
- Sadio Mane doubles the advantage midway through the first half
- Wenger sent Sanchez on at half-time to try and claw back the match
- Sanchez set-up Danny Welbeck to score shortly after
- Georginio Wijnaldum completes scoring with counter-attack in final minute
- Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Klavan, Matip, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Mane, Firmino.
- Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Xhaka, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Welbeck, Giroud.
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Preview...
Liverpool will hope to bounce back from defeat when they host Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday night.
Jurgen Klopp's side were abysmal in Monday's reverse at struggling Leicester City, but they have only tended to struggle when against Premier League's lesser lights.
The last time Arsenal were in action, Wayne Shaw was still Sutton United's reserve goalkeeper. It's been almost a fortnight without a competitive fixture for Arsène Wenger's men.
What time is kick-off?
The match will kick off at 5.30pm on Saturday 4 March at Anfield.
Where can I watch it?
It will be shown live on BT Sport 1, with coverage starting at 5.00pm.
It’s a big game for…
Jurgen Klopp: The German admitted after Liverpool's defeat by Leicester that matters are “getting more serious now”, arguing that his own future could be on the line should his side’s poor run of form continue. Klopp knows how whimsical football can be and as the Reds continue to dwell outside of the top four, the spotlight has subsequently turned to him.
Still, Liverpool’s form against the league’s top teams bodes well (they’re currently unbeaten against their top-six rivals) and if Klopp’s men can brush aside Arsenal on Saturday, victory will bring some much-needed relief to Anfield following a difficult couple of weeks for the club.
Remember when…
The Gunners were humiliated 5-1 at Anfield in 2014? Goals from Martin Skrtel, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge fired the home side to an impressive victory against a lifeless-looking Arsenal side.
Player to watch…
Philippe Coutinho: The Brazilian was perhaps Liverpool’s only consistent attacking threat in the side’s 3-1 defeat on Monday night. His goal was not enough to provoke a fight back from the visitors but it showcased his ability to create something out of a seemingly lost cause. Should Liverpool find themselves with their backs against the wall on Saturday, Coutinho could be the man who Anfield subsequently turns to.
Past three meetings…
Arsenal 3 Liverpool 4
Premier League, August 2016
Liverpool 3 Arsenal 3
Premier League, January 2016
Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0
Premier League, August 2015
Predicted line-ups…
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Lallana, Can; Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho.
Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Gibbs; Ramsey, Xhaka; Walcott, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sanchez.
Form guide…
Liverpool: LWLDLL
Arsenal: WLWLLW
Odds…
Odds provided by 888.com
Liverpool to win: 28/25
Arsenal to win: 13/5
Draw: 49/20
45 MINS
There will be a minimum of two minutes of additional time in this half.
HALF TIME
Liverpool head into the interval with a two-goal advantage and a very impressive first half display under their belt. The opener was scored by Firmino from close range and then Mane doubled their tally with a powerful strike following some top team play. The Gunners looked lacklustre, unorganised and weak across all areas of the pitch which will not work in Wenger's favour when considering his future with the club. Sanchez remains sidelined, but for how long?
You do not want to miss this. Stay tuned for live updates of the second half.
Half time substitution: Sanchez replaces Coquelin.
Could this make the difference? We'll see.
48 MINS
Monreal delivers a whipped ball across the face of goal and Giroud leaps and connects tremendously with the header. Mignolet leaps up and parries the ball over the bar.
If Giroud receives the service, he will cause a problem.
51 MINS
Iwobi goes to ground after a tough challenge from Can. Arsenal have come out from the interval with fire in their belly, that's for sure.
52 MINS
Xhaka delivers the set piece into the box towards Giroud, but it's just slightly over-hit. The offside flag is raised to bring the attack to an early end.
53 MINS
Coutinho forces a foul from Mustafi on the edge of the Arsenal box. That's clever stuff from the Brazilian.